Waste management
With rapid urbanization in many countries, the generation of solid waste in cities is ever increasing, while possible disposal areas for solid waste are diminishing. As a result, cities and towns in both developing and developed countries are facing the challenge of managing municipal solid waste.
In developing countries, the per capita generation of solid waste has increased by 50%-100% over the last 20 years. Solid waste collection systems in many cities cannot cope with the increasing volume of solid waste. Collection service coverage of 70% is not uncommon in developing countries. More collection vehicles and workers, which are required, would increase the cost of collection services.
In most developing countries, solid waste is disposed in open dumpsites with waste pickers. These inadequate municipal solid waste management systems cause environmental and public health problems. Since the mid-1980s, WHO has been supporting countries to strengthen their national capacity in municipal solid waste management.
[more on this health topic]
Fact sheets
News and press releases
03 November 2008
Korean cities win awards for their public toilets
[full text]
19 March 2008
Sanitation is vital for human health
[full text]
6 February 2008
WHO's response to the International Year of Sanitation
[full text]
26 September 2003
Inadequate plumbing systems likely contributed to SARS transmission
[full text]
Relevant publications and documents
Workshop on Health Care Waste Management: Planning and Implementation
Workshop on Health-care Waste Management in Pacific Island Countries, Nadi, Fiji, 2-5 December 2002
The Workshop on Health-care Waste Management in Pacific Island Countries was conducted in Nadi, Fiji from 2 to 5 December 2002 by the World Health Organization (WHO) Western Pacific Regional Office. The objectives of the workshop were to: 1) assess each country's situation with respect to health-care waste management practices and identify priority areas requiring improvement; 2) delineate appropriate technology options for health-care waste management in Pacific Island countries; 3) identify practical approaches to building capacity in developing and sustaining health-care waste management systems in Pacific Island countries; and 4) formulate country specific work plans to improve health-care waste management. The workshop was attended by 19 participants from Cook Islands, Fiji, Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga and Vanuatu, an observer from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), a WHO consultant and five WHO staff members, serving as the secretariat.
[more publications and documents]
Upcoming meetings and events
No meeting/event planned at this time.