Sustainable Waste Management

Outcome

% of solid waste managed according to the sustainable solid waste management plan in place

This indicator measures the extent to which solid waste generated by project activities is managed in line with agreed waste handling practices, with the aim of reducing environmental and public health risks. It focuses on whether waste is managed appropriately, rather than on precise quantification of waste volumes.

Determine the indicator value using the following methodology:

 

1) Define the scope of waste covered: Identify the main sources of waste this indicator covers. According to ECHO’s guidance, these should be waste from “facilities directly managed or supported by the partner” (e.g. offices, warehouses, (re)construction sites, health facilities, community centers, camps, distribution points).

 

2) Define what “managed according to the sustainable solid waste management plan” means: Identify which sustainable waste management arrangements are already in place. These may be described in SOPs, activity plans, or logistics procedures and may not take the form of a stand-alone plan. If such arrangements do not yet exist (or are not written), agree on, define, and document a basic set of minimum sustainable waste management arrangements, tools, means, and processes that are feasible for the project.

 

3) Estimate total waste generated by facility type: When waste is generated across multiple facilities, it may not be feasible to measure waste separately for every individual facility. Group facilities by type (e.g., offices, warehouses, health facilities, (re)construction sites, etc.) and estimate the total amount of waste generated for each facility type over the reporting period. It is crucial that you keep using one consistent unit across all facility types for the calculation, such as kg (preferred where feasible) or number of standard bags (e.g., 60 L bag). If using bags/bins, specify the standard size and use it consistently.

Exact measurements are not required; however, estimates should be based on the best available evidence (observations, records, and/or sample measurements), not on general assumptions alone. Choose one of the following approaches and apply it consistently within each facility type:

   - Container-based estimates: Use the number and size of bins or bags collected, multiplied by an observed or typical fill level (based on spot checks or routine collection patterns).

   - Short-period sampling and extrapolation: Measure or observe waste generated over a short, representative period (e.g., one day or one week) at one or more sites, and extrapolate to the reporting period.

- Evidence-informed approximation: Use staff observations, collection frequency, procurement records (e.g., packaging weight from product specifications), or information from waste collectors to estimate total waste generated.

Briefly document what the estimate is based on (e.g., spot checks, collection frequency, staff interviews, sampling period) and any key assumptions.

4) Estimate the proportion of waste sustainably managed by facility type: For each facility type, use simple evidence such as observations, staff interviews, short-period sampling, or waste collector arrangements to estimate what proportion of the waste is managed according to the agreed sustainable practices over the reporting period (e.g., 25% / 50% / 75%).

5) For each facility type, calculate the amount of sustainably managed waste:

- First, take the total amount of waste generated for each facility type (e.g., total waste generated by warehouses) over the reporting period.

- Then, multiply it by the estimated proportion that is managed according to the agreed sustainable practices (e.g., 400kg × 50% = 200kg).

6) Calculate the indicator value:

- Sum the total waste generated across all facility types (Step 3).

- Sum the sustainably managed waste across all facility types (Step 5).

- Divide the total amount of sustainably managed waste across all facility types by the total waste generated across all facility types.

- Multiply the result by 100 to convert it to a percentage.

The data can be disaggregated by the type of facilities producing waste and other criteria relevant to the context of your intervention.

1) Keep it manageable: This indicator is not intended to require detailed waste audits or precise weighing of all waste generated. Credible, well-documented, evidence-informed estimates are acceptable and preferable to not using the indicator because it might appear “too difficult”.

 

2) Don’t average the “% managed” across facility types because facility types do not generate the same amount of waste. Averaging would give the same weight to, for example, an office and a warehouse - even though a warehouse typically produces much more waste - so the result can be seriously misleading.

3) Use one consistent unit across facility types (e.g., kg, or a defined “standard bag/bin” size). Do not mix units unless you convert them.

4) A plan can be simple: If no waste management plan exists, agree on and document a basic set of minimum sustainable waste handling practices that are feasible for the project. For example: designate who is responsible for waste management at each facility; define how waste will be collected and stored safely; agree on basic segregation where feasible; define the disposal route and responsibilities; and keep simple evidence such as collection schedules.

 

5) Group sites when needed: Where waste is generated across multiple facilities, group them and apply one estimation approach per group to keep data collection feasible. Use the same measurement unit across groups.

 

6) Focus on practices and progress: The indicator measures whether waste is managed in line with the defined practices (Step 2) and can be used to track improvement over time, even if starting from basic arrangements.

 

7) Be transparent: Briefly document the estimation approach, what the estimates are based on (e.g., spot checks, collection frequency, sampling), and any key limitations / assumptions.

 

8) Consider all relevant waste types (organic and non-organic) generated within scope.

9) This indicator is used by DG ECHO as one of its Key Outcome Indicators.