TY - JOUR AB - Purpose– This article aims to draw insight from a variety of management disciplines to encourage a broader view of the economy as it relates to sustainable waste management (SWM) development. Design/methodology/approach– The paper presents a framework to describe how strengths can be blended to support environmental sustainability (ES), highlighting the need for community cooperation between the informal and formal sectors of the economy. Findings– Unique contributions for SWM can emerge from both economic sectors and, when leveraged, may drive community development within local municipalities. Practical implications– The platform addresses the need for more flexible governmental policies that encourage waste management activities among formal and informal workers. Originality/value– The paper brings forward typically disregarded ES waste management opportunities that reside within the informal sector, an often overlooked aspect of the broader economy. VL - 37 IS - 3 SN - 2040-8269 DO - 10.1108/MRR-11-2012-0254 UR - https://doi.org/10.1108/MRR-11-2012-0254 AU - E. Sekerka Leslie AU - Stimel Derek PY - 2014 Y1 - 2014/01/01 TI - Embracing waste as a resource: insights from the informal sector T2 - Management Research Review PB - Emerald Group Publishing Limited SP - 241 EP - 260 Y2 - 2024/03/28 ER -