Waste Management

According to WHO, poor waste disposal practices are responsible for a significant proportion of the world's infectious disease burden. In many areas, municipal sewage is often mixed with industrial waste and in some regions very little wastewater receives treatment before it is discharged into the environment. Resources available in this sub-theme include assessment reports of wastewater treatment plants, national strategies for sewage disposal, among other resources that support sustainable waste management.

Waste Management Resources

Designing Compost Toilets

Publication date:
January 1, 1982
U.S. Agency for International Development
This technical note describes how to design a compost toilet and arrive at three end products: (1) a location map, (2) design drawings of the compost toilet, and (3) a construction materials list. Read the entire technical note before beginning the design process.Read more

Water for the World: Methods of Controlling Enteric Diseases

Publication date:
January 1, 1982
U.S. Agency for International Development
This technical note discusses measures which can be instituted to control the spread of enteric diseases. Special emphasis is given to basic preventive measures that should be taken to provide hygienic conditions in individual households and in the entire community.Read more

Methods of Solid Waste Management

Publication date:
January 1, 1982
U.S. Agency for International Development
Methods of solid waste management are described in this technical note including: landfill, composting, and biogas systems. A solid waste management collection system must go along with all three management methods. All these methods can be built and operated using locally available materials.Read more

Designing Bucket Latrines

Publication date:
January 1, 1982
U.S. Agency for International Development
This technical note describes how to design a bucket latrine and arrive at these end products: (1) a location map, (2) design drawings of the bucket latrine, (3) a construction materials list, and (4) an operation materials list. Read the entire technical note before beginning the design process.Read more

Designing Sumps, Soakage Pits and Soakage Trenches

Publication date:
January 1, 1982
U.S. Agency for International Development
This technical note describes how to design sumps, soakage pits, and soakage trenches and how to produce three end products: (1) a location map, (2) technical drawings of the disposal system, and (3) a construction materials list. Read the entire technical note before beginning the design process.Read more

Designing a Composting System

Publication date:
January 1, 1982
U.S. Agency for International Development
This technical note describes how to design a composting system and arrive at the essential end-products. A composting system is a means of turning garbage, animal manure, other organic wastes, and, in some cases, excreta into compost. Read the entire technical note before beginning the design...Read more

Overview of Sanitation

Publication date:
January 1, 1982
U.S. Agency for International Development
This technical note on sanitation are divided into three series: (1) Simple Excreta and Wash water Disposal, (2) Combined Excreta and Wash water Disposal, and (3) Solid Waste Disposal. Within each series, the technical notes are organized according to methods, planning, design, construction,...Read more

Constructing Pits for Privies

Publication date:
January 1, 1982
U.S. Agency for International Development
This technical note describes each step in constructing a pit for privies. The pit beneath a privy receives and holds excreta. The pit prevents contamination of groundwater and the spread of disease by keeping the excreta away from humans, animals, and insects. Read the entire technical note before...Read more

Planning Solid Waste Management Systems

Publication date:
January 1, 1982
U.S. Agency for International Development
This technical note discusses planning and implementation of eight key activities in planning solid waste management systems including: (1) recognizing the problem, (2) organizing community support and setting objectives, (3) collecting data, (4) formulating alternatives, (5) selecting methods, (6...Read more

Designing Privy Shelters

Publication date:
January 1, 1982
U.S. Agency for International Development
This technical note provides guidance on designing privy shelters. A privy shelter is a screen or structure that gives the person using the privy privacy. Depending on the design, a shelter can protect the privy and the user from the weather and keep out flies, rates, scavenging dogs, and other...Read more

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