Preference for Improved Solid Waste Management Attributes among urban Poor and Non-poor Households’ in Delta-State, Nigeria

Abstract

This paper assessed the preference for improved solid waste management among urban poor and non-poor households in Asaba, Delta-state. A random sampling method was employed resulting in 115 households and information obtained from the state’s waste management board. Descriptive statistics, Alkire and Foster multidimensional poverty methodology, choice experiment and conditional logistic regression model were employed for analysis. The average age of household heads was 39 years and literacy level was high with an average of 14 years of schooling. Multi-dimensionally, 25.20%of households are poor at dimensional cut-off k=4. Households’ preference for improved waste management is influenced positively household head education, perception, number of income earners and negatively by poverty status. The mean willingness to pay estimate is N1546.32/ month but reduced to N619.80, with consideration of socio-economic characteristics. Households ranked waste separation top and collection frequency least important. This study recommends education, provision of free containers for waste separation and the introduction of graduated fees for any waste management plan.