A comparative analysis of express packaging waste recycling models based on the differential game theory

Waste recycling is a globally significant issue that can alleviate environmental pollution and resource shortages. However, due to the lack of effective incentive measures and recycling models, the recycling rate is low in China. Analyzing the behavior choices of relevant stakeholders and comparing the effective of different recycling models has become a practical problem. A multi-agent express packaging waste recycling system that includes governments, individuals and enterprises was constructed. Further, based on the differential game theory, this study explores the behavioral characteristics of individuals, optimal strategies of government and enterprises under market-driven recycling model, government-driven recycling model, and cooperation-driven recycling models. The analysis derives the following findings. (1) Under the market-driven recycling model and government-driven recycling model, both the government and enterprise take the maximization of their own interests as behavior principle, whereas under the cooperation-driven recycling model, they are both more concerned about improved benefits. (2) Compared with the market-driven recycling model, the governmentdriven recycling model has achieved Pareto improvement. (3) The cooperation-driven recycling model has the highest revenue. (4) Subsidies are conducive to improving the optimal effort levels of enterprises. This study can provide new ideas for related research and offer a theoretical basis to formulate efficient recycling policy.

Automated summary

By analyzing behavior choices and effects under different recycling models, it was found that the government-driven recycling model achieved Pareto improvement, the cooperation-driven recycling model had the highest revenue, and subsidies helped improve optimal effort levels of enterprises.