Welcome to the first Community of Practice challenge! This is your opportunity to contribute your expertise, share innovative ideas, and collaborate with global SWM professionals to address one of the most important issues in solid waste management: improving collection coverage.

The Challenge

• Propose a solution: Develop a strategy or approach to improve waste collection coverage in urban or rural areas. Consider aspects such as logistics, community engagement, infrastructure, policy frameworks, or economic instruments.
• Share your solution: If you’ve been part of a project or initiative that successfully improved collection coverage in an urban or rural setting, share your experience. Include details about the challenges faced, the solution implemented, and the results achieved.

Key Criteria

When writing your response, consider the following.

1. Leakage reduction: How much waste leakage has been/could be reduced because of the intervention?
2. Replicability: Can your solution be applied in other regions or contexts?
3. Financial sustainability: Is the solution cost-effective for the community or
4. Sustainability: How does it promote long-term success, environmentally, socially, and economically?
5. Innovation: Does it incorporate new or creative methods, technologies, or practices?

How to Participate

Step 1: Check the submission guidelines below.

Step 2: Use this forum thread to brainstorm, discuss, and collaborate with peers. Feel free to ask questions, share ideas, or seek feedback on your ideas.

Step 3: Submit your final solution directly in this thread or via email as outlined in the submission guidelines below.

Challenge Timeline

Start Date: 14^th April 2025

Submission Deadline: 12^th May 2025

Discussion Period: Ongoing

Recognition and Next Steps

Top contributors will be featured in the forum and community updates, and their solutions may be highlighted as case studies or best practices on the WFD platform. This is a great opportunity to showcase your work and connect with other SWM experts worldwide.

Submission guidelines

1. Begin with a title summarizing your solution.
2. Provide a concise introduction explaining the problem your solution addresses and the context (urban or rural), and the project objectives.
3. Detail your proposed solution or shared experience, including specific actions, tools, or strategies used.
4. Conclude with a summary of expected outcomes or results and how the solution aligns with the challenge criteria, including leakage reduction, replicability, financial sustainability, and innovation.

Get Started

Use this thread to post your initial thoughts, ask questions, or discuss your approach to identify impactful solutions for improving collection coverage in both urban and rural areas.