The Economic Organization of Refuse Collection

Dennis R. Young
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Dennis R. Young: State University of New York The Urban Institute (Washington, D.C.)

Public Finance Review, 1974, vol. 2, issue 1, 43-72

Abstract: Under the influence of two important developments–major deterioration of public refuse collection in some large cities and growth of a vigorous private solid waste management sector–important changes in the organization of urban refuse collection appear imminent. Since refuse collection has some economic characteristics of public utilities, and because it is a service bearing importantly on public health and safety, a regulated monopoly structure has been advocated for providing this service under private management. This paper analyzes several different modes of organizing refuse collection and concludes that a competitive economic framework is both feasible and desirable. The suggested competitive arrangement, involving direct competition for accounts in high-density areas and competition for contracts in low-density areas, provides for both private profit-making and public nonprofit participation.

Date: 1974
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:sae:pubfin:v:2:y:1974:i:1:p:43-72

DOI: 10.1177/109114217400200103

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