Valuing Household Preference for Functional Features of Solid Waste Management: A Hedonic Pricing Analysis

Abstract

Solid waste management has become increasingly important, highlighting the need for active civic participation in preserving environmental quality. This study investigates household willingness to pay for various features of a hypothetical solid waste management project using the hedonic pricing method. The project incorporates multiple components, including the provision of a clean environment, safe drinking water, mosquito and rodent control, waste recycling for gas production, and the construction of a controlled landfill with an extended lifespan. These features are categorized into three functional types: problem abandonment, compensatory interventions, and alternative waste disposal mechanisms. By estimating the willingness to pay for each feature, the study captures the implicit value placed by individuals on different aspects of waste management. The results reveal that households’ willingness to pay is high for the problem of abandonment for safe drinking water and environmental quality features, reflecting public preference for interventions that directly affect daily well-being. The findings offer valuable insights for policymakers in designing sustainable, citizen-responsive waste management systems and supporting evidence-based prioritisation of project components in urban environmental planning.