Abstract

Liberia faces increasing challenges with solid waste management as more than 70% of households abandon their waste in unauthorized sites. Urbanization and population growth will increase Liberia's need to develop an effective waste management system. This study performed 240 household surveys in Paynesville, Liberia, to explore residents' waste disposal practices and their satisfaction with waste collection services. Survey results point to improvement opportunities and some dissatisfaction with existing household services. Burning or burying of waste were common disposal practices and few households separate or recycle waste. The study included a choice experiment (CE) to assess households' valuation of specific attributes of waste collection services. Estimates of a mixed logistical model suggest that households highly value having waste collected at home and negatively value separating waste. These findings highlight the potential for improving Liberia's solid waste management by structuring reliable services around household collection.

Habitat International, 2019, ISSN 0197-3975