ABSTRACT
In many developing countries, solid waste has become a top priority (Zhu, Asnani, Zurbrügg, Anapolsky and Mani 2008). The efficient delivery of public services and the provision of viable infrastructures are pressing issues for municipal authorities and other key actors in the waste management chain. Improving solid waste management has been recognised as relevant for achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MGDs) and targets (Coad and Gonzenbach 2007; CWG-WASH 2006). Solid waste management (SWM) is costly and complex for local governments, but these services are so essential to the health, environment, and quality of life of poor people in particular that municipalities cannot afford to get it wrong (Schübeler, Wehrle and Christen 1996). Bad waste collection practices and improper solid waste disposal contribute to local episodes of disease, the pollution of water resources, and the emission of global greenhouse gases (Zhu et al. 2008).
