Municipal solid waste management : involving micro- and small enterprises : guidelines for municipal managers

Many cities in low-income countries are facing mounting problems in their solid waste management services because of their explosive population growth. The problem of waste collection and disposal is most critical in the new low-income, high-density, unplanned housing areas on the edge of cities which results in public health risks and environmental degradation. This book, for managers, engineers and administrators who have some responsibility for municipal solid waste management, suggests ways to improve service or economize and to involve private sector entrepreneurs and small community-based groups in the collection of solid waste. The book is primarily concerned with situations found in middle- and low- income countries, and draws extensively on experiences in Latin America, South-east Asia and Africa. It focuses on one part of the private sector - "microenterprises" and "small enterprises", and is concerned with how these enterprises can work in partnership with municipalities to improve the coverage and standards of waste collection and disposal. The first part of the book is organized as answers to questions. The order of the questions suggests a sequence of steps that many municipalities might follow in considering a possible role for small private sector organizations. Annexes provide back up information on topics such as current waste management issues, sociological aspects and recycling, and include a range of case studies and sample contracts.