The valuation of landfill disamenities in Birmingham

The disposal of waste by landfill generates community concerns, during both site operations and following the cessation of activities. Whilst previous hedonic studies have generally examined the impact on property prices of distance to the nearest active landfill site this paper presents a study for Birmingham in England in which properties are simultaneously located close to numerous active and historical landfill sites. Accounting for the proximity of historical landfill sites alters the perceived disamenity impact of active sites and furthermore, reveals evidence of significant disamenity impacts, decades after site closure, albeit over shorter geographical distances. Estimated disamenity impacts are however somewhat sensitive to assumptions regarding the geographical range of the externalities generated by landfill.

► Including historical sites into a hedonic analysis of landfill sites alters the perceived disamenity impacts of active sites. ► Empirical estimates suggest a 2.6% reduction in house prices within a 3 km radius of active landfill sites. ► There is evidence of a significant disamenity impact from landfill sites decades after their closure.