In response to this need for locally
appropriate waste management, there
is a growing recognition of the value of
adopting more integrated approaches
to waste management, both in terms of
the scope of issues considered as well
as the specific options considered for
managing waste. By extending the
scope of issues considered, waste
management practices are more likely
to be appropriate to the local context at
a social, institutional and economic
level as well as the traditional areas of
focus on technical, financial and
environmental issues. Integrated
approaches to solid waste management
also place the problems of waste
management in the context of the
system of production and
consumption, not just as end-of pipe
activities. Integrated Solid Waste
Management can therefore provide a
helpful framework for decision makers
to use when planning waste
management interventions.
Although originally developed as a
framework for solid waste
management in general, the principles
of integrated solid waste management
are equally applicable to the specific
challenges of managing waste from
food. When applied in developing and
transitional countries, this means
decision makers choosing practices
and levels of technology and
mechanisation that are appropriate to
the level of local development,
available manpower, financial
resources and the capacity of local
institutions to implement and manage
the chosen schemes. It also typically
requires greater recognition and
integration of the role of micro and
small enterprises in the formal waste
management system. This in turn
demands an understanding of the
important role of these waste related
activities in the livelihoods of many of
the poorest and most vulnerable
people in society.
If the management of waste from food
is to deliver far greater levels of
recycling and reuse, then localising
waste management practices will also
mean the development of practices
which are tailored to fit the
characteristics of the different waste
streams and the needs of potential
local users of waste, from poor local
farmers to commercial compost
manufacturers and waste dealers.
4.4 Greater and systematic
participation of stakeholders
It is now widely acknowledge that
public services and infrastructure
should be responsive to the demands
of the people being served. This is
most likely to happen if the groups of
primary stakeholders are able to
effectively participate in the decision
making processes.
Solid waste management affects the
lives of a great variety of people, not
just the primary users of the waste
services. As such, it is not sufficient
only to consider the needs of the
service users but also other groups of
stakeholders affected by waste
management practices. This includes:
•Everyone in the formal solid waste
management system.
•Micro and small enterprises and those
within the informal sector whose