Public perceptions and economic values of source-separated collection of rural solid waste: A pilot study in China

Abstract The rapid urbanization progress and the continuous improvement of rural residents’ living standard contribute to the increase of rural solid waste (RSW) in China. Based on direct face-to-face interview, a questionnaire survey consisting of 518 valid samples was performed to investigate rural households’ behaviors towards RSW treatment and their perceptions in terms of awareness, attitudes on source-separated collection of RSW. Contingent valuation method (CVM) was employed to estimate respondents’ willingness to pay (WTP) for RSW separation and management. Results indicated that some rural households had spontaneously separated the recyclable waste and food waste to some extent. The public were aware of the importance of RSW separation through various media. Further, more than half of households were willing to participate in the separation program. The dominant barriers of participation were the lack of awareness of separation, inconvenience and insufficient separation facility (53.7%). In addition, 62.5% of rural households had a positive WTP for RSW separation and management and the mean WTP was estimated to be 26.4 CNY/year. Age, annual household income and location significantly influenced the respondents’ WTP. Therefore, we suggest that policy makers implement the pilot programs of RSW separation at source accordingly and devote efforts to providing collection service and improving RSW management by combining government financial budget and rural households’ payment.