Publications Municipal Solid Waste Management

Biowaste Management: the key to sustainable municipal solid waste management.Policy Brief No. 4 (2017)[0.9MB]
Treatment technologies for urban solid biowaste to create value products: A review with focus on low- and middle-income settings. Reviews in Environmental Science and Biotechnology Lohri, C.R., Diener, S., Zabaleta, I., Mertenat, A., Zurbrügg, C. (2017) This article provides a comprehensive overview of 13 biowaste treatment technologies, and discusses them in terms of input requirements, process parameters, output products, as well as their potential for low- and middle-income settings.[1.2MB]
Financial sustainability in municipal solid waste management – Costs and revenues in Bahir Dar, EthiopiaC. Lohri, E. Camenzind, C. Zurbrügg (2013) This paper analyses costs and revenues of the main actor in the MSW system of Bahir Dar and presents several options on how financial sustainability can be enhanced[1.4MB]
Global Waste Challenge Eawag Sandec CWG (2008) This booklet aims at rising the awareness of the appalling situation related to Municipal Solid Waste Management in developing countries.[4.0MB]
Improving Municipal Solid Waste Management in India - A Sourcebook for Policy Makers and Practitioners World Bank Institute, Infrastructure Professionals Enterprise, Centre for Environment Education, Eawag/Sandec (2007) This book was written to support training of municipal officers. Although this book is about SWM in India, we expect that its contents will also help local governments throughout the developing world to plan and implement sustainable solutions to the waste management challenge.[2.9MB]
Urban Solid Waste Management in Low-Income Countries of Asia - How to Cope with the Garbage Crisis C. Zurbrügg (2003) This paper was presented at the Scientific Committee on Problems of the Environment (SCOPE) Urban Solid Waste Management Review Session, Durban, South Africa, November 2002. In gives a brief overview on the key issues on municipal solid waste management in the Asian context.[499KB]
Solid Waste Management in Developing Countries C. Zurbrügg (2002) A primer and introduction to the main issues related to solid waste management in developing countries.[164KB]
Main Problems and Issues of Municipal Solid Waste Management in Developing Countries with Emphasis on Problems related to Disposal by Landfill C. Zurbrügg (1998) This paper was presented at the Third Swedish Landfill Research Symposia in October 1998 in Lulea, Sweden. It describes the overall problems developing countries are facing with solid waste management and focuses on the challenges of solid waste disposal. [98KB]
Assessment methods for waste management decision-support in developing countriesCh. Zurbrügg (2013) PhD Thesis, Università degli Studi di Brescia [6.2MB]
Determinants of sustainability in solid waste management – The Gianyar Waste Recovery Project in IndonesiaCh. Zurbrügg, M. Gfrerer, H. Ashadi, W. Brenner, D. Küper (2012) Waste Management 32 (2012) 2126–2133[618KB]
Comparing LCA and CDM Methods - Two ways to calculate Greenhouse Gas Emission Reduction due to Organic Waste TreatmentCh. Zurbrügg, E. Volkart, St. Hellweg (2012) This research study compares three treatment scenarios for organic municipal waste in the context of Cochabamba, Bolivia and quantifies greenhouse gas emissions using LCA and CDM Methods.[521KB]
The use of the Clean Development Mechanism to finance decentralised waste management and wastewater treatment projects in developing countries C. Luethi (2005) Diploma Thesis [519KB]
Baseline Study on Water Supply, Sanitation and Solid Waste in Upper Dharamsala, India B. Sterkele, C. Zurbrügg (2003) This report describes a project conducted with the Tibetan Welfare Office in Dharamsala. Its objective was to assess the situation with regard to water supply and environmental sanitation in McLeod Ganj in order to prioritize for future action. Geographic Information System (GIS) was used to analyse the Water and Sanitation situation.[2.1MB]
Municipal Solid Waste Management. Defining the Baseline C. Zurbrügg (2003) A Checklist for Assessments of Municipal Solid Waste Systems [569KB]

