Waste management agenda setting: a case of incorrect problem definition?

Abstract

This paper uses Rochefort and Cobb's anatomy of problem and Kingdon's agenda building model to explain how capac ity issues involving hazardous and solid wastes found their way onto the agendas of the United States Congress and the State of Tennessee General Assembly. Through this case study, several conclusions are offered about agenda building, problem definition, capacity assurance planning and the implications of environmental problems reaching agenda sta tus through political avenues. First, although scientific or technical assertions are often necessary for an environmental issue to reach policy agenda status, neither applies in this case. Instead, political issues (e.g. the perceived failure to site management facilities) prevailed. Second, the outcome of the solution (capacity assurance planning) crystallized problems that were not perceived as problems but might have proven to be and raised the question of incorrect problem identifica tion. Third, capacity assurance planning is a useful analytical tool but should also be viewed as a valid planning exercise. Finally, sustainability and commitment to solving environ mental problems even though they may arise through politi cal avenues are crucial.

L’accès des indigents aux services de santé au Burkina Faso : un problème public ?

“…Nous ne sommes apparemment pas le seul puisque cette triangulation théorique a aussi été employée par Peretz (1998) en science politique, rapidement évoqués dans la section méthodologique du présent article, a été particulièrement fécond pour mieux comprendre pourquoi l'exclusion des soins des indigents burkinabé est restée cantonnée à l'état d'une situation. L'échec de la mise en oeuvre de l'IB, en ce qui concerne son objectif d'équité, trouve donc une partie de son explication dans le fait que l'exclusion des services de santé des indigents n'a jamais été perçue comme un problème public.…”

Explaining the Performance of Mature Municipal Solid Waste Recycling Programs

“…The literature about recycling programs is voluminous, but this paper addresses a topic about which little is known: the performance of mature recycling programs. Although there has been federal legislation on MSW since the 1960s, the number of recycling programs in the US only began to increase dramatically in the 1980s (Peretz, 1998). It was during this period that many communities foresaw shortages of landfill capacities and increasing MSW management and transportation costs (Glebs, 1988;Pettit, 1988;Office of Technology Assessment, 1989;US Environmental Protection Agency, 1989;Ackerman, 1997;Peretz, 1998).…”

“…Although there has been federal legislation on MSW since the 1960s, the number of recycling programs in the US only began to increase dramatically in the 1980s (Peretz, 1998). It was during this period that many communities foresaw shortages of landfill capacities and increasing MSW management and transportation costs (Glebs, 1988;Pettit, 1988;Office of Technology Assessment, 1989;US Environmental Protection Agency, 1989;Ackerman, 1997;Peretz, 1998). In other municipalities, local officials appear to have responded to citizens' more altruistically based requests for recycling although their community may not have faced a potential solid waste management problem (Feiock & West, 1993).…”

Malaysian newspapers coverage of waste issues: problems in need of solutions?

“…The amount of solid waste recycled in 2004 remained at less than 5.0 per cent of total waste disposed, despite concerted efforts to promote reuse, reduction, and recycling (3Rs Concept) of materials through the National Campaign on Recycling [18]. Obviously, as argued by Peretz [19] what remains unanswered is whether people are willing to make the commitment to study environmental issues at a level that correctly identifies problems and addresses the necessary solutions as well as the possible sacrifices. According to Watts and Probert [20] a de facto implementation of the "3R" (Re-use/Reduce/Recycle) waste alternative (involving segregation of waste at the household) would be possible only with the full acceptance of an environmentally aware public.…”