Abstract
This study evaluates the economic burden of diseases associated to the
inappropriate disposal of solid waste at dumpsite located at the Hazar Khwani,
Peshawar provincial headquarters of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province of Pakistan. A
sample of 200 respondents was selected from 5% of the total population residing in
the target area. Our sample selection is based on two-stage sampling technique. The
sample data was regressed with the help of Tobit & Poisson models for estimation of
mitigation costs and work days lost. Results suggest an inverse and significant
association between the distances and work days lost and mitigation costs,
respectively. Annualized monetary benefit of adoption of scientific and modern
techniques of landfill management to the locals ranges from 186,612,897.66 PKR
to192,559,787.244 PKR especially for residents living within the proximity of 4km of
the dumpsite. Therefore, the study recommends adoption of alternate solid waste
management solutions, such as composting or sanitary landfill and providing the
populace of the target area comprising of residential facilities at a considerable
distance from the dumpsite.
