Policy Barriers To 50% Diversion of Municipal Solid Waste

A number of policy barriers must be addressed by the governments in Europe and North America which have adopted objectives of diverting from disposal something like 50% of the solid waste stream by means of reduction, re-use and recycling. These include: the need for clarification of responsibilities of all levels of government and of private sector product manufacturers and waste disposers; putting in place incentives for source separation; ensuring markets for recyclables; and allocating the increased cost of waste management. This paper reports on findings of a research project undertaken in 1991-92 on steps being taken by different jurisdictions to overcome such barriers.