Recycle -- or not? A case from New York City
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Summary
This case can be used in introductory or intermediate micro courses. Externalities are among the important concepts covered in introductory economics courses. As such, I like to reinforce and deepen the students' understanding of this concept through discussion and analysis of a real-world example. I use a case about New York City to do so.
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Learning Goals
Externality, recycling, social costs and benefits
Context for Use
This can be used in large and small classes. It is conducive to small-group work and role play. It can be implemented in a 30-50 minute period.
Description and Teaching Materials
Teaching Notes and Tips
Prior to the class period:
I will distribute the case a week prior to its use. With it I will distribute a "reading guide" that asks the students to read carefully and to write down both the dollar costs and the opportunity cost of the New York City recycling program. I will also ask them to write down the benefits of that program. This will not be collected and graded, but will be used by the students as they discuss in class.
During the class period.
I can place this case discussion either at the beginning of my discussion of externalities or after the exposition of the theoretical concept: the class organization will differ slightly, but it will be useful either way. I will plan to spend 30 minutes on the topic.
The initial 5 minutes will be devoted to identifying the major economic issues raised and ensuring that everyone understands the salient facts. I could begin, for example, with the question: Why did Mayor Blumenthal establish a moratorium on recycling? The students can then use their notes to provide a list of the nominal costs of recycling, and can establish that trash collection is the opportunity cost of recycling. We can also distinguish paper from other materials, since the moratorium is a partial one. Finally, we'll review the distinction between private cost and social cost, private benefit and social benefit, and we'll find examples in the case of each.
The next 10 minutes will be small-group work: each group of five students will prepare an argument either for lifting the moratorium or for keeping it in place – I'll assign the topic to groups randomly.
In the next 10 minutes we'll have a meeting of the Mayor's council – representatives of each side will argue the case before a group of five students serving as the Mayor. The arguments must be economic in nature. We'll vote as a group on the appropriate direction forward.
In the final 5 minutes we'll summarize what we've learned about the social costs and benefits of recycling.
I will distribute the case a week prior to its use. With it I will distribute a "reading guide" that asks the students to read carefully and to write down both the dollar costs and the opportunity cost of the New York City recycling program. I will also ask them to write down the benefits of that program. This will not be collected and graded, but will be used by the students as they discuss in class.
During the class period.
I can place this case discussion either at the beginning of my discussion of externalities or after the exposition of the theoretical concept: the class organization will differ slightly, but it will be useful either way. I will plan to spend 30 minutes on the topic.
The initial 5 minutes will be devoted to identifying the major economic issues raised and ensuring that everyone understands the salient facts. I could begin, for example, with the question: Why did Mayor Blumenthal establish a moratorium on recycling? The students can then use their notes to provide a list of the nominal costs of recycling, and can establish that trash collection is the opportunity cost of recycling. We can also distinguish paper from other materials, since the moratorium is a partial one. Finally, we'll review the distinction between private cost and social cost, private benefit and social benefit, and we'll find examples in the case of each.
The next 10 minutes will be small-group work: each group of five students will prepare an argument either for lifting the moratorium or for keeping it in place – I'll assign the topic to groups randomly.
In the next 10 minutes we'll have a meeting of the Mayor's council – representatives of each side will argue the case before a group of five students serving as the Mayor. The arguments must be economic in nature. We'll vote as a group on the appropriate direction forward.
In the final 5 minutes we'll summarize what we've learned about the social costs and benefits of recycling.
Assessment
There are two steps to assessment in this case. The formative assessment occurs in real time as the discussion, small group work and role play occur in the classroom. If there is evidence that the students are not engaging with the questions of social cost and benefits, and with the different calculus of government and citizenry, the instructor can introduce questions (e.g.: The cessation of recycling had a positive effect on the city government budget. Is that necessarily also good for the citizens of New York City?) to redirect attention to those.
Graded assessment can also be based on the case. My preferred method is to hand out a short written assignment at the end of the in-class discussion for submission at the next class period.
Graded assessment can also be based on the case. My preferred method is to hand out a short written assignment at the end of the in-class discussion for submission at the next class period.