Govt launches US$37.85m project to tackle pollution, improve waste management

The government has launched a US$37.85 million initiative to strengthen pollution control and modernise waste management in Vientiane, aiming for cleaner and more sustainable urban development.
The Laos Pollution and Waste Management Project was officially launched by the Department of Housing and Urban Planning under the Ministry of Public Works and Transport, in partnership with the Vientiane City Office for Management and Service, the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, and the World Bank.
The six-year project aims to upgrade pollution management nationwide, especially overhauling municipal solid waste services in Vientiane, which will serve as a model for replication in other cities.
Rapid urbanisation, inadequate infrastructure and weak disposal systems have intensified environmental and public health pressures in recent years. The project is designed to address these gaps while supporting the government’s transition to a low-carbon and resilient growth pathway.
Key investments include the construction of two transfer stations, composting facilities, rehabilitation of the KM32 landfill, and provision of modern waste management equipment.
The initiative will also strengthen the policy and institutional framework for monitoring and enforcing air and water pollution control.
Deputy Minister of Public Works and Transport Mr Detsongkham Thammavong said the project would lay the foundation for long-term, technology-based waste management.
“The project will improve waste management in Vientiane, starting with efforts to enhance the financial sustainability of the waste management system, reduce operating costs, and expand the scope of waste collection services, as well as improving waste management infrastructure and providing composting machines for Vientiane,” he said.
“In addition, the project will improve the efficiency of waste collection by encouraging waste separation at source, adding value, and using organic waste to make products that can generate income and create jobs for the community and can be expanded to neighbouring communities.”
The project is expected to directly benefit around 70 percent of Vientiane’s population — approximately 645,000 people — up from 44 percent currently using regular collection services.
Mr Detsongkham expressed the hope that the initiative would become a model for strengthening waste and pollution management while paving the way for modern, technology-driven systems.
“I sincerely hope this endeavour will become a model project that will strengthen the management of waste and pollution, and also lay the foundation for waste management infrastructure and waste management improvements through the use of modern technology to improve monitoring, access to waste collection services, and increase the fiscal and financial self-sufficiency of waste management units so they are more efficient and effective.”
“All of this will make our cities more liveable in general, and specifically make Vientiane cleaner and more attractive.”
World Bank Vice President for External and Corporate Relations, Mr Jay Heimbach, said pollution and waste management are not only environmental concerns but also economic and public health priorities that affect every family.
A joint World Bank mission will follow to finalise the project’s work plan and budget.

By Advertorial Desk
(Latest Update February 24, 2026)