Does a zero-waste strategy in sustainable urban waste management affect hierarchy targets and costs?

Abstract

In this study, the effects and costs of adopting a zero-waste (ZW) strategy were evaluated. Using the propensity score matching method and data on Italian municipalities from 2019, our empirical analysis indicates that the separate collection rate was approximately 4% higher and urban unsorted waste was approximately 22–26 kg per capita lower for municipalities that have formally adopted the ZW strategy, confirming its effectiveness in fostering sustainable waste management. The cost for inhabitants was 13–16 euros higher for ZW municipalities than non-ZW municipalities, which confirms the importance of balancing through the sale of recycling materials.