Let the citizens speak: An empirical economic analysis of domestic organic waste for community composting in Tuscany. (15th July 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Marcello, Basili; Di Gennaro, Valentina; Ferrini, Silvia
• Is Part Of: Journal of cleaner production. Volume 306(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-07-15
• Subjects: Community composting -- Domestic organic waste -- Recycling -- Sustainable development -- Citizens behaviour; Q53 -- Q56; Factory and trade waste -- Management -- Periodicals; Manufactures -- Environmental aspects -- Periodicals; Déchets industriels -- Gestion -- Périodiques; Usines -- Aspect de l'environnement -- Périodiques; 628.5
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jclepro.2021.127263
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0959-6526

Abstract

Abstract: Organic waste represents an opportunity and a challenge for policy decision makers and lately the attention has been focusing on community composting practices identifying the environmental and/or economic aspects. Evidence of citizens' attitudes and preferences is scarce, and this paper aims to fill this gap. The results of a contingent valuation survey in three councils of the Province of Siena, Tuscany (Italy) are reported along with an extended cost-benefit analysis. Results echo previous findings that GHGs emissions and money-saving for all municipalities are positive and encouraging; moreover, our study proves that citizens are keen to switch to the community recycling composter system. Citizens present heterogeneous preferences and accordingly to the current waste management system they might need a small financial compensation to switch in favour of the local community system. Graphical abstract: Image 1 Highlights: The paper evaluates environmental and economic sustainability of a community composting system by Contingent Valuation Method. 92% of citizens are willing to participate in local community recycling of organic waste with minimal monetary compensation. GHGs accounting and CBA results endorse the community recycling composter as a promising opportunity to reduce waste and recycle resources. Cost-Benefit Analysis shows a net positive revenue for the community compost system. Results support a switch towards local recycling facilities.