A.4 Although the waste generation rates in developing countries are substantially lower than those in industrialized countries, these rates are not proportionally lower relative to income. In fact, these rates are roughly 30 percent to 50 percent as high as those in industrialized countries, while income levels are 2 percent to 10 percent as high, as indicated below.

Waste generation rates and income

A.5 Solid waste service consumes a higher share of income in developing countries than in industrialized countries. Although labor costs are lower in developing countries, the purchase price of equipment is typically higher, and fuel costs are greater. Because most residents do not discharge their wastes in easy-to-unload containers at convenient curbside locations, more effort is required to perform collection. Because of inadequate public education and political-cultural obstacles to the enforcement of anti-litter and clandestine dumping laws, more effort is also required to perform public cleansing.