Urban Sustainability and the Economic Impact of Implementing a Structured Waste Management System: A Comparative Analysis of Municipal Waste Management Practices Developing Countries

Abstract

Implementing a structured municipal waste management system in urban spatial context revolves around integrated municipal solid waste system (IMSWM) that comprised all major actions in waste management. The institutional structure of IMSWM entails a much wider scope of responsibility that marked a departure from the traditional municipal waste management system that seeks to reduce risk to public health by removing waste from homes and cities to the landfill. Integrated waste management incorporates, in addition to reducing risk to public health and the environment, resource conservation and material recovery that promotes social inclusiveness and urban sustainability. The economic implication of implementing a balanced structured MSMW is enormous; not only in terms of financial burdens on the government but also the revenue it generates for local economy and its macroeconomic effects. This study makes use of secondary data and compares municipal waste management systems operated in three developing countries by looking at MWM strategy that optimizes economic efficiency and promotes sustainable development in urban cities that can be applicable to other developing countries.