Anaerobic Digestion of Biowaste in Developing CountriesThis book published by Eawag/Sandec compiles existing and recently generated knowledge on AD of urban biowaste at small and medium scale with special consideration given to the conditions prevailing in developing countries.[3.7MB]
Anaerobic Digestion of Biodegradable Solid Waste in Low and Middle-Income Countries - Overview over existing technologies and relevant case studies[0.9MB]
Biogas in Cities - A New Trend? Anaerobic Digestion of Kitchen and Market Waste in Developing Countries (Sandec News 2008)[185KB]
Renewable Energy from Kitchen Waste(Sandec News 2009)[746KB]

Research on Anaerobic Digestion of Organic Solid Waste at Household Level in Dar es Salaam, TanzaniaFinal Report[2.0MB]
Research on Anaerobic Digestion of Organic Solid Waste at Household Level in Dar es Salaam, TanzaniaAppendix[6.8MB]
Technical and Biological Performance of the ARTI compact biogas plant for Kitchen wasteCase study from Tanzania (Proceedings; International Waste Management Symposium Sardinia 2009)[92KB]
Decentralised Co-Digestion of Faecal Sludge with Organic Solid Waste.Case Study in Maseru, Lesotho[4.1MB]
Anaerobic Digestion of Canteen Waste at a Secondary School in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania[3.1MB]
Biogas from Solid Waste. Conception and Construction of a Dry Fermentation Pilot Plant for Developing Countries [4.0MB]

Evaluation of small-scale biogas systems for the treatment of faeces and kitchen waste. Case study Kochi, South India [1.7MB]
Decentralised anaerobic digestion of market waste. Case study in Thiruvananthapuram, India[1.8MB]
Decentralised Anaerobic Digestion of Kitchen and Market Waste in Developing Countries – “State-of-the-Art” in South India. (Proceedings; International Symposium on Energy from Biomass and Waste, Venice 2008)[130KB]

Evaluation of Biogas Sanitation Systems in Nepalese Prisons. IWA-DEWATS Conference 2010[105KB]
Summary of the Report “Evaluation of Biogas Sanitation Systems in Nepalese Prisons”. (on behalf of ICRC)[441KB]
Presentation of the Evaluation Results.(PPT-Presentation)[2.8MB]

Pyrolysis of Biowaste in Low and Middle Income Settings. A Step-by-Step Manual.Zabaleta I., Bulant N., Pfyffer B., Rohr M., Ivumbi E., Mwamlima P., Rajabu H.M., Zurbrügg C. (2018). This publication provides knowledge on a low-tech and cheap technology alternative for slow pyrolysis of urban biowaste. The output, the char, can be used as renewable fuel but also as soil amendment (biochar). This manual is for practical use. It lists all materials, equipment and actions that are required to build and operate a reactor.[19.2MB]
Improving the energy-related aspects of biowaste treatment in an experimental hydrothermal carbonization reactorLohri, C.R., Zabaleta, I., Rohr, M., Baier, U., Zurbrügg, C. (2016). This article presents the merits of mild hydrothermal carbonization and provides information for energy optimization of an HTC system[793KB]
Char fuel production in developing countries – A review of urban biowaste carbonizationCh. Lohri, H.M. Rajabu, D. J. Sweeney, Ch. Zurbrügg (2016) This article reviews existing carbonization technologies and explores the potential of char production to tackle both solid waste and cooking fuel challenges simultaneously.[644KB]

Black Soldier Fly Biowaste ProcessingB. Dortmans, S. Diener, B. Verstappen,C. Zurbrügg (2017)[2.8MB]
Bioaccumulation of heavy metals in the black soldier fly, Hermetia illucens and effects on its life cycle. Journal of Insects as Food and Feed, 1(4)S. Diener, C. Zurbrügg, K. Tockner (2015)[457KB]
Opportunities and constrains for medium-scale organic waste treatment with fly larvae composting. International Waste Management and Landfill Symposium. Cagliari, ItalyS. Diener, C. Lalander, C. Zurbrügg, B. Vinneras (2015)[259KB]
High waste-to-biomass conversion and efficient Salmonella spp. reduction using black soldier fly for waste recycling. Agronomy for Sustainable Development, 35(1)C. Lalander, J. Fidjeland, S. Diener, S. Eriksson, B. Vinnerås (2015)[3.1MB]

