Clean Oceans through Clean Communities (CLOCC) has developed and refined a unique approach to co-designing and delivering integrated sustainable waste management systems.

Our approach

By following seven steps, CLOCC supports countries, districts and communities to manage their own waste in a locally appropriate, scalable, low-risk, and affordable way. Crucially, it is local people who own the system by making the decisions and designing the system to meet their needs and preferences.

A key tool to improve waste management is to develop strong ownership of the local waste management plans. Local authorities may plan targets, timelines for investments and define how the responsibilities will be carried out and financed for years ahead. A robust waste management plan is adapted to local conditions including geography, demographics, economic structure, responsibilities and management of municipal solid waste. We believe that there is no “one size fits all” in waste management. CLOCC uses a 7-steps ISWM approach for waste management planning and stakeholder engagement process. In this approach, the stakeholders - users and local institutions - make the decisions and choose the system that meets their needs and preferences.

CLOCC has developed robust and resilient waste management systems in India and Indonesia, strengthening recycling value chains, increasing plastic recycling, and preventing pollution from waste. The CLOCC approach enables 100% waste collection and encourages continual improvement, with communities taking control of the waste challenge for themselves. The CLOCC model is designed to be expanded and replicated to increase impact.

Creating a waste management plan is divided into a 7-step process

01

Organize the process

03

Create planning factors

05

Draft and validate the ISWM plan

07

Monitor the plan

02

Find the baseline

04

Construct and model different scenarios

06

Plan the implementation

We have developed robust and resilient waste management systems in India and Indonesia, strengthening recycling value chains, increasing plastic recycling, and preventing pollution from waste. Our approach enables 100% waste collection and encourages continual improvement, with communities taking control of the waste challenge for themselves. The CLOCC model is designed to be expanded and replicated to increase impact

Waste management is a tool for sustainable development

The Clean Oceans through Clean Communities (CLOCC) approach combines local action with regional policy engagement to achieve zero waste pollution across air, land, and sea. By integrating bottom-up community-driven solutions with regional and national-level policy support, CLOCC ensures systemic, scalable, and lasting impact.

Integrated waste management systems – Strengthening waste collection, processing, and financing models through coordinated efforts between communities and regional policymakers to create sustainable, scalable solutions.

Community-driven action with institutional backing – Empowering local stakeholders to take ownership of their waste systems while engaging regional policymakers to align local initiatives with broader waste management strategies.

Informed and responsible consumption – Raising awareness and driving behavioral change to reduce waste generation, lower costs, and prevent pollution at scale.

Healthier environments through policy and practice – Ending the practice of open dumping and burning by combining local enforcement with regional policy frameworks that promote safe, regulated waste management.

Sustainable livelihoods and economic growth – Strengthening the circular economy by ensuring that waste recovery efforts create dignified jobs while integrating with regional markets and value chains.

Climate-positive solutions at scale – Reducing greenhouse gas and black carbon emissions by implementing localized waste treatment solutions that are reinforced through supportive regional policies and funding mechanisms.

Plastic-free waterways through comprehensive waste collection – Ensuring 100% waste collection and adequate disposal in communities, while advocating for regional policies that support infrastructure and enforcement to keep plastics out of rivers and oceans.

Maximizing resource recovery through regional coordination – Selling recyclables back to industry and transforming organic waste into valuable products such as compost, animal feed, and renewable fuel, with support from policies that enhance market linkages and investment.

By bridging grassroots action with regional-level engagement, CLOCC builds a scalable and resilient waste management system, ensuring long-term impact for both communities and regional economies.