Main Article Content
Abstract
This research aims to explore the effectiveness of tailored waste management strategies in developing countries, drawing lessons from both successful models in similar economies and advanced practices in developed countries. By examining case studies like Teocelo, Veracruz in Mexico, and analyzing the ambitious waste management targets of the European Union, this study proposes a hybrid approach that integrates community-based strategies, formal and informal sector collaboration, and customized regional policies. Through qualitative and quantitative analysis, this research seeks to test propositions related to the adaptation of waste management strategies, the role of community engagement, and the potential for developing countries to leapfrog to sustainable waste management practices by learning from developed nations. The goal is to identify scalable and sustainable waste management practices that can address the unique challenges faced by developing countries, while also contributing to global environmental goals. This research contributes to the literature by offering a nuanced understanding of how developing countries can navigate the complexities of waste management by adopting, adapting, and innovating practices suited to their socio-economic and environmental contexts. By bridging the gap between the advanced waste management systems of developed countries and the emerging practices in developing nations, this study aims to provide actionable insights for policymakers, environmental managers, and community leaders working towards sustainable waste management solutions.
Keywords
Article Details

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
References
- Awomeso. (2010). Waste Disposal and Pollution Management in Urban Areas: A Workable Remedy for the Environment in Developing Countries. American Journal of Environmental Sciences, 6(1), 26–32. https://doi.org/10.3844/ajessp.2010.26.32
- Brunner, P. H., & Fellner, J. (2007). Setting priorities for waste management strategies in developing countries. Waste Management & Research: The Journal for a Sustainable Circular Economy, 25(3), 234–240. https://doi.org/10.1177/0734242X07078296
- Fagnani, E., & Guimar∼ aes, J. e R. (2017). Waste management plan for higher education institutions in developing countries: The Continuous Improvement Cycle model. Journal of Cleaner Production, 147, 108–118. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2017.01.080
- Hoareau, C. E., Ahmad, N., Nuid, M., Rubiyatno, Khoi, D. N., & Kristanti, R. A. (2021). Sustainable Technology in Developed Countries: Waste Municipal Management. Industrial and Domestic Waste Management, 1(1), 48–55. https://doi.org/10.53623/idwm.v1i1.49
- Leal Filho, W., Brandli, L., Moora, H., Kruopien. e, J., & Stenmarck, Å. (2016). Benchmarking approaches and methods in the field of urban waste management. Journal of Cleaner Production, 112, 4377–4386. https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2015.09.065
- Lorena De Medina-Salas, Eduardo Castillo-Gonz ¡lez, Mario Rafael Giraldi-D az, V. . F. ¡ndez-Rosales, & Carlos Manuel Welsh Rodr guez. (2020). A Successful Case in Waste Management in Developing Countries.
- Maalouf, A., & Agamuthu, P. (2023). Waste management evolution in the last five decades in developing countries – A review. Waste Management & Research: The Journal for a Sustainable Circular Economy, 41(9), 1420–1434. https://doi.org/10.1177/0734242x231160099
- Navarro Ferronato, V. Torretta, M. Ragazzi, & E. Rada. (2017). Waste mismanagement in developing countries: A case study of environmental contamination. https://doi.org/10.3390%2Fijerph16061060
- R. Srivastava. (2016). Waste Management: Developed and Developing Countries.
- Ray, A. (2008). Waste Management in Developing Asia. The Journal of Environment & Development, 17(1), 3–25. https://doi.org/10.1177/1070496507310742
- Rushbrook, P. E., & Finnecy, E. E. (1988). Planning for Future Waste Management Operations in Developing Countries. Waste Management & Research: The Journal for a Sustainable Circular Economy, 6(1), 1–21. https://doi.org/10.1177/0734242X8800600101
- S. Cointreau. (1982). Environmental management of urban solid wastes in developing countries: A project guide. https://doi.org/10.4236/jep.2019.108063
- S. Mallak, F. Elfghi, Premkumar Rajagopal, V. Vaezzadeh, & Marziye Fallah. (n.d.). Overview of Waste Management Performance of Industrial Sectors by Selected Asian Countries: Current Practices and Issues. https://doi.org/10.7763/IPCBEE.2016.V99.8
- Waste Management: Developed and Developing. (2016). International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR), 5(3), 202–203.
