Research
Published Papers
F. Alpizar, F. Carlsson, G. Lanza, B. Carney, R.C. Daniels, M. Jaime, T. Ho, Z. Nie, C. Salazar, B. Tibesigwa, and S. Wadehra (2020)“A framework for selecting and designing policies to reduce marine plastic pollution in developing countries”, Environmental Science and Policy, 109, 25-35,
Link: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envsci.2020.04.007
Wadehra, S and Mishra A. (2018), “Encouraging the urban households to segregate the waste they generate: insights from a field experiment in Delhi, India” Resources, Conservation and Recycling, Volume 134, pp 239-247
Link: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0921344918301150
Abstract:
Despite the Solid Waste Management Rules (SWM), 2016 stating that waste generators should segregate their waste before it is collected; most households in Delhi continue to be non-compliant. We conduct a study in 15 localities of Delhi to understand whether information, norms and economic incentive would have an effect on households’ compliance to rules. The study uses field experiments to elicit the impact of the interventions. We find that even low cost interventions such as information on segregation and its benefits are effective in changing household waste segregation behaviour. We also find that a combination of information and economic incentives play an important role in inducing the households to begin segregation at source. The efficacy of incentive highlights the importance of defining a differential user fee - lesser amount for those who segregate and a higher amount for those who do not segregate. The field observations also show that the garbage collector could nullify the actions of the household, thus highlighting the importance of educating the garbage collector as well. Our findings can inform Municipal officials and agencies involved in collection and transportation of waste, to induce households to segregate at source.Wadehra, S. and Mishra, A., (2017), “Delhi’s waste woes: Is there a way out of it?” Economic and Political Weekly, Vol. 52, Issue no. 52
Link: · https://www.epw.in/engage/article/delhi-waste-woes-is-there-a-way-out
Abstract:
As is the case in many Indian cities, Delhi’s landfills continue to be used as dumpsites for all kinds of waste although the Municipal Solid Waste Management Rules (MSWM), 2016 explicitly restrict landfills use to disposal of only inert, non-recyclable and non-biodegradable waste and also mandate waste generators to segregate before collection. It is also widely acknowledged that waste segregation at household level is possibly the most efficient way to address this problem. In practice, however, inducing such behavior at household level is a challenge for public authorities responsible for waste management. The study found low cost interventions such as information and norms to be effective in inducing favorable behavioral change.Mishra, A., Sarangi, G.K., and Wadehra, S., (2016), “Off grid Energy Development in India: An approach towards Sustainability”, Economic and Political Weekly , Volume 51, Issue 22
Link: · https://www.epw.in/journal/2016/22/special-articles/grid-energy-development-india.html
Abstract:
A critical evaluation of existing approaches to the off-grid development in India suggests that successful decentralised interventions are contingent upon the combined influence of three key determinants, that is, strength of policy support, community participation, and productive linkages. Technology, source of finance and plant size are other key determinants. Contrary to the established wisdom on role of communities, it is suggested that, in practice, the reality of capacity constraints among communities, local-level conflicts and elite capture subvert community participation.Work in Progress
Shivani Wadehra*, Zihan Nie** and Francisco Alpizar, Disentangling the chicken or egg problem of household waste sorting and segregated waste collection: A randomized control experiment in India
Research Projects
1. Designing appropriate incentives to increase the collection rates of plastic litter
Summary: Maharashtra government in India have instituted a deposit refund scheme to ensure collection and subsequently authorized recycling of milk packets and PET bottles. However, the success of the scheme depends on minimizing the costs of collection and recycling and creating incentives to change households’ behavior and induce the informal or formal sector to increase their collection rate. It is hypothesized in the study that informal sector can achieve greater collection rates at lesser costs as compared to the formal sector. Further, the study focuses on understanding the appropriate incentive that would increase the collection rates further.