The impact of recycling on the productivity of Municipal Solid Waste: a comparison of the Malmquist and Malmquist-Luenberger Productivity Indexes

ABSTRACT

Enhancing the economic and environmental efficiency of municipal solid waste (MSW) management is crucial for transitioning to a circular economy and achieving cost-efficient and sustainable waste practices. In this study, we introduce an innovative approach to examine the influence of MSW recycling on waste performance over multiple years. We employ a non-parametric method to assess and compare the Malmquist Productivity Index (MPI) and the Malmquist-Luenberger Productivity Index (MLPI) across 143 municipalities in Chile from 2015 to 2019. The findings reveal a positive trend in both MPI and MLPI. The average eco-productivity change (MLPI) is relatively lower than the average productivity change (MPI) throughout the evaluated years. The aggregated scores for MPI and MLPI between 2015 and 2019 stand at 2.73 and 1.33, respectively. The primary driver of productivity change is attributed to technical advancements, leading to a shift in the efficient frontier, while eco-productivity change predominantly arises from efficiency enhancements. This implies that municipalities have employed diverse strategies to enhance their economic and environmental performance. The results and implications of this study hold significance for policymakers at regional and local levels, offering valuable insights for optimising MSW management within the context of a circular economy.

KEYWORDS:

• Waste management
• productivity change
• eco-productivity change
• Malmquist Productivity Index (MPI)
• Malmquist-luenberger Productivity index (MPI)
• circular economy

Nomenclature

DEA	=	Data Envelopment Analysis
DMUs	=	Decision Making Unit
MLECH	=	Malmquist-Luenberger Efficiency Change
MLTCH	=	Malmquist-Luenberger Technical Change
MPI	=	Malmquist Productivity Index
MLPI	=	Malmquist-Luenberger Productivity Index
MSW	=	Municipal Solid Waste
SFA	=	Stochastic Frontier Analysis
SINADER	=	National System of Waste Declaration
SINIM	=	National Municipal Information System

Highlights

• The dynamic performance of municipal solid waste management was assessed.

• Productivity and eco-productivity metrics were compared for Chilean municipalities.

• Economic and environmental performance of municipalities improved across years.

Acknowledgments

The authors are grateful for support from the following sources: CEDEUS, ANID/FONDAP 15110020 (María Molinos-Senante), ANID Fondecyt Regular 1210077 (María Molinos-Senante), ANID Beca Doctorado Nacional 21182091 (Paula Llanquileo-Melgarejo).

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Data availability statement

The data that support this research and other findings of this paper are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request of each reader.

Notes

1. On 9th February, the conversion rate was 1€ $\cong$ 942 CLP and 1 US$ $\cong$ 824 CLP

Additional information

Funding

The work was supported by the Agencia Nacional de Investigación y Desarrollo [Fondecyt 1210077].

Notes on contributors

Paula Llanquileo-Melgarejo

Paula Llanquileo Melgarejo is bachelor in chemical engineering and PhD candidate on hydraulic and environmental engineering at Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile.

María Molinos-Senante

María Molinos-Senante is PhD on Local Development and researcher at Centre for Sustainable Development.