Paper Details

In order to minimize landfill usage, save resources, and lower greenhouse gas emissions, sustainable waste management is crucial. The two main strategies used by recycling policies across the world to promote household involvement are financial incentives and social pressure. While social pressure makes use of behavioral expectations and societal standards, economic incentives like tax breaks and subsidies offer cash motivation. Both South Korea and Sweden, which are renowned for having high recycling rates, handle trash in different ways. In order to ensure compliance and sustain a recycling rate over 50%, with additional trash being turned into energy, Sweden's Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) system imposes financial incentives and penalties. On the other hand, recycling rates in South Korea surpass 60% thanks to the Volume-Based garbage Fee (VBWF) system, which requires the usage of garbage bags that have been certified by the government. Strict rules, public awareness efforts, and societal expectations all work to promote collective accountability. The usefulness of these opposing theories in maintaining long-term recycling behavior is assessed in this study. While social pressure promotes accountability but need strict enforcement, financial incentives may not ensure long-lasting behaviors. This study gives insights into successful recycling systems and suggests ways to combine financial incentives with community-driven participation to increase home recycling globally by examining regulatory frameworks, cultural dynamics, and economic benefits.

Sustainable Waste Management, environmental policy, cross national comparison, recycling behavior, behavioral economics