Waste Handling and Environmental Monitoring
Vol. 2 No. 2: (August) 2025

Public acceptance and cost-benefit analysis: Incinerators vs. third-party providers

Isabella Nur Adinda (Department of Environmental Science, Graduate School of Sustainable Development, Universitas Indonesia, Central Jakarta, DKI Jakarta 10430)
Fatmah (Department of Environmental Science, Graduate School of Sustainable Development, Universitas Indonesia, Central Jakarta, DKI Jakarta 10430)
Suyud Warno Utomo (Department of Environmental Science, Graduate School of Sustainable Development, Universitas Indonesia, Central Jakarta, DKI Jakarta 10430)



Article Info

Publish Date
31 Aug 2025

Abstract

Background: The management of hazardous solid medical waste (B3) poses a challenge for hospitals in South Tangerang City, as no hospital in the area currently has its own on-site treatment facilities, meaning Hospital X still relies on third-party providers (outsourcing). Method: Employing a mixed-methods case study design, this research examines public acceptance of on-site incinerators through statistical association analysis (involving six key informants) and evaluates financial feasibility via a cost-benefit analysis (CBA) using three years of secondary budget data (2023–2025). Financial metrics—evaluated at a 10% discount rate across three CAPEX sensitivity scenarios, include Net Present Value (NPV) and Benefit-Cost Ratio (BCR). Findings: The results indicate that storage and processing aspects are significantly associated with community acceptance (p = 0.044, OR = 1.661; p = 0.034, OR = 2.538). Although the standalone incinerator generated a positive NPV over the 3-year horizon, its BCR remained below 1, whereas outsourcing resulted in cumulative savings of approximately IDR 241 million. Conclusion: Given low waste volumes, outsourcing is more economically rational, while public acceptance depends more on proper storage and treatment practices than technology choice. Novelty/Originality of this article: This study integrates social acceptance and financial feasibility within a single framework, offering practical, economically viable, and socially acceptable decision insights to guide hospital decision making in developing urban contexts, subject to a three year budget horizon limitation.

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Journal Info

Abbrev

WHEM

Publisher

Subject

Environmental Science

Description

Aims: WHEM aims to advance the science and practice of waste management and environmental monitoring. The journal is committed to showcasing research that addresses critical issues related to waste handling and the monitoring of environmental quality. By offering a platform for high-impact studies, ...