title: Serving the unserved: informal refuse collection in Mexico.
abstract: The incomplete collection of municipal solid waste is a significant problem in the cities of many developing countries. Mexican cities collect less than 75% of the waste generated. The uncollected waste generates pollution and poses risks to human health and the environment. Low-income communities comprise most areas that lack refuse collection. In many of the areas where there is no official collection service, informal collectors provide this service for a fee. This paper analyses informal refuse collection in three Mexican cities, and argues that it can supplement municipal collection, create jobs, benefit the economy and help clean up the urban environment.
authors.affiliation: martin.medina-martinez.grd.genr@aya.yale.edu
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Medina
mesh_terms: D002947:Cities; D004651:Employment; D004787:Environmental Pollution / Q000191:economics* / Q000517:prevention & control; D005249:Fees and Charges; D006801:Humans; D008800:Mexico; D011203:Poverty; D012037:Refuse Disposal / Q000191:economics*