An Alternative Approach to Domestic Solid Waste Management in Cerro el Pino, Lima

In Cerro El Pino, a steep and overcrowded settlement in Lima, Peru, waste piled up daily with no municipal collection service. Residents, especially children and older people, suffered from health problems due to open dumping and pests. In response, the non-profit Ciudad Saludable launched an innovative waste management project in 2007, tailored to the area’s unique needs.
The project created a community-led waste collection system using motorbikes to reach narrow streets. It also established a local micro-enterprise that provides formal jobs for eight former informal waste collectors. Residents pay a small monthly fee $1.40 for the service, and many now separate their waste at home for recycling.
A local environmental committee was set up to oversee operations, manage payments, and run awareness campaigns in schools and neighbourhoods. By 2009, 80% of residents were using the service, and participation continues to grow. The community now collects about 10.5 tonnes of waste per day—80% of what’s generated—with 3.5 tonnes recycled monthly.
The project has reduced health issues, improved public spaces, and boosted incomes for traders. It also empowered residents to take part in decision-making, clean-up campaigns, and even art projects promoting unity and environmental care.
The model is financially sustainable, with costs largely covered by resident contributions. It has been replicated in other cities and countries using the same low-cost motorbike system and community management approach.
Ciudad Saludable shows how local leadership, smart tools, and education can transform a once-neglected area into a cleaner, safer, and more empowered community.