Assessment on household demand, willingness and affordability to pay for improved solid waste services in Tanga city

Tanga City faces the problems of insufficient coverage of the collection system and improper disposal of solid wastes. As a result, about 52.5% of solid waste generated is left uncollected. This survey was conducted in 382 households (328 of Mabawa ward and 54 of Central ward in Tanga city). The main objective was to assess households’ demand, willingness and affordability to pay for improved solid waste services. Contingence valuation technique was used to create hypothetical market of solid waste services. It was found that 97.9% of 382 respondents are willing to pay for improved solid wastes collection and disposal services. The mean household’s (monthly) willingness to pay was Tsh 1,747/9 (0.3% of the mean household’s monthly living expenditures) which is below internationally accepted affordability to pay for solid wastes services in low income countries (0.7 to 2.5% of the mean household’s monthly living expenditures). Mean comparisons ware used to assess the factors influencing HH WTP for SW collection and disposal services in Tanga city. Education and sex of respondents, and household monthly living expenditures showed significant relationship with household’s willingness to pay. However, in order for the Tanga city council to tape households’ willingness to pay, the quality of solid waste services will have to be improved. For instance, this study found that only 98 (25.7% of 382) households were provided with SW services. Among them, only 56 (14.7% of 382) were satisfied with the services provided, and solid waste collection and disposal services were being provided intermittently with long intervals between collections.