음식 배달 및 1인 가구가 생활 폐기물 발생량에 미치는 영향

The Effects of Food Delivery and Single-Person Household on Municipal Solid Waste Generation: Focus on the COVID-19 Period

Purpose - This study empirically analyzes the effects of food delivery service use frequency and the proportion of single-person households on the generation of MSW (Municipal Solid Waste). Additionally, the study analyzes MSW increase during the COVID-19 period. Design/methodology/approach - The study uses annual information on MSW and related characteristics of 228 Si, Gun, and Gu, which are administrative districts of Korea, from 2015 to 2020. Panel fixed effect model is employed for estimations. Findings - The study finds that food delivery and single-person household have significant effects only on recyclable and standard garbage bag MSW, respectively, not on all produce types of MSW. Additionally, it is estimated that, during the COVID-19 period, the increasing effect of food delivery is intensified while single-person households diminish its increasing effect. Lastly, the study confirms that the marginal effect on the increasing effect of MSW generation by the number of household members. Research implications or Originality - The estimated results are expected to provide useful information for the related policies. In particular, it is necessary to focus more on recyclable MSW concerning the developing delivery culture, and regarding changes in the family structure, focus more on the number of household members than single-person households.