Local Governance Arrangements in waste collection services in Portuguese Municipalities

Abstract

Waste performance has always been a topic of discussion due to the high importance of the environmental, social, and operational aspects of the waste sector. This thesis analyses the relationship between performance and local governance arrangements in Portuguese local governments, focusing on how these arrangements influence the performance of waste collection services. Previous literature has reviewed this topic from various aspects, comparing the performance of public and private sector waste management systems to identify their strengths and weaknesses. The private sector performs better in economic and social measures, while the public sector excels in environmental measures. Consequently, public-private partnerships, performance measurement, regulation, benefit-sharing, and risk-sharing mechanisms should be integrated for the long-term sustainability of future waste collection operations. This thesis aims to review the literature on waste governance, address a previously unexplored gap, and analyses the limitations and determinants facing waste local governance arrangements in Portugal, particularly in the context of political and economic factors. In the Portuguese case, many articles have highlighted issues such as regulatory changes in the urban waste sector, which have a significant impact on the 'retail' segment.

Moreover, waste collection services have never been regulated and are often managed inappropriately, raising long-term environmental and financial problems. The contribution of this thesis is considered to be the second paper analyzing the performance of waste governance arrangements with a focus on political and economic factors. The study will employ both qualitative and quantitative data collection methods in Portuguese local governments, with regression analysis as the main technique.