Causes of Waste Problem and Strategics for Recycling in Economic Aspect

폐기물의 처리 및 재활용의 문제점과 대책

The present waste problems require a change of thinking with regard to conventional economics. It has been generally believed that competitive markets maximize social welfare. But, the other hand, a few economists argue that "the competitive markets cannot always be relied on to provide all goods in the efficient amount." One of the best examples of the latter contention is the environmental problem. What is the basic thinking of the conventional economics that causes this problems \ulcorner What is the present problem that requires the change of conventional economic thinking \ulcorner The environmental problem result from the conventional economic thinking such as pursuing the limitless of the Gross National Product(GNP), believing the increasing returns in economics of scale and the efficiency of competitive market. This economic principles, howe- ver, does not apply currently to public goods, especially environmental amenity and natural resource because the price of markets does not reflect the natural goods of services. We call this eternality. Externalizes are no considered by either buyers or sellers of goods of which production or use results in an eternality. This leads to market failure are causes an waste problem in the economic activities. Today, it is almost impossible to say in a word what the solution for waste problems is because they are by-products complicated and entangled human activities. In this paper, I have introduced the causes of environmental problems only from the economic point of view. I have also described the needs of conversion of conventional economic thinking. Firstly, sustainable development, maintaining the natural resources, should be the basis of the economic growth rather that pursuing the limitless growth of GNP. Secondly, an appropriate scale of human's production activity should be taken into account to reduce the impact to the natural environment. Thirdly, internalization of eternality is asked to correct the market failure. This requires the public policy such as imposing a talsubsidy, assigning a property right or implement a more detailed environmental quality standard through, because use of the natural resources can be. allocated optimally by the intervention of government or social associations.