Structural differences in recycling rates for imported and domestic plastic waste revealed

This repository contains the following files:

• code_rt_cselection.py: Selecting research countries during 2013-2022 using the UN Comtrade database.  

1. Import packages

2. Functions and lists defined

3. Retrieve original data 2013-2022

4. Drop "TOTAL MOT" in the reporter country if other MOT exist (drop the ambiguous transport mode if the transport mode is specified)

5. Replace zero and empty net weight values from similar trade

6. Average only: drop "TOTAL MOT" and repeated trade from the partner  

7. Research country selection  

• code_rt_cost.py: Compile costs of water, electricity, labour, and rent across countries.  

• code_rt_z.py: Calculating the required recycling rate across countries and plastic waste types.  

1. Import packages

2. Functions and lists defined

3. Match 22 research countries with country codes in the UN Comtrade database

4. Primary plastics export  

5. Primary plastics import

6. Plastic waste import

7. Plastic waste export

8. Required recycling rate

9. Plots

• xxx.pkl: Pickle files needed to run the Python script, which store the original trade data. 

• electricity cost_EU.xlsx: Electricity prices for non-household consumers of European countries during 2013-2022 (euro/kWh).  

• labour.xlsx: Annual recycling output and number of employees in plastic recycling companies across countries inSheet 1.  

• rent.xlsx: Industrial rents across countries during 2013-2022 (USD/m2) in Sheet 'unit price'. Annual recycling output and land occupation in plastic recycling companies across countries in Sheet 'area per tonne'.  

• Tariff List - IBNet Tariffs Database.xlsx: Water costs from IBNet Tariffs Database.

• ratio2.xlsx: Share of plastic types in plastic recycling.