Empirical evidence on recycling and trade in paper and lead in developed and developing countries

Abstract

Empirical evidence on recycling at a global scale is scant. Often data on recycling are provided on national levels only. The few obtainable cross-country studies on recycling are mostly focussed on one particular material or region. Therefore, it is difficult to draw general conclusions on recycling in developed and developing countries. An aggregated overview of trade and recycling in both regions was presented in Chapter 1. It was recognised that trade in secondary materials from developed to developing countries has increased significantly in the last three decades. This typical trade pattern is a strong indication for specialisation in the recycling sector of both regions.

This chapter is based on P.J.H. van Beukering and M. Bouman (2000) Starting from Scrap: Understanding trade in secondary materials between recycling industries of developing and developed countries, World Bank Working Paper, Washington, DC (forthcoming).