Clean and Inclusive Cities in Argentina

This document reviews the existing information on solid waste management and city cleanliness to understand how the country’s municipalities are responding to this important challenge and how these services are supporting the growing urban agglomerations in the country. The review provides data by urban agglomeration but also includes data at the provincial and national level. It considers not only the service coverage and infrastructure but the role they play in a range of issues including the proximity of waste to people’s homes, inequality of access to services, and the impact on municipal budgets. Informality, both in terms of informal employment in the waste sector and the ability of municipal services to reach informal and precarious urban settlements, is also considered. The review is intended as a compilation of data for use by local and national governments, international organizations, academics and non-governmental organizations in their ongoing efforts to improve cities. The data presented highlights the current service gaps and opportunities that can be explored to avoid the costs of congestion in order maximize Argentina’s cities’ role as an engine for inclusive growth.