An empirical evaluation of the effect of working from home on waste behavior - Ratio

PublikationWorking paper

An empirical evaluation of the effect of working from home on waste behavior

Sammanfattning

We evaluate the effect of working from home on waste generated by individuals both at and away from their homes. To that end, we collect a unique dataset that matches administrative household-level waste data from Sweden with survey data on how many hours individuals work from home. A novel identification approach allows us to link waste generated away from home to the choice of location of work. Our results suggest that working from home reduces organic and residual waste by 20% and 12%, respectively.

The article can be accessed here.

Bonev, P., Soederberg, M., & Unternährer, M. (2022). An empirical evaluation of the effect of working from home on waste behaviors (No. 2210). University of St. Gallen, School of Economics and Political Science.

Liknande innehåll

Artikel (med peer review)

The autonomous adaptation of US homes to changing temperatures

Cohen, F., Glachant, M., & Söderberg, M.

Publiceringsår

2025

Publicerat i

Journal of Economic Geography

Sammanfattning

Little is known about how households adapt to climate change. Previous research has focused on geographical differences in fuel choice and air conditioning. Using a twenty-eight-year panel of homes, we conducted the first longitudinal analysis of eight categories of adaptations and their impact on electricity, gas, and water expenditures. Exposure to cold or warm days correlates with increased spending on doors, windows, equipment, insulation, energy, and water. Our findings suggest cooling costs will rise, offset by lower heating costs. We predict a significant increase in electricity and water use during summer, leading to seasonal utility adjustments.

Working paper

Social Preferences and Environmental Externalities

Campos-Mercade, P., Ek, C., Söderberg, M., & Schneider, F. H.

Publiceringsår

2025

Publicerat i

Working paper series: Department of Economics, School of Economics and Management, Lund University.

Sammanfattning

Standard economic theory assumes that consumers ignore the externalities they create, such as emissions from burning fossil fuels and generating waste. In an incentivized study (N = 3, 718), we find that most people forgo substantial gains to avoid imposing negative externalities on others. Using administrative data on household waste, we show a clear link between such prosociality and waste behavior: prosociality predicts lower residual waste generation and higher waste sorting. Prosociality also predicts survey-reported pro-environmental behaviors such as lowering indoor temperature, limiting air travel, and consuming eco-friendly products. These findings highlight the importance of considering social preferences in environmental policy.

Artikel (med peer review)

The impact of population size and waste bin structure on the cost of municipal solid waste (MSW) management: Evidence from Sweden and Norway.

Söderberg, M., Sundriyal, V. K., & Gabrielsson, J.

Publiceringsår

2025

Publicerat i

Waste Management

Sammanfattning

The growing amount of waste worldwide has led to policies requiring cost-effective waste management. Consequently, municipalities responsible for providing waste services are under greater pressure to do so efficiently for their residents. Using data from 225 Swedish and Norwegian municipalities, we investigate how the waste bin structure and population affect the cost of MSW management. Results indicate that 4-compartment bins are the most expensive (+13 %), while using the same bin types in detached and multi-family dwellings leads to coordination savings (−18 %). The cost-minimising population is slightly above 600,000 inhabitants, and the cost per inhabitant can be reduced by up to 30 % in several locations through collaborations with larger neighbours.

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