Laws and Regulations

Ministries and Coordination Mechanism

Lao PDR initially established the Science, Technology, and Environment Organization (STENO) following the 1992 Rio Earth Summit to manage solid waste in national level. Over time, STENO underwent restructuring and was integrated into the Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST). However, in March 2021, the Lao government dissolved MOST, redistributing its departments among various ministries (Laotian Times, 2021). Responsibilities for solid waste management were assigned to two key ministries: the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MoNRE) and the Ministry of Public Works and Transport (MPWT)  (World Bank, 2021).

Although with less authority over solid waste issues than MPWT, MoNRE has become a bridge for international in the solid waste sector in the country (Global Green Growth Institute, 2018). Other ministries that manage solid waste are the Ministry of Public Health, for medical waste management; the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, for regulations on composting from the agricultural sector; the Ministry of Communications, Transport, Posts, and Construction (MCTPC); and the Ministry of Energy and Mines, which does not have specific role in solid waste management at present but is expected to play a vital role in transforming waste into energy (Global Green Growth Institute, 2018; Khanal & Souksavath, n.d.).

At the provincial and district levels, the responsibility for solid waste management in Lao PDR is shared between local authorities. In Vientiane Capital, the Vientiane City Office for Management and Service (VCOMS) oversees waste management efforts, while in other provinces, the Urban Development and Administration Authorities (UDAAs) perform similar roles. These authorities collaborate closely with assigned private waste management companies to collect and dispose of solid waste from households. The arrangement typically involves outsourcing waste collection services, with private companies not only handling household waste but also, in some cases, managing landfills and other waste-related infrastructure. This public-private collaboration aims to enhance waste management coverage, promote better waste segregation practices, and support recycling initiatives (Global Green Growth Institute, 2021). Moreover, at the village level, Village Natural Resources and Environmental Units are in charge of following district-level guidance, educating and raising public awareness, monitoring local compliance, managing household environmental certifications, addressing local environmental concerns, and fostering clean, green, and sustainable village communities (Environmental Protection Law, 2013).