Toward Community-Based Waste Management: Tehran as a Case Example

Abstract

This paper analyses the community-based waste management (CBWM) process in region one municipality of Tehran, Iran and reports the roles and actions of the community level stakeholders in this process and their relationship with the city authorities. This study also describes reasons that justify the need for a CBWM approach and explains the rationale for community participation. Based on semi structured interviews and direct observation conducted on the field in region one municipality of Tehran, it was found that, despite efforts to improve community participation in waste management, there is a lack of comprehension in the participation of community level stakeholders such as NGOs/CBOs, neighbourhood council, private sector (formal and informal), that must be included simultaneously to improve the planning, implementation and evaluation of municipal solid waste management.