Testing Competing Explanations for Policy Adoption: Municipal Solid Waste Recycling Programs

Abstract

Cities were the source of a substantial amount of policy activity regarding recycling during the 1980s. This paper explores a set of variables, based on alternative conceptions of municipal policymaking, to explore differences between cities adopting residential curbside recycling programs and cities not adopting such policy changes. Probit analysis finds empirical support for explanations of policy adoption based on need, party competition, fiscal capacity and interest groups organization.