The purpose of this document is to assist solid waste managers and key decision-makers in municipalities of low- and middle-income countries to decide whether to involve the private sector in solid waste services and, if so, how this should be done. The information in this book is not just theory; it is based on a wide range of case studies and extensive international experience.This Pack consists of five separate booklets: i) an Executive Overview, introducing the Pack, and directing the reader to more detailed discussions in the subsequent parts; ii) the main part, the Guidance Note, which contains the arguments for private sector participation, reviews the options, ex-plains the issues that must be considered, and suggests the steps leading to implementation of its recommendations. There are frequent references to experiences and lessons learned in Africa, Asia, and America; iii) the Tools - criteria, checklists, sample terms of reference and questionnaire forms, iv) a comprehensive Word List, and v) a CD with sample contracts and agreements for both collection and disposal operations, and other tools.

The private sector involvement in public service is intended to achieve efficiency gain and better service quality through increasing private sector finance and expertise. However, these benefits are most often not achieved in developing countries due to investment risk of private finance, and problems of capacity and regulation of the private sect