Solid waste management (SWM) is a pressing challenge for cities along the Mekong River. Rapid urbanization, shifting consumption patterns, and economic growth have intensified waste generation, placing immense pressure on existing waste management systems. When mismanaged, waste pollution not only degrades local environments but also threatens regional ecosystems. Pollutants from these urban centers flow into the Mekong River—a lifeline for millions—eventually reaching the ocean and impacting multiple countries.
Addressing this challenge requires a shift towards circular economy principles, emphasizing waste reduction, material reuse, and sustainable consumption. Effective SWM must go beyond traditional “collect and dispose” models, incorporating policies and systems that enhance resource efficiency and resilience.
Blueprint for Circular Cities: Solid Waste Management in the Mekong Region serves as a practical guide for urban stakeholders, including local governments, civil society, and development partners. Developed under the Urban Mekong Corridor Initiative (UMCI), a Cities Alliance program focused on sustainable urban development, this blueprint offers a structured approach to SWM tailored to the unique needs of Mekong cities.
Grounded in both global best practices and local realities, the blueprint outlines key system requirements for sustainable waste management, including governance frameworks, operational guidelines, and collaborative strategies. By integrating circular economy principles into urban planning, this resource empowers cities to develop waste management systems that are efficient, adaptable, and sustainable in the long term.
The blueprint features:
- An introduction to circular waste management, highlighting the transition from linear waste practices to circular solutions that prioritize resource efficiency and material reuse.
- System requirements, detailing the legislative, governance, and stakeholder frameworks necessary for effective SWM.
- An operational focus, covering the five key stages of the SWM supply chain: waste generation, collection, sorting, processing, and disposal.
This blueprint was developed as part of the Resilient Systems of Secondary Cities and Migration Dynamics Programme, funded by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation and implemented by Cities Alliance. It serves as a roadmap for Mekong cities to build resilient, circular waste management systems that protect both urban and natural environments.
For an accessible overview, a summary of the publication is also available.
Cities Alliance is a global partnership fighting urban poverty and supporting cities to deliver sustainable development. To manage its activities, the Cities Alliance operates a multi-donor fund with UNOPS as host and Trustee.