6,900 tonnes/day
Household waste nationwide
Vientiane Capital accounts for about 15% of the total.6
Project P510198 · Lao PDR · 2025–2031
Lao PDR Pollution and Waste Management Project
Strengthening the management of waste, plastics and pollution, and upgrading municipal solid waste services in Vientiane Capital as a model for other Lao cities.1
Financed byWorld Bank
Implemented byMinistry of Public Works and Transport
Environment Protection Fund
Photo: Benh LIEU SONG · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons · cropped
Explore
Swipe for moreWhy this project is needed
Rapid urbanisation, inadequate infrastructure and weak disposal systems have intensified environmental and public health pressures in recent years.4
< 50%
Access to collection services
Still below half nationwide; large volumes end up at unauthorised dumping sites.65
2×
Household waste has doubled
Over the past 20 years — and much of it is not properly disposed of.7
≈ ¼
Is plastic
Almost a quarter of the waste found in Lao cities is plastic.7
95%
Comes from ten items
Of plastic pollution in six Lao cities comes from just ten single-use items.7
≈ 10,000
Deaths a year
Linked to environmental health factors; almost half to air pollution, to which burning plastic and household waste is a major contributor.7
14.6%
Of GDP a year
Health cost of air and water pollution, poor sanitation and lead exposure (2017 estimate).1
⚠
Informal waste workers
Work without protection, face constant risk of injury and fall outside social protection.8
Regular waste collection in Vientiane Capital
Share of residents with regular collection services
How the project came about
13 June 2025
30 September 20312
Today
22% of the project period has elapsed · Shows time, not progress of work
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The “Get CLEAN and GREEN” report
A World Bank study shows plastic waste affecting fish catches, blocking drains, causing air pollution and harming tourism destinations.7
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The “Unseen Green Jobs” study
Studies informal waste workers in Vientiane and recommends training, protective equipment and access to welfare.8
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Work plan and budget
A joint World Bank mission follows to finalise the project’s work plan and budget.4
-
Planned closing date
End of the six-year implementation period.2
More than collecting rubbish
National Green Growth Strategy to 2030
Part of a resilient, inclusive and sustainable growth strategy that boosts jobs and incomes, reduces poverty and lowers the cost of growth to health and nature.3
National Plastics Action Plan
Backs the reduction of single-use plastics and more recycling; part of the Southeast Asia Regional Program on Combating Marine Plastics, a joint initiative with ASEAN.1
Protecting the Mekong
Helps reduce the amount of waste that flows down the Mekong River to the ocean.1
Vientiane as a model
The capital is the country’s largest waste generator; what works here will be a model for other cities across Laos.1
In their words
“This project will help the government address these issues and will also contribute to efforts to reduce the amount of waste that flows down the Mekong River to the ocean.”
The project will lay the foundation for long-term, technology-based waste management and become a model for strengthening waste and pollution management.
Pollution and waste management are not only environmental concerns but also economic and public health priorities that affect every family.
What the project invests in
Monitoring & enforcement
Stronger monitoring and enforcement of pollution control.3
- A monitoring system to help the government enforce pollution control regulations
- More accurate, reliable air and water quality monitoring stations
- A stronger legal framework for waste management
Collection & transfer
Wider, modern waste collection, centred on Vientiane Capital.45
- Modern waste collection and management equipment
- Two waste transfer stations
- Waste separation at the source
Treatment & disposal
Treatment facilities and a standard landfill.45
- Composting facilities and machines
- Rehabilitation of the KM32 landfill
- Standardised landfill infrastructure
Waste workers
Recognition and better conditions for people providing a vital public service.3
- Vocational training
- Occupational health and safety training
- Protective equipment
Sustainability & emergencies
Financially sound systems, ready for emergencies.5
- Better financial sustainability of waste systems
- Lower operating costs
- Stronger response to environmental emergencies
Who benefits
645,000 residents
About 70% of Vientiane’s population gain systematic, reliable and efficient waste collection.45
264 waste pickers
At the Vientiane landfill gain better working conditions, training and employment opportunities.1
Health & environment
Better waste management protects the health of people and the environment.3
Jobs & the economy
Helps create jobs and improve the economy.3
Material recovery
Maximising material recovery along with financial and operational efficiency.1
A cleaner Mekong
Less waste and plastic flowing into the river and the sea.1
Financing and implementation
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IDA credit · US$34.50M (91.1%) International Development Association — low-interest credit
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PROBLUE grant · US$3.35M (8.9%) A multi-donor trust fund that helps countries adopt a blue economy
See the story
3:51
9:22
Waste-to-Resources Initiatives in Vientiane
A GGGI video on community waste separation — background, not an activity of this project.10
The MIS
The project’s management information system
A digital tool for the project management unit and its partners to plan, monitor, evaluate and report — for authorised users only.
- Work plan & Gantt
- Progress & indicators
- Procurement & contracts
- Documents
- Risks
- Reports & analysis
- Mobile & offline
- Lao – English
Project office
© OpenStreetMap contributors
Sources and references
Every figure and statement on this page comes from the public sources below. Tap a [n] marker to see its source.
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Photographs
Illustrative photographs of Vientiane, not project sites.
- Pha That Luang, Vientiane, at sunrise — Photo: Benh LIEU SONG · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons · cropped
- Avenue Lane Xang and Patuxai — Photo: Stefan Fussan · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons
- The Mekong at Vientiane — Photo: Christophe95 · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
- Mekong Riverfront, Vientiane — Photo: Stefan Fussan · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons
- A rubbish bin made from old tyres, Thakhek — Photo: Chaoborus · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons
- Project office — © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL)
This page shows only information that has already been published. Internal operational data is available only in the MIS, to authorised users. Last checked against sources on 9 October 2026