A Travel-Cost Method of Evaluating Household Hazardous Waste Disposal Services

This paper demonstrates the use of the zonal travel cost method to develop a demand curve and consumer surplus estimate for household hazardous waste collection and disposal services in King County, Washington. The travel cost derived consumer surplus estimate is compared to a consumer surplus estimate derived from a preliminary contingent valuation survey. The travel cost estimate of consumer surplus is found to be more than the contingent valuation estimate and significantly less than the cost of household hazardous waste collection in King County during 1993. This result raises questions about the value of household hazardous waste collection services and their contribution to public welfare.