Public acceptance study of environmentally suitable landfill sites

Abstract

The present study was conducted to understand the public attitudes and preferences of location and operation of environmentally suitable solid waste landfill sites in Dhanbad city, Jharkhand, India. The research methodology used for obtaining data includes extensive questionnaire (prepared using the reported literature) survey and interview of the population. Statistical analysis (Pearson residuals and chi-square test) was done to understand the relationships among the responses received from the surveyed people of the study area. Most of the respondents (90%) were in favour of construction of engineered landfill sites, but many (70%) were not willing to pay any extra charges for solid waste management related services. This study will help the municipal authorities to identify a mechanism to gain public acceptance of the selected landfill sites and adapt the approach presented here to similar locations elsewhere.