Faecal sludge management with the larvae of the black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens) - From a hygiene aspect. Science of The Total Environment. Volumes 458–460.
C. Lalander, S. Diener, M. E. Magri, C. Zurbrügg, A. Lindström, B, Vinnerås (2013).

Decentralised Composting in Developing Countries. Financial and Technical Evaluation in the Case of Asmara CityC. Müller (2006) Diploma Thesis [1.1MB]
Decentralised Composting - Assessment of Viability through Combined Material Flow Analysis and Cost Accounting S. Drescher, Ch. Müller, T. Kubrom, S. Mehari, Ch. Zurbrügg, S. Kytzia (2006). The approach described in this paper assists in visualising the existent solid waste management (SWM) system and estimate cost implications achieved by implementing composting units, seen from the municipality’s viewpoint.[178KB]
Decentralised Composting: Lessons learned and future potentials for meeting the Millennium Development Goals S. Drescher, Ch. Zurbrügg (2006). CWG – WASH Workshop 2006, 1 – 5 February in Kolkata, India[393KB]
Decentralised Composting for Cities of Low- and Middle-Income Countries - A User's ManualS. Rothenberger, C. Zurbrügg, M. Sinha, I. Enayetullah (2006). This book describes approaches and methods of composting on neighbourhood level in small-and middle-scale plants. It considers issues of waste collection, composting technologies, management systems, occupational health concerns, product quality, marketing and end-user demands. The reader is led step by step through the planning, implementing and operational stages of a decentralised composting scheme.[4.1MB]
Compostage urbain décentralisé dans les pays à faibles et moyens revenusManuel de l’utilisateur[3.8MB]
Decentralised Composting for Cities of Low- and Middle-Income Countries - A User's ManualHindi Version[9.2MB]
Decentralised Composting in India S. Drescher, C. Zurbrügg (2004). Chapter 3 of the book "Sustainable Composting. Case studies and guidelines for developing countries"[626KB]
Decentralised Composting of Urban Waste - an Overview of Community and Private Initiatives in Indian Cities C. Zurbrügg, S. Drescher, A. Patel, H.C. Sharatchandra (2004). Waste Management, Volume 24, Issue 7, 2004, Pages 655-662This paper presents the results of a study assessing 17 decentralised systems from the cities of Bangalore, Chennai, Pune, and Mumbai. The schemes were classified according to their organisational setup into: 1) citizens' and community initiatives; 2) business and institution initiatives operating on their premises and, 3) small and medium-size private sector initiatives.[272KB]
Decentralised Composting solution for Indian Cities - A Resource Guide for Municipal Waste Managers C. Zurbrügg, S. Drescher, A. Patel, H.C. Sharatchandra (2004). Short easy to read 6 page document on the main issues of decentralised composting in the Indian context.[560KB]
Taking a closer look at decentralised composting schemes - lessons from India C. Zurbrügg, S. Drescher, Almitra Patel, H.C. Sharatchandra (2003). This paper describes the lessons learned in India on decentralised composting schemes. Published in: Asian Society for Environmental Protection (ASEP) – Newsletter, March 2003 [250KB]
Decentralised Composting in Dhaka, Production of Compost and its Marketing C. Zurbrügg, S. Drescher, I. Rytz, M. Sinha, I. Enayetullah (2002). This conference paper summarises the report by I. Rytz (2001). It concentrates on the description of the composting process, the finances and the marketing strategy of Waste Concern.[57KB]
Fact Sheets of Composting Plants in India S. Drescher (2002). The files contain pictures and technical and organisational information about various decentralised composting sites in India. [705KB]
Decentralised Composting in India: Workshop report C. Zurbrügg, S. Drescher, Almitra Patel, H.C. Sharatchandra (2002). Proceedings of a workshop held in Banglalore in July 2002 on Decentralised composting for Indian Cities. Participants were composting plant managers and community leaders form 6 South Indian Cities.[287KB]
Decentralised Composting in India - Lessons Learned C. Zurbrügg, S. Drescher, Almitra Patel, H.C. Sharatchandra (2002). This paper is a contribution to the WEDC Conference (Nov. 2002 held in Kolkota) and describes the lessons learned from the research study in India on decentralised composting schemes.[663KB]
Assessment of a Decentralised Composting Scheme in Dhaka, Bangladesh - Technical, operational, organisational and financial aspects I. Rytz (2001). This report describes the set-up and process of a decentralised waste collection and composting system of the NGO Waste Concern. It provides detailed information about the material flows, the composting process (indonesian windrow technique), the management as well as a cost-revenues analysis [1.4MB]
Dezentrale Kompostierung von kommunlaen Abfällen in der 10-Millionen Stadt Dhaka, Bangladesch C. Zurbrügg, I. Rytz (2001). This short paper published in the yearly EAWAG report describes the primary collection and decentralised composting scheme in Dhaka, Bangladesh. This article is available in German only. [156KB]

