Non-conventional refuse collection : micro-enterprises : a promising approach for improved service delivery

As part of SANDEC's research project on alternative solutions for refuse collection in low-income urban areas in developing countries, the involvement of micro-enterprises is seen as a promising approach for improving service coverage. This article describes the main observations and some preliminary findings of a first evaluation visit to the following towns in Latin America: Lima (Peru), La Paz (Bolivia), Ecuador (Cajamarca), and Cucuta (Colombia). Most micro-enterprises were cooperatives contracted by the municipality. The main recommendations of the evaluation were: the duties of the micro-enterprises should be limited to primary refuse collection; an advisory group of regional consultants should manage the entire implementation process; the organization structure of the enterprise should be as simple as possible; an exact cost assessment is required; the contract with the municipality should include all relevant aspects of service delivery; and beneficiaries should be involved.