Community-based waste management programmes are community-led initiatives. These can be collaborations between NGOs, government agencies and impacted communities to establish an effective local waste management programme whereby the local communities are empowered to run these programmes independently.
Regular waste collection is taken for granted in wealthier parts of the world, but there are still more than two billion people living in lower and middle income countries without this basic service.
When there is no such service, people resort to dumping or burning their waste close to where they live. These practices are harmful to public health, local economies and the environment, especially in areas near waterways, which prove to be a convenient receptacle for urban waste.
Community-based waste management offers low-cost, effective solutions for waste disposal and recycling in low- and middle-income countries with limited municipal services. By engaging residents in waste tracking, household segregation, composting, and reuse, these programs promote sustainability, reduce pollution, and empower communities to build cleaner, more resilient environments.
Community-based Waste Management
Indonesia
Community-based Waste Management
Indonesia
Community-based Waste Management
Thailand
Community-based Waste Management
Thailand
Community-based Waste Management
Indonesia
Community-based Waste Management
Viet Nam
Community-based Waste Management
Viet Nam
These resources on community-based waste management include materials developed by WWF as well as external sources.
Key Considerations: Community-based waste management programmes often require initial support, guidance and resources from local authorities, NGOs and/or private sector partners.
Regular waste collection is taken for granted in wealthier parts of the world, but there are still more than two billion people living in lower and middle income countries without this basic service.
When there is no such service, people resort to dumping or burning their waste close to where they live. These practices are harmful to public health, local economies and the environment, especially in areas near waterways, which prove to be a convenient receptacle for urban waste.
Community-based waste management programmes offer communities in low and middle-income countries where there is lack of or inadequate municipal waste management services with a community-centric, low-cost and effective waste management system.
Such systems encourage:
Community-based waste management has emerged as a viable and effective approach to address the challenges of waste disposal and recycling. By involving local communities in waste management practices, this decentralized model promotes sustainability, environmental preservation, economic growth, and community empowerment. As more communities adopt this approach, we move closer to building a more sustainable and waste-free future.
