Globally, 2.8 billion people use on-site sanitation facilities, which need regular emptying of accumulated fecal sludge. Illegal dumping from informal emptying businesses, one of the major challenges in environmental management, is widely observed. Considering Mandalay, Myanmar, this study aimed to determine why informal emptying businesses are selected and estimate the lost revenue for a formal emptying service provider (FP) due to the informal businesses. We interviewed 400 households on their recognition and experiences regarding emptying services and willingness-to-pay for improved service. Revenue loss was estimated by comparing the present and theoretical maximum revenues. Results showed that 91.0% of households recognized FP only. Among 134 emptying-experienced households, 32.8%, 59.7%, and 4.5% chose FP with legal contact, FP with illegal contact, and informal service providers, respectively. The service fees from FP with illegal contact did not become revenue for FP; this was a major informal emptying business in the city. Differently from previous studies, the major illegal dumping was done by FP in this area. A great financial loss was estimated that FP lost 76.5% of the theoretical maximum revenue due to informal business. Logistic regression analysis indicated people’s intention to shorten the waiting time through illegal contact, even by paying a higher fee. As emptying services are typically required immediately after fecal sludge is over-accumulated, shorter waiting times and faster contact methods were the reasons why the informal business was selected. Less bureaucratic and more customer friendly system could reduce revenue loss, charge more, and increase profits.

中文翻译：

---

曼德勒的非正式清空业务：其原因和财务影响

全球有 28 亿人使用现场卫生设施，这些设施需要定期清空积累的粪便污泥。非正式清空企业的非法倾倒是环境管理的主要挑战之一，已被广泛观察到。考虑到缅甸曼德勒，本研究旨在确定选择非正式清空业务的原因，并估算正规清空服务提供商 (FP) 因非正规业务而造成的收入损失。我们采访了 400 户家庭，了解他们对清空服务的认可和体验以及为改善服务而付费的意愿。通过比较当前和理论上的最大收入来估计收入损失。结果显示，91.0%的家庭只承认FP。134户有清空经历的家庭中，32.8%、59.7%、4.5%选择了有法律联系的FP，FP 分别与非法联系和非正式服务提供商。FP非法接触的服务费没有成为FP的收入；这是该市一项主要的非正式清空业务。与以往的研究不同，该地区的主要非法倾倒是由 FP 完成的。据估计，FP 因非正规业务损失了 76.5% 的理论最大收入，这是一笔巨大的财务损失。逻辑回归分析表明，人们有意通过非法接触缩短等待时间，甚至支付更高的费用。由于粪便污泥堆积过多后通常需要立即清空服务，因此更短的等待时间和更快的联系方式是选择非正式业务的原因。更少的官僚主义和对客户更友好的系统可以减少收入损失，收取更多费用，