On the perils of environmentally friendly alternatives

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dc.creatorLanza, Gracia
dc.date2025-05-13T21:57:20Z
dc.date2025-05-13T21:57:20Z
dc.date2024-03-06
dc.date.accessioned2026-06-09T02:31:02Z
dc.descriptionEnvironmentally friendly alternatives (EFA) are touted as a key component of a transition towards lowering the impact of human activity on the environment. Still, the environmental costs of these technologies are seldom null; they are simply less environmentally damaging than existing options. In this paper, we investigate consumer behavior when an EFA is introduced. Using a carefully constructed field experimental design, we look at plastic bags vis-a-vis biodegradable (bio) bags, when the latter are offered for free versus at a price. Moreover, we explore offering costly biodegradable bags as part of the default choice. We find that giving away the bio bags for free results in a large behavioral rebound effect, resulting in a substantial increase in the total number of bags. Setting a small, rather symbolic price offsets this rebound effect completely. Interestingly, when the bio bag is offered as a default, the behavioral rebound remains. Our results lead us to conclude against providing these EFA for free and to caution against the use of subsidies to promote their uptake.
dc.format12 páginas
dc.formatapplication/pdf
dc.identifierhttps://repositorio.catie.ac.cr/handle/11554/12799
dc.identifieropenAccess
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/123456789/11386
dc.languageen
dc.publisherElsevier
dc.relationJournal of Environmental Economics and Management
dc.relationhttps://doi.org/10.1016/j.jeem.2024.102967
dc.subjectPlastic pollution
dc.subjectBehavioral rebound effect
dc.subjectField experiment
dc.subjectSede Central
dc.subjectODS 13 - Acción por el clima
dc.titleOn the perils of environmentally friendly alternatives
dc.typeArtículo

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