20 Practical Ways for Cities to Manage Municipal Solid Waste

Every year, an estimated 2 billion tonnes of municipal solid waste (MSW) is produced worldwide and is predicted to increase to 3.40 billion metric tons by 2050. 5% of global greenhouse gas emissions arise from the decay of the organic portion of solid waste.

Between 30-40% of waste generated worldwide is disposed of inappropriately and often dumped illegally or openly burned. Below are 20 practical ways for cities to manage MSW better and some links to information on cities that have implemented these measures.

1.       Ban single-use checkout bags and non-recyclable plastics	+  MUMBAI	+  MILAN
2.       Ban disposable utensils from restaurants	+  TAIWAN	+  SEATTLE
3.       Introduce Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) program	+  AUROVILLE	+  CALIFORNIA
4.       Launch Pay-as-You-Throw (PAYT) program	+  GUANGZHOU	+  SEOUL
5.       Partner with local organisations for waste awareness	+  DUBLIN	+  VERMONT
6.       Introduce Deposit Return Scheme	+  MONTENEGRO	+  HELSINKI
7.       Establish facility for used building materials	+  BOISE	+  BEIJING
8.     Support paper waste recycling services	+  DELHI	+  GUANAJUATO
9.       Implement / Extend Material Recovery Facilities (MRFs)	+  SAN FRANCISCO	+  TOKYO
10.    Implement source separated collection for organic waste	+  ALAPPUZHA	+  DUBUQUE
11.    Implement centralised composting facilities	+  PUNE	+  PENANG
12.    Encourage the use of recycled materials for road construction	+  MADURAI	+  PONS
13.    Create a construction, demolition debris processing facility	+  PUMPHERSTON	+  LAHORE
14.    Install anaerobic digester plant	+  EAST BAY	+  UPPSALA
15.    Waste incineration for energy generation	+  COPENHAGEN	+  SINGAPORE
16.    Integrate landfill fugitive emissions capture	+  LIMA	+  BUENO AIRES
17.    Improve waste collection to managed landfill	+  KATMANDU	+  NINGBO
18.    Introduce a levy on waste sent to landfill	+  AUCKLAND	+  SAN JOSE
19.    Household waste drop-off program	+  CAPE TOWN	+  ZURICH
20.    Ban on landfilling recyclable and compostable waste	+  BUENOS AIRES	+  EU