Distance and incentives matter: The separation of recyclable municipal waste

- Measures for increasing municipal waste separation rates were examined.
- Kerbside collection improves waste separation rate by 40% compared to drop-off sites.
- Implementing an incentive program can double the existing waste separation rates.

The effects of two common systems of waste separation such as drop-off sites collection and kerbside collection, and the addition of an incentive program in small communities of the Czech Republic were investigated. Our findings suggest that the paper and plastics separation rates of total municipal solid waste are 7.7% for drop-off sites and 9.7% for kerbside collection system. If we add an incentive program, the separated paper and plastics rate can reach more than 17%, which represents a significant increase of the separation rate. Additionally, higher density of drop-off sites can also increase separation rate, but the effect is relatively low, and this approach is often not economical.