International Journal of Urban Sustainable Development

Innovative Approaches to Urban Waste Management in Developing Countries

Developing countries in Africa, Asia and Latin America and the Caribbean grapple with mounting urban waste management challenges driven by rapid urbanization, population growth, industrialization, and changing consumption patterns. These factors have escalated waste generation, often surpassing the financial and infrastructural capacities of local authorities. Issues such as limited land availability, financial constraints, uncoordinated waste disposal practices, low community engagement, and weak policy implementation and monitoring have further exacerbated the problem. Research on integrating the informal sector, exploring innovative financing models, adapting advanced technologies, understanding sociocultural factors, and establishing reliable, standardized data systems is critical but remains insufficient. Addressing these challenges demands scientific research to drive innovative, sustainable waste management solutions. This article collection seeks to compile evidence on emerging strategies and challenges in urban waste management across developing countries. The insights generated will be invaluable in helping these nations develop long-term, innovative solutions that enhance environmental sustainability and urban resilience.

Research on innovative waste management approaches is crucial for shaping effective policies. Investigating the integration of informal waste pickers and recyclers into formal systems can reveal inclusive frameworks that enhance efficiency and livelihoods. Financing waste management remains a challenge, necessitating studies into models like public-private partnerships, micro-financing, and pay-as-you-throw systems to assess their feasibility in developing countries. Additionally, identifying cost-effective, scalable, and culturally appropriate technologies is vital for sustainable waste solutions tailored to local contexts. Understanding human attitudes and behaviors toward waste disposal is equally important, as it informs interventions that drive behavioral change and community engagement. Reliable, standardized data collection is also essential for designing efficient waste collection and monitoring systems, enabling informed decision-making and continuous improvement. By addressing these areas—integration, financing, technology, behavior, and data—research can provide actionable insights for developing holistic, sustainable, and inclusive waste management strategies that meet current and future challenges.

The collection seeks papers on emerging approaches to waste management in developing countries. The specific subthemes include but are not limited to the following

• Informal waste sector integration
• Innovative waste management financing
• Technology adaptation and transfer
• Behavioural and cultural factors in waste management
• Waste data and monitoring systems
• Waste reduction, reuse, recycle,
• Circular economy transition

Keywords:

1. Innovation
2. Policy framework
3. Financing model
4. Waste management
5. 5. Social protection

­­All manuscripts submitted to this Article Collection will undergo a full peer-review; the Guest Advisor for this Collection will not be handling the manuscripts (unless they are an Editorial Board member).

Please review the journal scope and author submission instructions prior to submitting a manuscript.

The deadline for submitting manuscripts is November 21, 2025.

Please contact Ibrahim Abu Abdulai at iaabdulai@ubids.edu.gh and Moses Naiim Fuseini at moses.fuseini@ubids.edu.gh with any queries and discount codes regarding this Article Collection.

Dr. Ibrahim Abu Abdulai holds a PhD in Development Studies from the University of Cape Coast, Ghana. His research interest centers on urban studies with a special focus on urban suitability, waste agreement peace, and security. He also researches climate change and development policy. He has written and published in high-impact local and international journals. He teaches Development Theories, Development Communication, Entrepreneurship and Innovation, and Local Economic Development at the Simon Diedong Dombo University of Business and Integrated Development Studies, Wa in Ghana where he works. Dr Ibrahim Abu Abdulai has enormous expertise in qualitative and quantitative research approaches and associated SPSS, Stata, and NVivo software applications for quantitative and qualitative data analysis. He has published in high impact peer review journals like Cleaner Waste Systems, International Journal of Urban Sustainable Development, World Development Perspectives among others. Dr Abdulai has undertaken several research and development consultancy services for organizations like Care International, Plan Ghana, CRS Ghana, and the International Water Management Institute.

Institutional page: https://ubids.edu.gh/ 

ORCID page: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5813-2386

Dr. Moses Naiim Fuseini is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Public Policy and Management at Simon Diedong Dombo University of Business and Integrated Development Studies, Ghana. He holds a PhD in Development Studies from the University of Cape Coast, Ghana, and has a strong academic and research background in solid waste management, social protection, poverty, and livelihoods. Dr. Fuseini has published extensively in renowned refereed journals, including Cleaner Waste Systems, Development in Practice, Heliyon, and SN Social Sciences, among others. His expertise and contributions to academia extend beyond research, as he has served as a reviewer for multiple high-impact journals and is currently an Associate Editor for SN Social Sciences. With a commitment to advancing knowledge in public policy and sustainable development, Dr. Fuseini continues to engage in impactful research and scholarly discourse aimed at addressing key societal challenges.

Institutional page: https://ubids.edu.gh/ 

ORCID page: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0830-5752

Conflict of Interest Disclosure

The Guest Advisors do not have any Conflicts of Interest to disclose.