DETERMINANTS OF PER-CAPITA MUNICIPAL SOLID-WASTE GENERATION IN THE SOUTHEASTERN UNITED-STATES

The aim of this study is to identify and measure the variables which i nfluence per capita municipal solid waste generation in the south-east ern U.S., using the 100 counties of North Carolina as a data set and r egression models for statistical analysis. Variables are selected to c apture the residential, institutional and commercial components of the municipal solid waste stream, as well as the overall structure of was te management through inclusion of waste disposal fees. An additional goal of this study is to examine the influence of the components of re tail sales, including sales of restaurants, merchandise, food stores a nd clothing stores, on per capita municipal solid waste generation, as it has been suggested that retail industries contribute significantly to waste generation. The results indicate the retail sales and the wa ste disposal fee are significant determinants of waste generation, whi le variables to account for manufacturing, construction, personal inco me, and degree of urbanization did not prove to be significant. Of the components of retail sales, per capita sales of eating establishments proved to have the greatest influence on waste generation. Policy imp lications are that an increasing effort should be made to focus on eat ing establishments and to establish appropriate tipping fees if a goal of waste reduction is to be achieved. (C) 1995 Academic Press Limited