Abstract:
Due to rapid urbanization and population growth most countries in the world experiencing
lack of solid waste management practices despite citizens’ demand for it and has become
a major national issue in Sri Lanka. Although many countries in the world have municipal
sanitation taxes, the Government of Sri Lanka has not set any taxes on solid waste. This
paper investigates the willingness to pay (WTP) for the improved solid waste management
(SWM) in Kalutara urban council area of Western Province in Sri Lanka. A questionnaire
survey of 75 randomly selected households in Kalutara city was done to assess the factors
influencing WTP of households for improved urban SWM. Factors such as monthly
income of the household, age, gender, education level, occupation, number of family
members, awareness of the solid waste management, were considered to determine the
factors that influence households’ WTP for improved SWM. A descriptive and a statistical
analysis were done in this study. For the statistical analysis multiple regression was used
by SPSS Version 20 to determine the relationship between WTP and each of the variables
mentioned above. The education level of the households has shown high as 93.3% which
have completed formal education up to G.C.E. (O/L) and higher. According to the results
9.3%, 10.6% and 24% households engaged in Government, semi-Government and private
sector jobs respectively. Only 4% of the households do not have proper awareness in
SWM while others have very good or little knowledge. The total monthly income of the
household was above Rs. 10001 in 65.3% respondents. Results of statistical analysis
reveal that households’ WTP for improved SWM is significantly related to income and
the education level of the household at P<0.05 among other factors. The WTP can be a
guide for local authority officials in setting an appropriate fee which may lead to a proper
solid waste management practices, thereby all households may receive effective collection
service, proper waste disposal, and further recycling and composting practices could be
promoted.
