Overall Introduction
In order to respond to the challenges of solid waste management, the overall objective of the RSWMP is to promote adoption of integrated and sustainable solid waste management (ISWM) across the region.
In order to achieve this overall objective, two specific aims have been identified:
- To provide the necessary tools to the beneficiary countries for designing, developing and implementing the main elements of ISWM;
- To promote the exchange of solid waste management information and experiences within the region.
The Regional ISWM Guidelines produced under the RSWMP and published in this portal are aiming to respond directly to these objectives.
The Regional ISWM Guidelines provide a set of tools relating to the main elements of ISWM. Drawing on experiences from within the region and internationally, the Regional ISWM Guidelines have been developed as adaptable tools that can be tailored to the conditions of each individual country in the region. The aim is to offer a range of solutions which may be broadly implemented across the region at national and sub-national levels.
A series of case studies from each of the beneficiary countries is also included within the Guidelines to promote exchange of positive experiences with developing ISWM.
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TARGET AUDIENCE OF THE REGIONAL ISWM GUIDELINES
The Regional ISWM Guidelines target both those responsible for making decisions affecting solid waste management, at national and sub-national levels, and the professionals who will implement those decisions.
To achieve integrated and sustainable solid waste management, consideration must be given to a range of issues, which go far beyond the technical aspects. The four volumes of the Regional ISWM Guidelines cover:
- ISWM policy, legal and institutional issues;
- Financing and cost recovery;
- Private sector participation;
- Public awareness and community participation.
In addition, this initial volume introduces the Regional Guidelines and provides a "Decision Makers Support Document". A sixth volume provides "Case studies" to facilitate application of the Regional Guidelines. The Guidelines must therefore reach a broad audience, at both the decision-making and professional levels.
Developing the Regional ISWM Guidelines forms just one component of the RSWMP. They have been disseminated both through a Regional Forum. Also the Regional Guidelines will be disseminated through National Workshops and they will be applied in each country through a series of National Activities (‘learning by doing’).
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The basic principle of the Regional ISWM Guidelines structure is that it is modular and designed for easy navigation so that the user can quickly home for a particular interest or concern.
OUTCOMES OF THE REGIONAL ISWM GUIDELINES
The desired outcome of the METAP RSWMP is a significant improvement of solid waste management in the region. The Regional ISWM Guidelines aim to contribute to that outcome through promoting ISWM, and by providing practical guidance on the decisions that need to be made and how those can then be implemented in practice.
One direct outcome of the Regional ISWM Guidelines is intended to be an increase in both regional, national and sub-national capacity, in all of the various aspects of ISWM (as listed above, plus the technical). This in turn will lay the groundwork for international financial institutions (including the European Investment Bank and the World Bank, to invest in solid waste infrastructure in the region.
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