Households willingness to pay for improved solid waste management

Waste is a by-product of human life. Nowadays, municipal solid waste is being produced in excessive amounts and in this way, both developing and developed countries are facing challenges regarding generation of waste. Economic development, urbanization and improved living standards in cities have contributed to increasing the amount and complexity of solid waste produced. The present study was conducted in the residential area of main Boulevard Gulberg, Lahore to determine the present methods and efficiency of current solid waste management facility and to estimate the willingness of the selected households to pay for the improvement of solid waste management through a questionnaire survey. It was found that current solid waste management system in the area is fair but needs more improvement in terms of improved collection efficiency and rates, recycling bins, and segregation of waste at storage. According to the questionnaire survey, the majority of the respondents despite belonging to middle-class incomes are willing to pay an amount less than USD 4.8 for the improvement of waste management facility in the area. The area lacks a frequent collection of waste containers. Therefore, there is a need for up gradation of storage and collection facilities in terms of increase in collection efficiency and rates, an introduction of the recycling facility and segregation of waste at source. Waste storage and collection sites of the area should be monitored periodically and waste should be disposed of in a scientific manner in sanitary landfills.