Norm-based feedback on household waste: Large-scale field experiments in two Swedish municipalities

• 成果类型: Article
• 署名作者: Ek, Claes; Soderberg, Magnus
• 署名单位: University of Gothenburg; Griffith University; Griffith University - Gold Coast Campus
• 刊物名称: JOURNAL OF PUBLIC ECONOMICS
• ISSN/ISSBN: 0047-2727
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jpubeco.2024.105191
• 发表日期: 2024
• 关键词: Household waste; Norm-based feedback; Social comparisons; Unit-based pricing; Welfare cost of nudging

摘要

We conduct two large-scale randomized controlled trials to produce the first evidence that Home Energy Report-type norm feedback letters can be used to reduce household waste. We explore several feedback variants, including a novel short-run dynamic norm that emphasizes ongoing changes in waste behavior. Waste reductions are on the order of 7%-12% for all treatments, substantially larger than usually found in the energy or water domains. Effects are mostly driven by increased recycling of packaging and remain largely intact a year after the intervention ended. Feedback is highly cost-effective compared to alternative non-price waste policies. However, net social benefits depend on household preferences for receiving feedback, which we elicit in a valuation survey, and whether existing waste fees internalize the marginal social cost of waste.