Decentralised composting in Bangladesh, a win-win situation for all stakeholders
C. Zurbrügg, S. Drescher, I. Rytz, A.H. Md. M. Sinha, I. Enayetullah (2004)

The paper describes experiences of Waste Concern, a research based Non-Governmental Organisation, with a community-based decentralised composting project in Mirpur, Dhaka, Bangladesh.

Decentralised Co-Digestion of Faecal Sludge with Organic Solid Waste. Case Study in Maseru, Lesotho C. Müller (2009). This study evaluates the biogas plants installed in Maseru, Lesotho, by TED-Borda. These biogas plants treat mainly human faeces, but also kitchen and garden waste and animal manure.[4.1MB]
Co-Composting Reduces Helminth Eggs in Faecal Sludge K. Gallizzi (2003). Results of monitoring the faecal sludge/solid waste pilot co-composting scheme at Buobai, Kumasi (Ghana) for helminth egg removal. Field report.[593KB]
Nitrogen in Co-compost and other chemical compost analyses M. Tanner (2003). Results of monitoring the faecal sludge/solid waste pilot co-composting scheme at Buobai, Kumasi (Ghana) for physico-chemical parameters, notably nitrogen. Field report. [739KB]
Co-composting of Faecal Sludge and Municipal Organic Waste M. Strauss, S. Drescher, C. Zurbrügg, A. Montangero, O. Cofie, P. Drechsel (2003). The review sets out to describe the resource potential of faecal sludge (FS) and organic municipal solid waste (MSW); introduces meaningful characteristics of FS and MSW, and describes options for FS and organic MSW treatment, of which the combined composting (co-composting) constitutes one. The relevant process design and operational parameters for composting and co-composting are discussed. The documents also reports on cases and practices as retrieved from published and grey literature. Open questions are identified and proposals for further field research given.[1.2MB]

