Management of Municipal Solid Waste: A Comparative Analysis between Togo and Brazil

Omar Ouro-Salim; Heidy Rodriguez Ramos

doi:10.53941/gssd.2026.100018

Abstract

Given the increasing generation of municipal solid waste (MSW) in developing countries, this study compares MSW management systems in Brasília (Brazil) and Lomé (Togo), focusing on institutional structures, collection systems, regulations, and operational challenges. Although several studies discuss the environmental impacts of waste, there remains a significant research gap regarding the comparative role of municipal authorities and governance structures in waste management systems across developing countries. This study adopts a qualitative comparative case study approach, based on document analysis of 37 institutional, legal, and scientific sources published between 2010 and 2025. The findings reveal major disparities between the two cities. In Brazil, the municipal recycling rate reached 4.5% in 2025, while Brasília recorded operational improvements of 5.6% in waste collection, 4.3% in street-cleaning services, and 43.3% in reverse logistics. In contrast, in Lomé, annual waste generation exceeds 350,000 tons, while less than 35% is properly collected, and approximately 83.5% remains inadequately managed nationwide. Informal waste pickers account for nearly 55% of collection operators in Lomé, underscoring the reliance on informal systems. The study demonstrates that Brasília benefits from more advanced regulatory frameworks and institutional coordination. In contrast, Lomé faces severe limitations in infrastructure, financing, informality, and the lack of specific waste management legislation. The study concludes that strengthening governance mechanisms, integrating informal workers, investing in technological innovation, and promoting circular economy policies are essential for improving waste management systems in developing countries. Future studies should prioritize empirical investigations involving residents, waste pickers, and municipal authorities better to understand behavioral and institutional barriers to sustainable waste management.

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