Waste Management Outlook for Mountain Regions

wealth of experience due to the demand from its agricultural sector (UNEP and ISWA, 2015). In 2012, Mexico City opened its first large-scale composting plant, with the intention of using the compost to fertilize parks and green spaces, with plans to eventually sell it to agricultural producers (Villagran, 2012). Bolivian cities also have experience in developing small-scale manual or semi-mechanized composting plants. Such initiatives can help generate employment, enhance the social inclusion of waste pickers and encourage the further use of composting. Recycling and social inclusion The recycling of paper, plastics, glass and metals, has also been on the rise in several mountainous developing countries and cities, with initiatives also promoting the social inclusion of informal recyclers working on the streets and in open dumps. Since 2011, the city of Bogotá (Colombia) has promoted separation at source, acknowledged the role of waste pickers, financed the purchase of motorized vehicles and established a storage network for recyclable materials. Currently over 8,000 waste pickers are part of the ‘Bogotá Zero Waste’ Programme. There

are plans to replicate this model throughout the country (Rodic, 2015b). Cities in Ecuador and Colombia are also making efforts to promote separation at source, develop separate collections and improve workers’ conditions. Nairobi has created the largest market for recyclable waste in Africa – involving more than 100 private companies, microenterprizes and community associations. However, the social inclusion of informal recyclers remains an issue (Scheinberg, Wilson and Rodic-Wiersma, 2010). Harare (Zimbabwe) has also developed an important market for recyclable materials, which they receive from neighbouring countries such as Zambia (Scheinberg, Wilson and Rodic-Wiersma, 2010). Mexico and South Africa use significant amounts of recycled paper and cardboard (Modak, Wilson and Velis, 2015f). Management of E-waste The increasing use of electronic devices such as computers, monitors, printers, mobile phones, refrigerators, microwave ovens, batteries and other devices, and the frequency with which people

Recycling truck with cardboard, Mexico City. Photo © iStock/JHMimagine

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