Households' perceptions of private sector municipal solid waste management services: A binary choice analysis

The increase in the volume of waste materials discharged to the environment and deterioration of environmental quality in urban areas have been an issue of major concern for many governments in developing countries. To improve effectiveness and efficiency in the delivery of waste management services some of the governments have involved the private sector. This study uses binary choice model to examine urban residents’ perceptions regarding solid waste management that involves the private sector and what could be done to improve the waste management services. The data were generated from survey conducted in 238 households in Ilorin in southwest Nigeria. The results show that most of the respondents were not satisfied with solid waste management in the Ilorin. Binary logit model estimates reveal that the respondents’ perceptions regarding waste management were determined by income, travel time to dump site and marital status, as well as awareness of laws regarding waste disposal and activities of sanitary inspectors. For solid waste management in urban areas to be sustainable, it requires participation of the government, private sector and residents. The results generated from this study can help waste management authorities in designing a more sustainable waste management strategy in Ilorin, as well as in other cities that have similar conditions