- Wilson, D. C., Velis, C. A., & Rodic, L. (2013). Integrated sustainable waste management in developing countries. Proceedings of the Institution of Civil Engineers - Waste and Resource Management, 166(2), 52–68. http://dx.doi.org/10.1680/warm.12.00005
- Zavodska, A. (2009). A Practical Approach to Future Municipal Solid Waste Management in Developing Countries-A Closer Look at Georgetown, Guyana. The Journal of Solid Waste Technology and Management, 35(3), 162–168. http://dx.doi.org/10.5276/JSWTM.2009.162
References
Awomeso. (2010). Waste Disposal and Pollution Management in Urban Areas: A Workable Remedy for the Environment in Developing Countries. American Journal of Environmental Sciences, 6(1), 26–32. https://doi.org/10.3844/ajessp.2010.26.32
Brunner, P. H., & Fellner, J. (2007). Setting priorities for waste management strategies in developing countries. Waste Management & Research: The Journal for a Sustainable Circular Economy, 25(3), 234–240. https://doi.org/10.1177/0734242X07078296
Fagnani, E., & Guimar∼ aes, J. e R. (2017). Waste management plan for higher education institutions in developing countries: The Continuous Improvement Cycle model. Journal of Cleaner Production, 147, 108–118. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2017.01.080
Hoareau, C. E., Ahmad, N., Nuid, M., Rubiyatno, Khoi, D. N., & Kristanti, R. A. (2021). Sustainable Technology in Developed Countries: Waste Municipal Management. Industrial and Domestic Waste Management, 1(1), 48–55. https://doi.org/10.53623/idwm.v1i1.49
Leal Filho, W., Brandli, L., Moora, H., Kruopien. e, J., & Stenmarck, Å. (2016). Benchmarking approaches and methods in the field of urban waste management. Journal of Cleaner Production, 112, 4377–4386. https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2015.09.065
Lorena De Medina-Salas, Eduardo Castillo-Gonz ¡lez, Mario Rafael Giraldi-D az, V. . F. ¡ndez-Rosales, & Carlos Manuel Welsh Rodr guez. (2020). A Successful Case in Waste Management in Developing Countries.
Maalouf, A., & Agamuthu, P. (2023). Waste management evolution in the last five decades in developing countries – A review. Waste Management & Research: The Journal for a Sustainable Circular Economy, 41(9), 1420–1434. https://doi.org/10.1177/0734242x231160099
Navarro Ferronato, V. Torretta, M. Ragazzi, & E. Rada. (2017). Waste mismanagement in developing countries: A case study of environmental contamination. https://doi.org/10.3390%2Fijerph16061060
R. Srivastava. (2016). Waste Management: Developed and Developing Countries.
Ray, A. (2008). Waste Management in Developing Asia. The Journal of Environment & Development, 17(1), 3–25. https://doi.org/10.1177/1070496507310742
Rushbrook, P. E., & Finnecy, E. E. (1988). Planning for Future Waste Management Operations in Developing Countries. Waste Management & Research: The Journal for a Sustainable Circular Economy, 6(1), 1–21. https://doi.org/10.1177/0734242X8800600101
S. Cointreau. (1982). Environmental management of urban solid wastes in developing countries: A project guide. https://doi.org/10.4236/jep.2019.108063
S. Mallak, F. Elfghi, Premkumar Rajagopal, V. Vaezzadeh, & Marziye Fallah. (n.d.). Overview of Waste Management Performance of Industrial Sectors by Selected Asian Countries: Current Practices and Issues. https://doi.org/10.7763/IPCBEE.2016.V99.8
Waste Management: Developed and Developing. (2016). International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR), 5(3), 202–203.
Wilson, D. C., Velis, C. A., & Rodic, L. (2013). Integrated sustainable waste management in developing countries. Proceedings of the Institution of Civil Engineers - Waste and Resource Management, 166(2), 52–68. http://dx.doi.org/10.1680/warm.12.00005
Zavodska, A. (2009). A Practical Approach to Future Municipal Solid Waste Management in Developing Countries-A Closer Look at Georgetown, Guyana. The Journal of Solid Waste Technology and Management, 35(3), 162–168. http://dx.doi.org/10.5276/JSWTM.2009.162