Green nudging - A key against littering? Behavioral economic measures for cleaner cities

Arbeitspapier

The demand for cleanliness in cities is increasing: "Littering" - the illegal littering of public spaces - does not only cause costs for the environment and society, but also has significant financial consequences through increased cleaning costs. Much of the littering consists of "to-go" packaging, plastic bottles, and cigarette butts. Currently, the problem is predominantly addressed with laws, fines, and education campaigns. Politicians and the media are also putting the appearance of cities on the agenda, but classic instruments such as controls by municipal law enforcement officers and harsh sanctions against "litterers" are reaching their limits in solving the problem. In addition to classic environmental policy instruments, the tools of behavioral economics can make a complementary contribution in solving the problem: by influencing people's daily habits, green nudges can encourage people to reduce littering, thereby improving urban cleanliness.

Object Details

• Language: Englisch

References and Relationships

• Bibliographic citation: Series: IW-Policy Paper ; No. 10/2023

Classification and Topics

• Classification: Wirtschaft ; Micro-Based Behavioral Economics: Role and Effects of Psychological, Emotional, Social, and Cognitive Factors on Decision Making‡ ; Public Economics: General ; Taxation and Subsidies: Externalities; Redistributive Effects; Environmental Taxes and Subsidies

Contributors, Places and Time

• Event: Geistige Schöpfung
• (who): Potthoff, Jennifer
• Event: Veröffentlichung
• (who): Institut der deutschen Wirtschaft (IW)
• (where): Köln
• (when): 2023

Further information

• Handle: http://hdl.handle.net/10419/283604
• Last update: 10.03.2025, 11:45 AM CET