Economic instruments and waste minimization: the need for discard-relevant and purchase-relevant instruments

In this paper we provide a conceptual framework for categorizing economic instruments relevant to waste minimization. Instruments are categorized as purchase-relevant, discard-relevant, or jointly-relevant. It is argued that a mix of instruments from the above categories will increase the ability of a waste-minimization programme to achieve high waste-reduction targets without imposing excessive cost on the economy. The exact mix will depend on the elements included in the strategy and the focal points for behavioural change. It is likely that the effective participation of householders could be increased by discard-relevant or jointly-relevant instruments such as residential waste-collection fees or potentially refundable product levies. We anticipate that brand owners will call for the implementation of such instruments to help in meeting their packaging-recovery responsibilities.