Solid waste management and the Millennium Development Goals : links that inspire action

Solid waste management was not mentioned explicitly in the initial presentation of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), and their Targets and Indicators. However this booklet shows that there are very clear and important links between solid waste management and the MDGs and shows how better management of wastes can lead to improvements and poverty reduction in order to reach them.

Solid waste management has a significant impact on the lives, health and surroundings of all urban dwellers. Significant proportions of the populations of many large cities depend on solid waste management for their livelihood, whether employed by the formal public or private sector for street sweeping and waste collection, employed by informal organisations or associations, or self-employed, working in family units. In many cities, there are opportunities for more employment generation, as services extend to cover rapidly-growing populations and as new opportunities for recycling are seized.

The Goals relating to improvement in public health and protection of the environment cannot be achieved without paying attention to solid waste management as one part of the solution.

In particular in connection with education, gender balance and maternal health, the particular situations of those working in waste management should be considered. The links between solid waste management and the MDGs call for more human and financial resources in order to achieve higher standards and wider coverage, and direction and clarity to strategies and programmes.

This booklet is written for non-specialists, and provides explanation of the terminology that is used. With recommendations for further reading.