The influence of institutions in recycling markets, the case of Prishtina – Kosovo

The current thesis analyses the recycling activities in Prishtina, Kosovo. Punctually it focuses in the relation between the institutions and the recycling market of paper and plastic. The objective was to identify how the laws and policies (considered as institutions) influence the market, whether or not there are incentives or disincentives towards the companies and to the different stakeholders that participate in the recycling value chain of the city. In order to conduct the research, the author chose the case study as a research strategy. It allowed the researcher to understand the particular characteristics of the context that had an impact on the variables of study. Likewise, the selected data collection methods were intended to mix primary and secondary data, the methods were the semi-structure interviews and the content analysis. In this sense, the researcher could add validity and reliability to the research by cross-checking information, and by triangulating documents with the responses from the different stakeholders of the recycling market in Prishtina. The study found that Prishtina and Kosovo have some of the institutions (laws and policies) recommended by the literature in order to boost recycling, however, there is a mismatch in the implementation. As it will be described, some of the reasons behind this finding are related to the contextual particularities of the country, such as the decentralization progress, and the lakc of law enforcement. Similarly, the findings also concluded about the conditions of the market, the presence of market failures and the undeveloped value chain, which derives from the existent of incentives and disincentives for the private sector. Finally, the study also concludes about the positive and negative influence of the laws and policies towards the market, as it was analysed, few of them have facilitated the emergence of a market, while the majority of the institutions are constraining it. Finally, the author offers a set of recommendations that could be implemented to increase the recycling rate in the city. They are in relation to the cooperation with the private sector, not only to start new actions but also to provide the right incentives. They also relate to information, from the gathering of data for decision making, to the availability and accessibility of it for future investors.