WASH in Emergencies Problem Exploration Report: Solid Waste Management

Solid waste is a very visible issue in an emergency, but it is often a neglected area of environmental sanitation. It is a diffuse problem that can impact adversely on health, sanitation, drainage and the wider environment. Solid waste also affects public space, reducing the sense of ownership of the problem, both to the general population and to the aid agencies providing relief. Changing the way waste is viewed and what perspective it is viewed from introduces some novel ways to rethink the issues. This report identifies three contrasting areas as being worth exploring based on better processes, better communication, and better technology.