Economic input-output analysis for battery recycling programs at the higher education institutions and regional sustainability planning

Date of Award

2014

Degree Name

M.S. in Renewable and Clean Energy

Department

Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering. Graduate Renewable and Clean Energy Program

Advisor/Chair

Advisor: Choi Jun-Ki

Abstract

Economic Input-output analysis (EIOA) is a powerful technique for studying the economic behavior of a policy. Using this technique, one can study the consequences of applying a policy in a society from economic, social, and environmental perspectives. Chapters one through five of the study capture the economic impacts of recycling used dry cell batteries collected as a result of effective recycling policies at the higher education institutions (HEI) of the United States. Applied methodology modifies intermediate transactions of the input-output tables. The results show an $11,522 decrease in the gross domestic product (GDP) of the United States by applying strong recycling policies at HEI. These results support effective tax or credit incentive budget allocations in favor of recycling as the most environmentally friendly end-of-life option. Chapter 6 designs a set of policies that aim to improve quality of the environment as well as the economic growth. A framework for analyzing the EIOA results regarding implementation of the proposed policies is developed. The developed framework applies Design and Analysis of Experiments techniques and provides reasonable insight into the selection of the most effective policies, which increases the GDP as well as the quality of environment.

Keywords

Environmental policy Economic aspects United States, Electric batteries Recycling Economic aspects, Universities and colleges Environmental aspects, Economics, Energy, Entrepreneurship, Environmental Studies, Higher Education Administration, Public Health, Sustainability, Urban Planning, Economic Input-Output Analysis, Battery Recycling, Sustainable Development, Sustainability decision making, Economic Growth, Higher Education Institutions, Sustainable development decision making, Design and Analysis of Experiments, Economic Impacts

Rights Statement

Copyright © 2014, author

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