Executive Summary
Rapid urbanization, population growth, and changing consumption patterns have significantly increased solid waste generation in Latin American cities. Many urban centers struggle with inadequate waste collection, limited recycling, overburdened landfills, and informal disposal practices that pose serious environmental and public health risks. At the same time, cities face growing pressure to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve urban livability, and transition toward a circular economy.
This proposal presents an Integrated Solid Waste Management (ISWM) program for selected Latin American cities, including Mexico City, Bogotá, Lima, São Paulo, and Buenos Aires. The project adopts a holistic approach that integrates waste reduction, segregation, recycling, composting, safe disposal, institutional strengthening, and community participation. Over a four-year period, the program aims to improve waste management efficiency, reduce landfill dependency, create green jobs, and enhance environmental sustainability while strengthening municipal governance systems.
Background and Problem Statement
Latin America generates more than 540,000 tons of municipal solid waste daily, with urban areas accounting for the majority. While waste collection coverage is relatively high in major cities, segregation at source and recycling rates remain low. Most waste ends up in landfills or open dumps, many of which are nearing capacity and lack adequate environmental safeguards.
Informal waste pickers play a crucial role in recycling systems but often operate under unsafe and insecure conditions. Organic waste represents a large proportion of municipal waste streams, contributing to methane emissions when disposed of in landfills. Weak institutional coordination, limited financing, and low public awareness further constrain effective waste management. Addressing these challenges requires integrated, inclusive, and climate-smart solutions that go beyond end-of-pipe disposal.
Project Goal and Objectives
Overall Goal
To improve environmental sustainability, public health, and urban resilience through integrated and inclusive solid waste management systems in Latin American cities.
Specific Objectives
- Reduce the volume of waste sent to landfills by at least 35% in targeted cities.
- Increase waste segregation, recycling, and composting rates at household and institutional levels.
- Strengthen municipal capacity for planning, regulating, and managing solid waste systems.
- Promote social inclusion by integrating informal waste workers into formal waste management systems.
Target Cities and Beneficiaries
The project will be implemented in selected metropolitan cities and secondary urban centers with high waste generation and landfill pressure. Primary beneficiaries include:
- Urban households benefiting from improved waste collection and cleanliness
- Municipal governments and waste management authorities
- Informal waste pickers and recycling cooperatives
- Private recycling and composting enterprises
Special focus will be placed on low-income neighborhoods and communities located near disposal sites.
Project Components and Key Activities
- Component 1: Waste Reduction and Segregation at Source
- City-wide awareness campaigns on waste reduction and segregation
- Distribution of color-coded bins for households, schools, and public institutions
- Policy support for single-use plastic reduction and extended producer responsibility
- Engagement of community leaders and civil society organizations
- Component 2: Recycling and Organic Waste Management
- Component 3: Collection, Transport, and Safe Disposal
- Optimization of waste collection routes and schedules
- Rehabilitation of landfill sites with environmental safeguards
- Closure and remediation of open dumpsites
- Introduction of data-driven waste tracking systems
- Component 4: Institutional Strengthening and Governance
- Capacity building for municipal staff on ISWM planning and financing
- Development of integrated city waste management plans
- Strengthening regulatory frameworks and enforcement mechanisms
- Promotion of public-private partnerships in waste services
- Component 5: Social Inclusion and Livelihoods
- Formalization and capacity building of informal waste pickers
- Occupational health and safety training and equipment provision
- Formation and strengthening of waste picker cooperatives
- Gender-sensitive livelihood opportunities within the recycling value chain
Gender Equality and Social Inclusion
The project will promote gender equality by supporting women waste workers, encouraging women’s leadership in cooperatives, and addressing occupational health risks. Inclusive planning processes will ensure participation of marginalized communities, migrants, and informal workers. Child labor prevention and social protection measures will be strictly enforced.
Climate Change Mitigation and Environmental Sustainability
Integrated waste management will reduce methane emissions, improve resource efficiency, and support climate goals under national commitments. Composting and recycling will reduce reliance on virgin materials, while improved disposal practices will protect soil and water resources. Environmental education will foster long-term behavior change.
Implementation Strategy and Partnerships
The project will be implemented through partnerships among municipal governments, national environment ministries, NGOs, recycling cooperatives, and private sector operators. Regional knowledge exchange platforms will support learning across cities. Phased implementation will allow piloting, scaling, and replication.
Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning
A comprehensive MEL framework will monitor progress and outcomes using indicators such as:
- Percentage reduction in landfill waste
- Recycling and composting rates
- Number of waste workers formalized
- Municipal capacity improvements
Baseline, midline, and endline assessments will be conducted, and best practices will be documented for policy influence.
Expected Outcomes and Impact
- Cleaner, healthier urban environments
- Reduced landfill dependency and environmental pollution
- Increased recycling and composting rates
- Improved livelihoods and safety for informal waste workers
- Strengthened municipal waste governance and financial sustainability
Budget Overview
The project budget will cover infrastructure upgrades, capacity building, community engagement, social inclusion measures, monitoring, and project management. Blended financing involving municipal funds, private investment, and donor support will be explored. A detailed budget will be developed during project design.
Sustainability and Exit Strategy
Sustainability will be ensured through institutional strengthening, cost-recovery mechanisms, private sector participation, and community ownership. By project completion, cities will have the systems, skills, and partnerships needed to sustain and scale integrated waste management initiatives.
Conclusion
Integrated Solid Waste Management is essential for sustainable urban development in Latin America. This proposal offers a comprehensive, inclusive, and climate-smart approach that addresses waste challenges while creating economic opportunities and improving urban quality of life. The program will contribute to SDGs 11, 12, and 13 and support cities in building cleaner and more resilient futures.
