• Coordinated use of a set of waste management methods(Source:http://www.gdrc.org/uem/waste/swm-glossary.html)

• Integrated Solid Waste Management (ISWM) is a comprehensive waste prevention, recycling, composting, and disposal program. An effective ISWM system considers how to prevent, recycle, and manage solid waste in ways that most effectively protect human health and the environment.

• ISWM involves evaluating local needs and conditions, and then selecting and combining the most appropriate waste management activities for those conditions.

(Source: http://www.epa.gov/climatechange/wycd/waste/downloads/overview.pdf)

Source: www.elsevier.com/ locate/wasman: Article on ‘Systems approaches to integrated solid waste management in developing countries’

• An integrated approach to solid waste management, which will enable local/ national authorities to reduce the overall amount of waste generated and to recover valuable materials for recycling and for the generation of energy. This has the potential to augment the revenue of waste management activities, which will, in turn, help to compensate the expenditures for solid waste management.

(Source: http://www.unep.org/gpwm/FocalAreas/IntegratedSolidWasteManagement/tabid/56457/Default.aspx)

• An ISWM Plan per se is a package consisting of a Management System including:

– Policies (regulatory, fiscal, etc.), – Technologies (basic equipment and operational aspects) – Voluntary measures (awareness raising, self regulations)

• The concept of ISWM strives to strike a balance between three dimensions of waste management: environmental effectiveness, social acceptability, and economic affordability.

Source: UNEP

Source: UNEP

Benefits of ISWM:• Cleaner and safe neighbourhoods• Higher resource use efficiency• Resource augmentation• Savings in waste management costs due to reduced levels of final waste

for disposal• Better business opportunities and economic growth• Local ownership & responsibilities / participation

Benefits of ISWM:• Cleaner and safe neighbourhoods• Higher resource use efficiency• Resource augmentation• Savings in waste management costs due to reduced levels of final waste

for disposal• Better business opportunities and economic growth• Local ownership & responsibilities / participation