Norm-based feedback on household waste: Large-scale field experiments in two Swedish municipalities

Loading...
Thumbnail Image
File version

Version of Record (VoR)

Author(s)
Ek, Claes
Söderberg, Magnus
Griffith University Author(s)
Primary Supervisor
Other Supervisors
Editor(s)
Date
2024
Size
File type(s)
Location
Abstract

We conduct two large-scale randomized controlled trials to produce the first evidence that Home Energy Report-type norm feedback letters can be used to reduce household waste. We explore several feedback variants, including a novel short-run dynamic norm that emphasizes ongoing changes in waste behavior. Waste reductions are on the order of 7%–12% for all treatments, substantially larger than usually found in the energy or water domains. Effects are mostly driven by increased recycling of packaging and remain largely intact a year after the intervention ended. Feedback is highly cost-effective compared to alternative non-price waste policies. However, net social benefits depend on household preferences for receiving feedback, which we elicit in a valuation survey, and whether existing waste fees internalize the marginal social cost of waste.

Journal Title

Journal of Public Economics

Conference Title
Book Title
Edition
Volume

238

Issue
Thesis Type
Degree Program
School
Publisher link
Patent number
Funder(s)
Grant identifier(s)
Rights Statement
Rights Statement

© 2024 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier B.V. This is an open access article under the CC BY license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).

Item Access Status
Note
Access the data
Related item(s)
Subject
Persistent link to this record
Citation

Ek, C; Söderberg, M, Norm-based feedback on household waste: Large-scale field experiments in two Swedish municipalities, Journal of Public Economics, 2024, 238, pp. 105191

Collections