Odpadové hospodářství vybraných obcí České republiky: implementace motivačního poplatku PAYT

This diploma thesis focuses on identifying and evaluating the implementation of the PAYT (Pay-As-You-Throw) motivational fee in Czech municipalities with up to 20,000 inhabitants following the enactment of Act No. 541/2020 Coll. The objective of the work is to map the extent of the motivational fee implementation, identify the chosen fee bases, and analyze the barriers encountered by municipalities. The results of the quantitative analysis show that five years after its legislative introduction, the motivational fee remains a minority phenomenon, utilized by 1,263 municipalities (approximately 20% in the Czech Republic). Although the implementation dynamics have shown a progressive trend since 2022, the geographical distribution remains uneven. The research confirms that municipalities prefer a capacity-based fee (80%), which is administratively less demanding than other options. The qualitative research identifies three key implementation barriers. The first is economic unsustainability, as local governments face statutory fee caps that do not reflect the rising costs of waste management. The second obstacle is high administrative complexity, particularly in weight-based systems. The third barrier consists of the risk of undesirable externalities in the form of "waste tourism," although this risk can be minimized in smaller communities through high transparency and effective communication. The thesis concludes that PAYT does not represent a universal solution for all types of municipalities. While the capacity model works effectively in smaller municipalities with detached housing and the weight-based model significantly increases sorting rates, the system represents an administrative risk for larger settlements with mixed housing under current legislation. For wider adaptation of motivational elements, it is essential to adjust the legislative framework concerning apartment buildings and, above all, to increase the maximum fee limits to allow local governments to cover real waste management costs.