Extended producer responsibility instruments and innovation in eco-design: An exploration through a simulation model

Eric Brouillat () and Vanessa Oltra

Ecological Economics, 2012, vol. 83, issue C, 236-245

Abstract: This paper presents an agent-based simulation model that models both economical and physical relations between firms, recyclers and consumers. This framework allows an investigation into the connection between physical environmental variables (waste flows, virgin material flows) and economic decisions of agents in the product chain i.e. firms innovation strategies, consumers choices and development of recycling activities. The paper highlights the value of using agent-based modeling as an operational tool to investigate the effect of waste prevention policy on economic and technological decisions of agents. We focus on three types of extended producer responsibility (EPR) instruments, which are recycling fees, tax-subsidy and norms. The simulation results show that the impact of each instrument depends on the policy design, in particular on the level of stringency and on the reward system which is implemented. We show that only tax-subsidy systems and stringent norms can lead to radical innovations and to significant changes in product designs. In the case of tax-subsidy, the impact relies more on an innovation effect, while in the case of norm it mainly relies on a selection effect.

Keywords: Extended producer responsibility; Eco-innovation; Policy instruments; Simulation models (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: D21 O33 Q53 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2012
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (22)

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Related works:
Working Paper: Extended producer responsability instruments and innovation in eco-design: an exploration through a simulation model (2012)
Working Paper: Extended producer responsibility instruments and innovation in eco-design: an exploration through a simulation model (2011)
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:ecolec:v:83:y:2012:i:c:p:236-245

DOI: 10.1016/j.ecolecon.2012.07.007

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