3. The effect of negative externalities on the optimal quantity of consumption Consider the market for paper. Suppose that a paper factory dumps toxic waste into a nearby river, creating a negative externality for those living downstream from the factory, Producing an additional ton of paper imposes a constant marginal external cost (MEC) of $175 per ton. The following graph shows the demand (marginal private benefits, or MPB) curve and the supply (marginal private costs, or MPC) curve for paper. Use the purple points (diamond symbol) to plot the marginal social costs (MSC) curve when the marginal external cost is $175 per ton. ? PRICE (Dollars per ton of paper) 500 450 400 2 300 250 200 150 100 50 0 0 0 1 2 O n 1 The market equilibrium quantity is C QUANTITY (Tons of paper) 0 6 Supply (MPC) Demand. (MPB) 7 MSC tons of paper, but the socially optimnal quantity of paper production is To create an incentive for the firm to produce the socially optimal quantity of paper, the government could impose a of paper. tons. per ton
3. The effect of negative externalities on the optimal quantity of consumption Consider the market for paper. Suppose that a paper factory dumps toxic waste into a nearby river, creating a negative externality for those living downstream from the factory. Producing an additional ton of paper imposes a constant marginal external cost (MEC) of $175 per ton. The following graph shows the
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