Integrated analysis for supporting solid waste management development projects in low to middle income countries: The NAVA-CE approach

Abstract

Developments in solid waste management (SWM) are challenging in low to middle-income countries. The cooperation among local and international actors can support the introduction of small-scale solutions in order to sustain the implementation of waste recycling systems. The objective of this paper is to present the steps forward in the submission of development projects focused on the execution of circular economy principles. The study was conducted in La Paz, Bolivia, where SWM indicators, interviews with local stakeholders and citizens, the analysis of the environmental impacts through life cycle assessment, and the implementation of small-scale selective collection systems were implemented for assessing local opportunities in recycling. The technical methods, the cooperation network, and the analysis conducted during four years of research are summarized and presented, introducing a case study novel in the scientific literature. Results reported that the cooperation among local and international stakeholders, together with the implementation of technical studies, allows drafting and submitting development projects for obtaining international funding that can be used for starting SWM pilot actions. The approach employed, here called NAVA-CE – Net Added Value Assessment of a Circular Economy – can be of interest to international actors involved in SWM and development cooperation for supporting a sustainable future.