Solid waste management (SWM) is a global challenge that is strongly linked to climate change, urban sustainability, and public health. In particular, municipal solid waste management has become one of the most urgent development issues worldwide. In 2020, approximately 2.24 billion tonnes of municipal solid waste were generated globally, and this figure is projected to rise by 73% to 3.88 billion tonnes by 2050. With rapid urbanization and economic growth, waste generation is increasing sharply in many middle-income countries (MICs), while existing infrastructure, financial capacity, and institutional arrangements struggle to keep up to cater to this increased volume of waste. Effective waste management is essential not only for improving urban resilience, but also for creating jobs and supporting economic growth. Without comprehensive reforms, the transition toward a circular economy remains difficult.
To better understand the issue and support efforts in solid waste management in middle-income countries, the Tokyo Development Learning Center (TDLC) organized a Technical Deep Dive (TDD) on SWM for middle-income countries in Sofia, Bulgaria, from May 12 to 16, 2025. This TDD followed the first regional TDD held in 2024 in Abidjan, C?te d¡¯Ivoire, which focused on African countries. A total of 53 participants from 9 countries- Armenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Colombia, India, Indonesia, Morocco, Tajikistan, Tunisia, and Uzbekistan- joined this learning program. Given the high priority placed on this issue, TDLC has delivered a total of six TDDs on the issue of waste and circularity.
TDD Participants identified common challenges, including insufficient infrastructure, funding gaps, weak institutional and governance frameworks, limited public awareness, and a lack of implementation capacity. To address these issues, the partcipants engaged in sessions led by experts as well as peer-to-peer exchanges focused on policy design, technical solutions, financial mechanisms, and public-private partnerships (PPPs) application in the sector.
Key Takeaways from Japan and Bulgaria
Japan¡¯s experience was showcased through examples such as the inter-municipal cooperation on Waste-to-Energy (WtE) facility management led by Kakogawa City involving 3 other neighboring municipalities. This PPP initiative highlighted how inter-municipal governance, shared cost structures, environmental considerations, and multi-stakeholders' engagement can enhance project effectiveness. These lessons proved highly relevant to countries exploring PPP-based infrastructure development. In addition, representatives from the Ministry of Environment and the Institute for Global Environmental Strategies (IGES) presented the evolution of Japan¡¯s circular economy and waste management policies. The lessons from Japan were complemented by learning about SWM methods in Bulgaria - Participants also visited SWM facilities in Sofia, including mechanical-biological treatment plants, composting facilities, PPP-operated landfills, and recycling facilities. They learned about the city¡¯s waste information management systems and how data is used to improve operational efficiency.
Key Takeaways from the TDD
Through the program, participants reaffirmed that building sustainable SWM systems in MICs requires a multifaceted and phased approach. Foundational elements include infrastructure development, regulatory reform, and stable financial mechanisms. At the same time, awareness-raising and education to promote citizen participation and behavioral change are essential. Discussions also highlighted the importance of integrating informal waste workers, implementing policies such as Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), scaling up projects through PPPs, and promoting inter-municipal collaboration- each adapted to the institutional and technical maturity of participating countries.
The TDD concluded with each country formulating action plans. For example, Armenia plans to develop regional sanitary landfills starting in 2026; Morocco aims to reform its legal framework to strengthen its waste value chain; and India is preparing to install facilities such as Bio-CNG (bio-compressed natural gas) plants for organic waste and RDF (Refuse-Derived Fuel) plants for non-recyclable combustible waste. Shared priorities across countries include infrastructure investment, financing, capacity building, citizen engagement, and the establishment of EPR frameworks. Participants also recognized that achieving sustainable SWM requires not only technological solutions but also institutional reform, financial sustainability, and active public involvement.
Participant Voices
¡°We observed Japan¡¯s achievements and success stories, as well as the efforts of Sofia Municipality in Bulgaria. A key takeaway is the presence of a structured framework based on the important role of local governments, implemented through inter-city collaboration rather than by individual municipalities alone.¡±
Samira ABIDI, President of the High Council for Strategic Planning and Support for Decentralization, Tunisia
¡°We learned from Japan and Bulgaria that we have to start to look at waste as a resource and that every resource has some value.¡±
Mia POJSKI?, CEO, Regional Landfill Mo??anica, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Please view the photos .