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Similar problems, different solutions: comparing refuse collection in the Netherlands and Spain
Germà Bel1, Xavier Fageda, Elbert Dijkgraaf
1Department of Economic Policy, University of Barcelona.
Public Administration
|August 24, 2010
Summary
Local governments in Spain and The Netherlands manage solid waste collection differently. Spain favors privatization and cooperation, while The Netherlands leans towards competition, influenced by municipality size and political systems.
Area of Science:
- Public Administration
- Environmental Management
- Comparative Policy Analysis
Background:
- Local public service provision varies due to institutional, market, and national differences.
- Government intervention traditions impact how public services are arranged.
- Solid waste collection is a key local public service influenced by these factors.
Observation:
- This study compares solid waste collection provision in The Netherlands and Spain.
- Differences in municipal size and political systems are noted between the two countries.
- The study examines the trade-offs between transaction costs and economies of scale.
Findings:
- Spain frequently uses privatization and cooperation, potentially limiting competition.
- The Netherlands, with larger municipalities, relies more on competition than privatization or cooperation.
- Both cooperation and competition strategies have advantages for balancing costs and scale.
Implications:
- Municipal size and political system characteristics influence organizational reforms in public service delivery.
- Understanding these factors can inform more efficient solid waste management strategies.
- Comparative analysis highlights diverse approaches to local public service provision.
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