Preferences for the attributes of household kitchen waste source separation services in China using latent class approach

In this study, we conducted a hypothetical choice experiment in Beijing, China, to investigate residents' preferences for selected household kitchen waste source separation service attributes. A latent class approach was applied to observe heterogeneities among the respondents. The econometric analysis suggested that two segments of residents exist in the sample. Interestingly, 70.1% of the sample who were high educated, young, or respondents with more kitchen waste separation experience are more likely to accept the proposed separation services with frequent evening collection, while they do not show significant preferences for the attributes of instructor, container, and compensation. For the remaining (29.9% of the sample) who were low educated, old, and with less kitchen waste separation experience, joining the separation program would impose a loss of utility. Moreover, they seem to prefer services with the attributes of frequent collection, plastic bags, and compensation. However, they do not show significant preferences for the attributes of time and instructor.