Marketing Compost. A Guide for Compost Producers in Low and Middle-Income CountriesJ. Rouse, S. Rothenberger, Ch. Zurbrügg (2008). This guide describes a marketing approach to composting, and is intended to help compost producers run more viable initiatives by unlocking the value of their product.[2.5MB]
Marketing Compost in Nepal. Field Testing of Sandec’s Compost Marketing HandbookA. Frömelt (2007). This report contains a marketing study for two compost producers in Nepal. The survey was done according to Sandec's Marketing Handbook (available from the end of 2007) and gives an overview of the market environment in Nepal, estimates the market demand of compost and makes suggestions on how to promote the product.[1.7MB]
Markets for Compost - a key factor for success of urban composting schemes in developing countries C. Zurbrügg (2003). Description of the rationale on studies into available and potential markets for compost from urban waste, including results from studies in Dar es Salaam and Karachi. By in City Matters Magazine, online Journal of Urbanicity[200KB]
Urban Organic Waste Management in Karachi, Pakistan C. Zurbrügg (2002). This paper is a contribution to the WEDC Conference (Nov. 2002 held in Kolkata) and describes the lessons learned from the research study in Karachi, Pakistan on organic municipal solid waste management and marketing of compost. [120KB]
Decentralised Composting in Dhaka, Production of Compost and its Marketing C. Zurbrügg, S. Drescher, I. Rytz, M. Sinha, I. Enayetullah (2002). This conference paper summarises the report by I. Rytz (2001). It concentrates on the description of the composting process, the finances and the marketing strategy of Waste Concern. [57KB]

Benefits and Risk of the Use of Organic Matter from Asmara Landfill in Agriculture S. Drescher, B. Abraha, Dr. W. Ogbazghi, Dr. M. Tesfai, S. Mehari, T. Kubrom (2004). This workshop report contains the core findings of the study presented to an audience of stakeholders and decision-makers in Asmara. The study comprises technical and socio-economic aspects. It presents the role of visible pollutants, heavy metal content and nutrient content of the material as well as the perceptions of farmers who use the material. The report shows the responses of different stakeholders on the issue and an outlook on further activities. [1.3MB]

Determinants of resilience in community‐led waste managementCh. Zurbrügg, S. Rothenberger (2013). The study identifies and analyses the driving forces, factors of sustainability as well as internal and external factors which influence failure or success of solid waste community‐based initiatives in India.[209KB]
Enhancing Community Motivation and Participation in Solid Waste Management C. Zurbrügg, R. Ahmed (1999). Sandec News No. 4 - This Sandec News article describes a pilot project in Shah Rasool Colony a low income community in Karachi Pakistan where the community initiated a community based primary collection scheme for their neighborhood.[367KB]
Informing, Educating and Motivating Community Members C. Zurbrügg, R. Ahmed (1998). This paper was presented at the Third Swedish Landfill Research Symposia in October 1998 in Lulea, Sweden. It describes a pilot project undertaken in Shah Rasool Colony a low income community in Karachi Pakistan. The project involved an information, education campaign to motivate the community members to initiate a primary waste collection scheme, managed by the community itself.[172KB]

Improving the informal recycling sector through segregation of waste in the household - The case of Dhaka Bangladesh A. Matter, M. Dietschi, C. Zurbrügg (2012). Habitat International 38 (2013) 150e156[1.1MB]
Recyclage des déchets solides à Fada N’Gourma (Burkina Faso). Pratique actuelle et potentialitésP. Bayili, J. Wethe, N. Merky (2006)[2.3MB]

Domestic Refuse Collection in Low Income Urban Areas R. Ahmed, S. Kaukab, R. Schertenleib (1998). The paper presented at the WEDC conference in Islamabad in 1998 describes a project in a slum of Karachi, Pakistan. It covers the issues and experiences with the IEM approach (Information, Education, Motivation) in involving communities in solid waste management with community based schemes. [39KB]
Non-Governmental Refuse Collection in Low-Income Urban Areas R. Pfammatter, R. Schertenleib (1996). This report aims at summarising some of the experience gained with non-governmental refuse collection operated by communities or small private enterprises. Several Annexes provide Checklists, Model Contracts and Selected Cases. [5.1MB]

Department Sanitation, Water and Solid Waste for Development

Sustainability in Solid Waste Management

Anaerobic digestion of organic solid waste

General Publications

Africa

India

Nepal

Char production (slow pyrolysis and HTC) from urban biowaste

Black Soldier (BSF) Biowaste Processing

Decentralized composting

Co-composting of organic waste and faecal sludge

Market demand for compost from organic waste

Organic matter from landfills

Community-based involvement in solid waste management

Recycling of non-organic solid waste

Waste Collection