Household waste management in Mashad: characteristics and factors influencing on demand for collecting services.
In order to characterize household waste management system in Mashad (Northeast of Iran) and evaluate factors which affect on demand for waste collecting services, a field survey was conducted. One hundred ninty eight families were selected according to classified randomized sampling system and data on their socio-economic characters including home area, type (apartment versus other types) and tenure (private versus rental), education, separating solid and organic wastes, family size and income were gathered using questionnaires and direct interview. Results showed that three variables including staying at home during day, home type and family size explained 21% of variations of demand for waste collecting services. The study emphasized on components of pricing and economic motivations as well as education and socio-economic factors for decreasing of household waste production. Suggestions have been presented for improving the efficiency of waste management system in Mashad.