Clean Cities, Blue Ocean Sri Lanka Fact Sheet

As a densely populated island nation of 21.67 million (2018), Sri Lanka faces unique challenges in managing its solid waste. Waste management systems in the country have struggled to keep pace as urban populations have grown and system funding, organization, while local government resources have remained static. Across the country,…

As a densely populated island nation of 21.67 million (2018), Sri Lanka faces unique challenges in managing its solid waste. Waste management systems in the country have struggled to keep pace as urban populations have grown and system funding, organization, while local government resources have remained static. Across the country, it is estimated that only 20% of households have access to public waste collection services, while 47% burn their waste, 23% dispose of it in their communities or natural environments, and about 8% practice backyard composting for organic waste. USAID’s Clean Cities, Blue Ocean (CCBO) program is piloting solutions to build coordinated waste management systems with increased local government capacity.