Investigating the environmental Kuznets curve hypothesis with recovered paper consumption, human development index, urbanization, and forest footprint

The aim of this study, which covers the period from 1991 to 2017, is to analyze the relationships between recovered paper consumption, human development index, urbanization rate, and forest footprint in the framework of the Environmental Kuznets Curve (EKC) hypothesis in the 10 countries that consume the most recovered paper. Considering that wood is the raw material of paper, the study investigates whether the increase in the consumption of recovered paper has a positive effect on the forest footprint. Therefore, unlike other studies, the dependent variable of the EKC model is the forest footprint. The study is original in that it is the first to analyze the effects of recovered paper consumption on environmental degradation in the context of the EKC hypothesis. To analyze the relationships between the variables, we use panel cointegration tests based on AMG and CCE estimators, which allow analysis on both a country and group basis. According to the results, the EKC hypothesis is valid only in the Netherlands. While there is a statistically significant and negative relationship between recovered paper consumption and forest footprint in the Netherlands, there is a statistically significant and negative relationship between urbanization and forest footprint in Italy. Economic and ecological benefits and costs must be considered to measure the net benefit of waste management programs. In addition, to analyze how environmental impacts change over time, ecological footprint and gas emissions during waste generation or disposal should be measured similarly to carbon emissions.