Discontinuous behavioral responses to recycling laws and plastic water bottle deposits
By: W. Kip Viscusi, Joel Huber, Jason Bell, Caroline Cecot.
Contributors: Viscusi, W. Kip.; National Bureau of Economic Research.
Series: NBER working paper series -- working paper 15585; Working paper series (National Bureau of Economic Research : Online) -- working paper no. 15585.
Publisher: National Bureau of Economic Research
Published: 2009
Place of publication: Cambridge, MA
Language: eng
Format: Electronic resource
Description: "This article examines the effects of recycling and deposit laws on consumer recycling of plastic water bottles using a nationally representative sample of 2,550 bottled water users.  Economic theory predicts individual behavior that gravitates toward extremes --either diligent recycling or no recycling at all.  This pattern is borne out in actual recycling behavior.  Both water bottle deposits and recycling laws foster recycling behavior through a discontinuous effect that converts reluctant recyclers into diligent recyclers.  More stringent recycling laws have a greater effect on recycling rates.  The efficacy of these interventions is greatest for those who would not already recycle and especially for those in lower income groups or who do not consider themselves to be environmentalists"--National Bureau of Economic Research web site.
Notes: Title from PDF file as viewed on 12/29/2009.

Includes bibliographical references.

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