An Alternative Innovative Model for Financing Solid Waste Management in Local Authorities: A Literature Review

Abstract

This literature review investigates the development of an alternative innovative model for financing Solid Waste Management (SWM), which is a growing concern in Lusaka City due to inefficiencies in council operations and inadequate traditional financing mechanisms. Historically, SWM has been underfunded, with limited resources allocated compared to sectors like roads, education and water. Funding typically comes from local sources such as taxes, fees, permits and national support like the Local Government Equalization Fund (LGEF), grants and Constituency Development Funds (CDF), all of which have proven insufficient. The objective of this review is to evaluate existing literature to guide the creation of a sustainable financing framework. Studies from Africa, Asia, Europe and the Americas were reviewed, highlighting alternative models such as public-private partnerships (PPP), adoption of new technologies, long-term low-interest loans and diversified investment strategies. The review is grounded in the PPP model for financing, the Behavioral Change Model for community engagement and Stakeholder Theory for inclusive planning. This study’s literature review employed the PRISMA framework to ensure transparency and rigor. A systematic search using keywords like “solid waste management,” “sustainable financing,” and “urban Zambia” was conducted via Google Scholar to source peer-reviewed articles, reports, and grey literature relevant to Lusaka’s context. The review focused on English-language studies from 2020–2025 addressing innovative financing, community participation, or policy in low- and middle-income urban areas, especially in sub-Saharan Africa. Out of 186 initial sources, 40 were selected after screening for relevance and quality. The final selection highlighted key research gaps, including limited focus on informal settlements and PPP-related studies. The findings emphasize the need for multi-faceted, inclusive financing strategies. Identified gaps include limited community involvement and weak institutional capacity, pointing to the need for more adaptive, stakeholder-driven financial models in SWM.