Business models for recovering resources from waste

Research ThemeRural-Urban Linkages

Rapid urbanization and population growth are putting tremendous strain on the environment, depleted agricultural land, and public sanitation services. Given the rich energy, water, and nutrient resources available in municipal waste, there are significant opportunities for resource recovery and reuse (RRR) across the food, waste and sanitation sectors.

Resource Recovery from Waste: Business Models for Energy, Nutrient and Water Reuse in Low- and Middle-Income Countries outlines viable RRR business models that could help pave the way for a circular economy, reduced pollution, and more sustainable food and energy production. These models are based on over 45 empirical case studies and explain the value proposition and value chain of the business, the institutional set up and risks in terms of viability and safety. Brief profiles of these individual models are also available for download.

Please see the related Op-Ed by WLE/IWMI Directors, How to Make Wealth from Waste on a Crowded Planet, and the Press Release: Is Waste the Next Big Business Opportunity?

Contacts

Pay Drechsel
Pay Drechsel is Strategic Program Leader of the International Water Management Institute for Rural-Urban Linkages, and co-leads WLE's research theme on Sustaining Rural-Urban Linkages.
Miriam Otoo
Miriam Otoo is an agricultural economist who served with the International Water Management Institute (IWMI) until November 2019, specializing in issues related to economics of waste reuse, business development and entrepreneurship, agricultural markets and productivity in developing countries, under the CGIAR-WLE program.