Improving efficiency in the MSW collection and disposal service combining price cap and yardstick regulation: The Italian case

Di Foggia, Giacomo and Beccarello, Massimo (2018): Improving efficiency in the MSW collection and disposal service combining price cap and yardstick regulation: The Italian case. Published in: Waste Management No. 79 (2018): pp. 223-231.

Abstract

The municipal solid waste collection and disposal service is a key element of the European strategy aimed at moving towards a circular economy. An efficient municipal solid waste collection and disposal is closely related to both lower waste tax and higher welfare of the interested population. In Italy, the lack of a centralized regulatory framework has determined heterogeneous performances of sector operators across the country. Firstly, we will be estimating the productive efficiency in different optimal territorial areas and secondly we will be forecasting the economic benefits that would arise under a new regulatory regime. Our approach combines the well-known yardstick competition and the price-cap mechanisms. Results suggest that if all territorial areas converged to the most efficient ones, a potential saving between 12% and 19% emerges, i.e., up to €2bn savings out of €10.05bn total tax revenue in 2015

• Item Type: MPRA Paper
• Language: English
• Keywords: waste management; waste tax; regulation; environment economics;price-cap; waste regulation; incentive regulation
• Subjects: K - Law and Economics > K2 - Regulation and Business Law; L - Industrial Organization > L5 - Regulation and Industrial Policy > L52 - Industrial Policy ; Sectoral Planning Methods; Q - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics ; Environmental and Ecological Economics > Q5 - Environmental Economics > Q53 - Air Pollution ; Water Pollution ; Noise ; Hazardous Waste ; Solid Waste ; Recycling

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