National Strategy for Solid Waste Management in the Palestinian Territory 2010 - 2014.

This National Strategy for Solid Waste Management (NSSWM) is a 5-year nationwide sectoral document aiming at setting the development path for the Palestinian SWM sector. To achieve the goal, the Strategy objectives are (i) address key strategic issues; (ii) develop the legislative, organizational, technical and economical foundations needed to achieve an efficient and effective SWM system; (iii) reduce the negative health and environmental impacts of SW in response to priority issues and mid-term needs. The final objective is to reach the Vision of an “Integrated and sustainable management of solid waste that contributes to achieving economical and social benefits to the Palestinian people”. The document sets out 8 strategic objectives (i) an effective legal and organizational framework for SWM; (ii) strong and capable institutions; (iii) effective and environmentally-safe management of SW services; (iv) financially viable and efficient SWM services and activities; (v) principles and mechanisms suitable for managing medical, hazardous, and special wastes; (vi) increasing the participation of the private sector; (vii) a more participating and aware community; and (viii) effective information and monitoring systems.
To increase the resilience of livelihoods to disasters, the SWM needs to be developed through (i) a legislative framework that provides the legal basis for integrated SWM system, including community, private, non-governmental sectors participation, 'polluter pays' and 'producer pays' principles, interaction among all levels of planning (national, regional, local); (ii) promotion of better service with wider coverage through the selection of technical and organizational solution in collection and transport services; (iii) safe disposal through the construction of four sanitary landfills; (iv) waste reduction systems; (v) minimization of the environmental impact resulting from GHG emitted as a result of SW activities; (vi) appropriate inventory and tracking systems for hazardous waste (in particular medical and special waste); and (vii) an alliance between service providers and served communities.
As for Governance, the document envisages to (i) define optimal institutional arrangements for SWM, ensuring the clarity of roles and responsibilities, enforcing relationship between the institutions, and eliminating duplicities of roles; (ii) enhance transparency and reduce depletion of resources and scattering of roles; and (iii) create effective information and monitoring system.