Analysis of Factors Influencing Households’ Willingness to Pay for Solid Waste Disposal Services

Abstract

The study investigated the factors influencing willingness to pay for solid waste disposal services in Enugu State. Survey research design was employed for this study and 380 households sampled using multi-stage sampling technique.  On average, 67% of the households were willing to pay for solid waste disposal. This is so because most of the households saw waste disposal as a necessity. Those with a higher income, education and of older age were more willing to pay for solid waste disposal than those with lower income, education and younger age. In the same vein, satisfaction with waste disposal services, perceived cost of waste disposal services and knowledge of effects of poor waste disposal were all found to be positively and significantly related to willingness to pay for solid waste disposal services. Household size was found to negatively relate to willingness to pay, meaning that households with larger number of people were less willing to pay for solid waste disposal services. The study thus recommends among others that cost be factored in the designing of waste management system. Massive public awareness on the environmental and health effects of indiscriminate solid waste disposal should be embarked upon by the waste management agencies and Non-Governmental Organizations.

Keywords: Willingness to Pay, Solid waste disposal, Households