Evaluation and Policy Analysis on the Recycling System of PET Bottles

Abstract
Recently, PET bottles are circulating voluminously as beverage containers. However, it is difficult to say that the recycling of PET bottles is succeeding. Regarding the recycling of PET bottles, since the containers and packaging recycling law was implemented in 1997, it has operated full scale, although it remains now at about 20% of the collection rate of 1999. We want to carry out a comprehensive evaluation using the social cost benefit analysis regarding tackling of recycling of PET bottles in local governments. The social net benefit, including the external benefit, is increased by the decrease of environmental load in all 3 case study cities, but obtained the result of minus value. The recycling of PET bottles is becoming a big economic burden in local governments and it is requested to reform the recycling policy based on the beneficiary pay principle by the adjustment of the producer's responsibility.

Key words: PET bottles, the containers and packaging recycling law, social cost benefit analysis, environmental load evaluation, comprehensive evaluation