Onderzoek naar gemeentelijk plastic recyclingbeleid; case study in gemeenten Utrecht en Nieuwegein.

Abstract

Executive summary On the 27th of July in 2007, the Ministry of VROM, the Union of Dutch governments and the packaging companies agreed on a new integral goal for plastic waste recycling. Based on this agreement, they set an integral goal to recycle 42% of the plastic waste in 2012. The recycle rate of 42 % equals 19,5 ton of plastic waste a household a year. This thesis explores which factors can be identified for successful local municipal plastic recycling policy. This thesis compares two municipalities: Utrecht and Nieuwegein. Out of intensive study, conclusions can be drawn. Nieuwegein has a far more effective policy than Utrecht does. Nieuwegein has a combination of a take in- and a bring system, there where Utrecht only has a bring system. The combination system of Nieuwegein is more effective. The costs are higher, but the response (the amount of waste collected in tons) is much higher than compared to the bring system. Utrecht doesn’t have the ambition to implement progressive policy. They are concerned that the subsidies for waste collection per ton will vanish after 2012. Nieuwegein has an innovative and progressive policy and really tries hard to achieve the nationwide 42% goal. This thesis shows that results from the literature are comparable with empirical data. The central question in this thesis therefore can be answered: which factors are important for successful municipal plastic recycling policy: • Collection System • Costs • Communication • Acceptance The case studies show that there is a great difference in efficiency between the different collection systems. The collection system is the most determent factor for successful recycling policy. Costs are actually an interdependent variable, which is dependent of the collection method. Costs alone can never be determent for the success or failure of policy. Communication and a broad social basis are the least important factors in this thesis. This can be explained from the fact that multiple sources prove that there is a broad social base for plastic waste separation and collection. Besides a broad social basis, the communication is well organised. The case studies don’t show new insights on these factors. Results from both municipalities show that they are not going to achieve the nationwide 42% goal. Nieuwegein gets close: their own goal is to collect 15 kg a household a year. Utrecht sets their standard less lower: their own goal is to collect 2.5 kg a household a year.