Which statement would strengthen the argument for pay-as-you-throw?

Which statement would strengthen the argument for pay-as-you-throw?

• A. A theoretical model with no data.
• B. No effect observed.
• C. Reports of increased waste.
• D. A substantial drop in waste after program adoption.

Answer: (D)

Pay-as-you-throw relies on a price signal: when people are charged by the amount of waste they generate, they have more incentive to reduce it and to recycle or compost more. The most convincing way to support that it works is real-world data showing that waste actually decreases after the program starts. A substantial drop in waste after adoption shows households are responding to the cost incentives, which is exactly what PAYT intends to achieve. The other scenarios don’t provide the same persuasive support. A theoretical model with no data can only offer projections, not evidence of real-world behavior. If no effect is observed, there’s no indication the policy changed waste generation. Reports of increased waste would undermine the argument, suggesting the program isn’t having the intended effect or that other factors are driving waste up.

Pay-as-you-throw relies on a price signal: when people are charged by the amount of waste they generate, they have more incentive to reduce it and to recycle or compost more. The most convincing way to support that it works is real-world data showing that waste actually decreases after the program starts. A substantial drop in waste after adoption shows households are responding to the cost incentives, which is exactly what PAYT intends to achieve.

The other scenarios don’t provide the same persuasive support. A theoretical model with no data can only offer projections, not evidence of real-world behavior. If no effect is observed, there’s no indication the policy changed waste generation. Reports of increased waste would undermine the argument, suggesting the program isn’t having the intended effect or that other factors are driving waste up.