Planning for sustainable municipal solid waste management
Practical Action
at which it is filled, but this is still an important activity. These factors will tend to
shorten the life of the site.
Recycling and composting could have a very significant impact on the lifetime of a disposal site:
if organic waste was composted and all paper, glass plastics and metal were recycled, your
landfill site could last many decades!
Conclusion
Just as the cells of a body need to work together to thrive, so too do the elements of a SWM
system. There are many 'interfaces' and interdependencies between aspects of SWM, such as the
reliance of the recycling industry on waste generators segregating waste. These need to be well
understood and addressed in planning.
Solid waste management in cities is a challenge, and many local authorities face limited budgets
and growing volumes of waste. Whether municipality, NGO or business, making carefully
planned incremental improvements is key to finding solutions. A detailed understanding of the
context, and developing a plan in consultation with a range of stakeholders, can help ensure
success and sustainability.
Further reading and references
Ali, S.M. and Cotton, A. 2000. The sweeping business. Developing entrepreneurial
skills for the collection of solid waste. WEDC,UK. ISBN: 0906 055 85 7.
Ali, S.M. (Series Editor). 2005. Solid Waste Management. A Collection of Synthesis
Notes. WEDC,UK.
Coad, A and Coffey, M. 2008 (pending). Collection of Municipal Solid Waste in
Developing Countries. (Volume 1 of Waste Management Series). UN Habitat, Kenya
Coad, A. 2005. Private Sector Involvement in Solid Waste Management. Avoiding
problems and building on successes. CWG Publication Series Number 2. Switzerland.
ISBN: 3-908156-09-2.
Rouse, J.R. and Ali, 2002. Vehicles for People or People for Vehicles? Issues for waste
collection in low-income countries. WEDC, UK. ISBN: 1 84380 012 8.
Schubeler, P. 1996. Conceptual Framework for Municipal Solid Waste Management in
Low-Income Countries. UNDP/UNCHS Working Paper No 9.
Techobanoglous.G, Theisen H, Vigil S. 2001, Integrated Solid Waste Management.
Engineering principles and management issues. Mc Graw–Hill.
Waste Key sheets, Summaries of the Strategic Planning Guide. Prepared by ERM for the
World Bank.
Wilson, D., Whiteman, A. and Tormin, A. 2004. Strategic Planning Guide for Municipal
Solid Waste Management. Environmental Resources Management (ERM).
United Nations Centre for Human Settlements (UNCHS-Habitat) 1988 Refuse
Collection Vehicles for Developing Countries. UNCHS, Kenya.
Waste Netherlands is also a useful online resource.
This technical brief was prepared by Jonathan Rouse in consultation with
Mansoor Ali, April 2008.
Practical Action
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Tel: +44 (0)1926 634400
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E-mail: inforserv@practicalaction.org.uk
Website: http://practicalaction.org/practicalanswers/
Practical Action is a development charity with a difference. We know the simplest ideas can have
the most profound, life-changing effect on poor people across the world. For over 40 years, we have
been working closely with some of the world’s poorest people - using simple technology to fight
poverty and transform their lives for the better. We currently work in 15 countries in Africa, South
Asia and Latin America.
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