The amount of solid waste generated in Mongolia has significantly increased from 0.3 to 3.3 million tons per year between 2008 and 2019 due to changing urban lifestyles and consumption patterns. Even though more than half of the waste is recyclable, only 7% is reused or exported. Solid waste management in the country is challenged by poor technologies, infrastructure, equipment, and lack of strategic planning for sustainable waste management.

To address these challenges, ADB is supporting the local governments in their efforts to introduce effective municipal solid waste management and recycling schemes. With a $2 million grant from Japan Fund for Prosperous and Resilient Asia and the Pacific, the Managing Solid Waste in Secondary Cities project is opening new income generating activity and employment opportunities through waste reuse and recycling pilots and skills and business development.