The Solid Waste Management Toolkit for Developing Countries - Supporting Tools and Resources
The EPA's Solid Waste Management Toolkit for Developing Countries provides essential guidance for improving waste systems in low- and middle-income contexts. These resources are designed to strengthen technical and financial planning, encourage inclusion and participatory approaches, and support data-driven decision making and the achievement of sustainability goals.
Waste Characterization Handbook and Data Tool
U.S. EPA
This handbook and accompanying Excel tool help decision-makers and solid waste professionals plan and conduct waste characterization studies to understand the composition of waste streams.
Waste Characterization Handbook (pdf) (794 KB).
Waste Characterization Tool (xlsx) (1.1 MB).
Waste Characterization Data Tool Worksheet (docx) (340 KB).
Trash Free Waters Guide
U.S. EPA
The Trash Free Waters (TFW) Guide helps communities launch programs to reduce marine litter from land-based sources. Developed by the U.S. EPA, it brings together stakeholders to identify local challenges and create practical solutions for improving solid waste management.
Financial Readiness Framework
Global Methane Initiative
The Financial Readiness Framework for Organic Waste Management, developed by the U.S. EPA in support of the Global Methane Initiative, offers practical guidance to help stakeholders finance projects, reduce investment risks, and improve project bankability.
Solid Waste Emissions Estimate Tool
U.S. EPA
Free, Excel-based tool that quantifies emissions of various air pollutants from sources in the municipal solid waste sector. The tool provides emissions estimates, as well as emissions reduction estimates, at the project-, source-, and municipality-level.
Solid Waste Emissions Estimation Tool (SWEET) v5.0 (xlsx) (1.1 MB).
SWEET Data Collection Worksheet (pdf) (499 KB).
SWEET User Manual (docs) (1,513 KB).
Best Practices for Landfill and Organic Waste Management Training
U.S. EPA
Four-part training series focused on proven approaches and case studies for duplicate closure and remediation; sanitary landfill construction, operation, and maintenance; organic waste treatment; feedstock management, emissions measurement, reporting and verification; and useful tools and resources. Download the following training links below.
Session One | October 28, 2024
Methane and Landfills Slides (pdf) (4,770 KB).
Session One Recording (Video).
Session Two | October 29, 2024
Methane Mitigation Through Best Practices for Organic Waste Treatment Slides (pdf) (3,871 KB).
Session Two Recording (Video).
Session Three | October 30, 2024
Managing Feedstock Best Practices for Solid Waste Source Separation Slides (pdf) (4,770 KB).
Session Three Recording (Video).
Session Four | October 31, 2024
Evaluating Methane Emission Reductions and Other Benefits of Organic Waste Management Projects Slides (pdf) (3,609 KB).
Session Four Recording (Video).
OrganEcs Tool
U.S. EPA
Free, Excel-based cost estimating tool for managing source-separated organic waste. Local governments, waste professionals, policymakers, facility operators, and project developers can use the tool to help them make financial decisions about their potential organic waste management projects.
OrganEcs Compost Version 3.1 (xlsm) (3.8 MB).
OrganEcs Anaerobic Digestion Version 3.1 (xlsx) (3.8 MB).
OrganEcs User Manual (docs) (1,186 KB).
Landfill Gas Screening Tool
U.S. EPA
Free, Excel-based tool designed to assist cities in assessing the potential feasibility of a landfill gas energy project. The tool provides preliminary estimates of how much landfill gas a site could collect and whether that fuel supply is likely sufficient to support a modest-sized landfill gas energy project.
Landfill Gas Screening Tool (xlsx) (3.8 MB).
Landfill Gas Screening Tool User Manual (docs) (2.6 MB).
Proven Practice Guide to Improve Waste Management and Address Plastic Pollution in Southeast Asia
U.S. EPA
The purpose of this guide is to share "proven practices"—good practices with demonstrated effectiveness—that facilitate achievement of improved waste collection, waste management, and reduction of plastic pollution in Southeast Asia. The guide aims to holistically examine aspects of plastic pollution mitigation projects across a spectrum of implementation areas, which are detailed in the proven practice modules and include: stakeholder engagement, capacity building, implementation, social and behavior change, data and evaluation, and financing.
How India's Cleanest City Reduces Methane Emissions from Municipal Solid Waste Case Study
U.S. EPA
Indore, the largest city in the state of Madhya Pradesh, has consistently ranked the "cleanest city in India" since 2017. In October 2023, the U.S. EPA, on behalf of the Global Methane Initiative, conducted a study tour of Indore that brought other waste management officials to learn about Indore's improved waste management.
How India's Cleanest City Reduces Methane Emissions (pdf) (776 KB).
Public Participation Guide
U.S. EPA
EPA's Public Participation Guide provides tools for public participation and public outreach in environmental decision-making. It will help you identify some of the best practices for planning, skills, and behaviors that government agencies can use to design and implement a meaningful public participation program.