This paper uses the lens of ‘integrated sustainable waste management’ to examine how cities in developing countries have been tackling their solid waste problems. The history of related concepts and terms is reviewed, and ISWM is clearly differentiated from integrated waste management, used mostly in the context of technological integration in developed countries. Instead, integrated sustainable waste management examines both the physical components (collection, disposal and recycling) and the governance aspects (inclusivity of users and service providers; financial sustainability; coherent, sound institutions underpinned by proactive policies). The data show that performance has improved significantly over the last 10 years. Levels of collection coverage and controlled disposal of 95% in middle-income and 50% in low-income cities are already commonplace. Recycling rates of 20–30% are achieved by the informal sector in many lower income countries, at no direct cost to the city – presenting a major opportunity for all key stakeholders if the persistent challenges can be resolved. The evidence suggests that efficient, effective and affordable systems are tailored to local needs and conditions, developed with direct involvement of service beneficiaries. Despite the remaining challenges, evidence of recent improvements suggests that sustainable solid waste and resources management is feasible for developing countries.

Several formalisation approaches of informal recycling have been implemented in developing countries, aiming at its integration into formal recycling systems. These strategies are often implemented through the initiative of local recyclers and non-government organisations. The aim is to tackle not only the poor economic situation but also common social problems of the informal recycling sector, such as social rejection, lack of education and inappropriate health and working conditions. Nevertheless, the expected positive social impacts are not precisely assessed or measured. This paper aims to develop a methodological approach based on the social life cycle assessment methodology for the assessment of recycling systems in developing countries with implemented formalisation measures. A field study in three Peruvian cities shows the feasibility of applying this methodology for assessing recycling systems. The case studies displayed negative performances regarding the indicators of discrimination, recognised employment relationships, and fulfilment of social benefits, physical working conditions and access to education. Regarding freedom of association, psychological working conditions and social acceptance, the city with formalisation of (formerly informal) recyclers obtained better evaluations whereas the city without formalisation was better evaluated in terms of working time and minimum and fair wages.

Wastewater must be treated, and it is part of the development process of a given country to extend sewer networks and to build wastewater treatment plants. Wastewater treatment inevitably generates sewage sludge, and a trend for extending wastewater treatment infrastructures implies increasing quantities of sewage sludge produced. The fate of such a residue is a key environmental issue. The existing European environmental legislation is becoming more and more restrictive, namely in terms of the obligation to reduce environmental impacts resulting from the disposal of this particular waste, where land spreading is still the most common technique to do so. There are some interesting alternative processes relating to sewage sludge treatment, aiming at avoiding its disposal on land or in landfill and to allow it to be more environmentally friendly. This paper reviews recent research to make sewage sludge disposal safer, more environmentally friendly and still to obtain some benefit from it, namely energy, from its organic content. Topics covered include incineration, anaerobic digestion, pyrolysis and gasification, with a view to contributing to an integrated response to the problem of sewage sludge treatment and disposal.

European waste markets all fall under the joint regulatory framework determined by European Union (EU) legislation. Despite this, there are still strong structural differences among the EU-27 countries, such as differences in national quotas for recycling, landfilling and energy from waste (Ef W). In particular, in the most mature markets, it is clear that Ef W contributes significantly to sustainable waste management – not opposing, but complementing, recycling. Comparing the German Ef W market, as a mature market, and the UK market, which can be regarded as a growth market in Ef W, several differences are obvious. These include waste arisings, national legislation, planning frameworks, support instruments, number and size of market participants and the existing Ef W plant structure and technology. MVV Umwelt, with an incineration capacity of 1·4 Mt/year (non-recyclable waste and biomass), is one of the market leaders in Germany, and it has also been active in the UK market since September 2008. In March 2011, it signed a project agreement with the South West Devon Waste Partnership for the design, finance, construction and 25 year operation of an Ef W combined heat and power (CHP) plant in Plymouth. Planning permission for the project was granted in February 2012. The main focus of the company’s operations, not only in Germany but also in UK projects, lies in energy efficiency as well as CHP energy generation.