Environmental policy and the reduction of hazardous waste

Abstract

Environmental policy encouraging hazardous waste reduction began in 1976 with an Environmental Protection Agency statement promoting source reduction as the preferred method of hazardous waste management. In 1984, Congress included a policy statement supporting waste reduction in the Hazardous and Solid Waste Amendments (HSWA). However, the cornerstone of HSWA was the land disposal restrictions (LDRs)-a command and control policy prohibiting land disposal of untreated hazardous waste. Consideration of the hazardous waste generation decision in the aggregate would suggest that the price effect resulting from the LDR program and increased hazardous waste management prices in general would lead to source reduction. Although at the firm level there may be interdicting factors, statistical analysis of generation data for Tennessee support this hypothesis. Both the institution of the LDRs and waste management prices have significant negative effects on the level of generation. The analysis, however, reveals the existence of large industry and firm effects, indicating that the response to public policy may exhibit significant variance, especially at the individual generator level.

External Determinants and Financial Outcomes of an Eco-friendly Orientation in Smaller Manufacturing Firms

“…Irrespective of its origin, to be able to generate an eco-friendly orientation within the organization, the public has to fulfill the following preconditions: (1) to express awareness, sensitivity, and commitment to environmental issues; (2) 1999). Although the ecological behavior of large firms is more likely to attract the attention of the public because of greater exposure, higher visibility, and wider impact of their actions, smaller firms can also be affected, especially when they operate in industries harmful to the environment (Peretz, Bohm, and Jasienczyk 1997). Based on the previous discussion, we may hypothesize that H2: High levels of environmental public concern will lead to the adoption of an ecofriendly orientation by the small firm.…”

“…). Although the ecological behavior of large firms is more likely to attract the attention of the public because of greater exposure, higher visibility, and wider impact of their actions, smaller firms can also be affected, especially when they operate in industries harmful to the environment (Peretz, Bohm, and Jasienczyk ). Based on the previous discussion, we may hypothesize that…”

“…This is in accord with the findings of earlier research on eco‐orientation conducted within the domain of large firms (e.g., Banerjee, Iyer, and Kashyap ; Langerak, Peelen, and van der Veen ; Stone, Joseph, and Blodgett ). Despite the relatively low individual impact of small firms on the environment, it seems that the views of the public about ecological protection are inextricably linked with their business operations (Peretz, Bohm, and Jasienczyk ). This is particularly evident in countries characterized by high educational standards, as in the case of Cyprus, where people are more aware of environmental problems and, therefore, expect suppliers of goods to behave in a more socially responsible manner (Leonidou, Leonidou, and Kvasova ).…”

The potential of environmental regulation to change managerial perception, environmental management, competitiveness and financial performance

“…To select the sample, we considered a number of studies which relate a firm's environmental attitude to the type of activity it develops, which reveal a stronger environmental commitment by firms belonging to industries with the most serious pollutionrelated problems (Berrone and Gomez-Mejia, 2009;Fraj-Andrés et al, 2008;Hutchinson, 1996;Peretz et al, 1997). Gamble et al (1995), Gray et al (2001) and Shih et al (2006) pointed out that industries with long-term cumulative pollution problems, including such high-pollution industries as the oil industry, chemical industry and steel industry, are more likely to take the initiative to disclose environmental information than lower-pollution industries such as service industries.…”

Can consumers enforce environmental regulations? The role of the market in hazardous waste compliance

“…Peretz, Bohm, and Jasienczyk (1997) discuss the effect of the LDRs on waste generation whileSigman (1996) discusses the effect of waste taxes on generation and disposal.17 In particular, hazardous waste units that were in operation prior to being covered by hazardous waste regulations can operate under "interim status" while a final permit is obtained.18 Alberini and Bartholomew (1999) show that shipping costs are a significant determinant in the choice of management facilities.…”