Poorer and less political fragmented Dutch municipalities take tighter waste reduction decisions

Abstract

This study investigates the drivers of unit-based pricing systems for waste in the Netherlands using an administrative database from 1999 until 2017. As these unit based pricing systems are effective in reducing waste, more and more Dutch municipalities adopt these programs. Based on their incentive, systems are ranged from green ('weight' or 'bag') to less green ('frequency' or 'volume'), or not green ('flat rate'). In one-third of the municipalities shifts took place from one unit-based pricing system to the other, with 84 percent becoming greener and 16 percent less green. There is some evidence for political motivation of these shifts. Particularly, Social Liberals councilors are in favor of waste pricing, whereas Social Democrats councilors are not in favor. In addition, municipalities in low income and less political fragmented councils are more in favor of waste pricing.

Keywords: Fragmentation; Greener; Ideological motivation; Local government; Unit-based waste pricing.