Work

The Economic Benefit of Recycling: An Application of Travel Cost Method to Estimate the Consumer Surplus

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: This article presents the first analysis in the literature that measures the economic benefit of drop-off recycling in terms of consumer surplus (CS). CS, a measure of the economic benefit that consumers receive from participating in economic activities, is estimated using a single-site travel cost method application based on survey data. Our findings indicate that the total CS residents of Monongalia County receive from drop-off recycling is $1,317,960 annually.

Source: Journal of Benefit-Cost Analysis

DOI: 10.1017/bca.2025.10037

Authors: Julian J. Hwang, Nadiatu Issaka

Institutions: Texas A&M University, West Virginia University

Language: English

Topic: Economic and Environmental Valuation

Subfield: Economics and Econometrics

Field: Economics, Econometrics and Finance

Domain: Social Sciences

SDGs: Responsible consumption and production, Sustainable cities and communities, No poverty

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $3,550