Purpose - This purpose of this paper is concerned with the issue of designing and operating a sustainable waste management system, in rapidly growing urban areas. Some existing models for waste management and the extent to which they could be applied in a specific environment - Cairo for example - are discussed. An integrated framework which can serve as a basis for the development of a sustainable waste management system is proposed. Sustainability of the system, opportunities and challenges, material re-use and recycling, composting, incineration and energy production and land-filling are examined. Relevant waste management and cost sub-models inherent to the system are discussed. In addition, some other environmental and social aspects are also debated. The main focus of this paper is to provide some insights into the design of a more effective and integrated sustainable waste management system applicable for developing economies. Design/methodology/approach - An in-depth analysis is carried out for the existing models and approaches for waste management. This has led to the development of a framework which can be implemented. Findings - A comprehensive conceptual framework for a waste management system is developed. The major inputs and expected outputs are clearly identified. Originality/value - A comprehensive and complete system for waste management is proposed. This system can be operationalized and implemented with a view of sustainability

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Major cities in transitional and developing countries are facing the ever-growing challenge of managing solid waste in a sustainable manner. While a variety of treatments exist for solid waste, cities are in need of a sustainable integrated municipal solid waste management (MSWM) system. Such a system is meant to assist them in selecting and investing in an appropriate combination of treatments for the waste they generate, depending on the composition and quantity of this waste. This study presents a systems analysis of the MSWM in Cairo. A constrained non-linear mathematical model is developed to represent an underlying model of a MSWM system, with six waste material flows (cardboard and paper, plastics, metals, glass, organic material, and others). The developed model depicts combinations of five treatment alternatives (composting, anaerobic digestion, mechanical biological treatment, incineration, and landfilling). The treatment methods and their capacity are determined by the model, indicating possible optimal design solutions and recommendations. Starting with an evaluation of the status quo of the MSWM system in Cairo, the paper proposes a staged strategy, involving investigating improvements to the current mixed-waste management system, then exploring the possibility of introducing at-source waste sorting. The environmental and economic implications of different scenarios are analyzed and compared. A material flow analysis, including input data uncertainties, is also conducted by applying substance flow analysis. This analysis shows the difference between the status quo and the proposed improved solutions for diverting waste from landfills and, thus, decreasing carbon dioxide emissions.