Municipal Solid Waste Management: A Comparative Study Of Practices In Emerging Economies

Abstract

Municipal solid waste management (MSWM) has emerged as a critical sustainability challenge for rapidly urbanizing regions, particularly in emerging economies. This study conducts a comparative assessment of MSWM practices across five representative cities; Delhi (India), São Paulo (Brazil), Jakarta (Indonesia), Johannesburg (South Africa), and Lagos (Nigeria) to evaluate the effectiveness of existing systems and identify key determinants of performance. Using a mixed-method approach, both quantitative and qualitative data were analyzed through descriptive statistics, regression modeling, and cluster analysis. The results reveal significant variations in waste generation, collection efficiency, and recycling performance across the cities, largely influenced by differences in institutional capacity, policy enforcement, technological adoption, and community participation. São Paulo and Johannesburg demonstrated superior performance due to integrated governance and technological innovation, while Lagos exhibited low efficiency stemming from limited financial and institutional resources. Regression results confirmed institutional capacity and policy framework as the strongest predictors of MSWM performance (R² = 0.79), highlighting the need for integrated, multi-stakeholder approaches. The study concludes that sustainable waste management in emerging economies depends on harmonizing governance, technology, and social participation within a circular economy framework to achieve long-term urban resilience and environmental sustainability.