Assessing the dynamic eco-efficiency of Italian municipalities by accounting for the ownership of the entrusted waste utilities. (December 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Romano, Giulia; Molinos-Senante, María; Carosi, Laura; Llanquileo-Melgarejo, Paula; Sala-Garrido, Ramón; Mocholi-Arce, Manuel
• Is Part Of: Utilities policy. Volume 73(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-12
• Subjects: Municipal solid waste -- Waste utilities -- Ownership -- Privatization; Public utilities -- United States -- Periodicals; Public utilities -- Government policy -- United States -- Periodicals; 363.6
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jup.2021.101311
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0957-1787

Abstract

Abstract: This study evaluates and compares the dynamic eco-efficiency of municipalities with publicly owned, privately owned, and mixed ownership solid waste utilities by estimating the Meta-frontier Malmquist-Luenberger productivity index for a sample of 68 major Italian towns. On average, the eco-productivity of Italian waste service providers increased by 8% from 2016 to 2019. Although municipalities with private utilities improved their eco-productivity most, the differences among the three clusters reflecting utility ownership are not statistically significant. The results show that publicly owned waste operators drive technology and that the technological levels of private utilities have deteriorated relative to global technological progress. Highlights: Eco-productivity of Italian waste service providers increased from 2016 to 2019. Differences in eco-productivity according to utility ownership are not significant. Technology is driven by publicly-owned waste operators. The technological levels of private utilities have deteriorated.