Selecting the most appropriate set of SWM technologies for a specific context is challenging and requires considerable experience. The key decision criteria offer the platform user general guidance on technology selection and the overall design of an SWM system. Each technology information sheet uses the decision criteria and structure described below. 

1. Response Phase

This section indicates the response phase for which the technologies are appropriate. Their suitability is characterised for the five phases (described in more detail in [Response Phases and Implication for SWM]): 

• Acute Response
• Stabilisation
• Recovery
• Protracted Crisis
• Development

An indication of whether a technology is suitable in the different phases is given using asterisks (two asterisks: suitable, one asterisk: less suitable, no asterisk: unsuitable). The level of appropriateness is decided on a comparative level between the different technologies, mainly based on applicability, speed of implementation and material requirements. Determining the applicable emergency phase for a context of interest is up to the Compendium user. 

2. Application Level 

The application level describes the different spatial levels for which the technology is most appropriate. It is subdivided into the following levels: 

• Individual/Household (applicable for one up to several individual households)
• Community/Municipality (applicable for serving several households, an entire settlement, camp or district)
• Institution (applicable for serving an entire institution, school, business or market
• Urban (applicable in densely populated areas)
• Rural (applicable in less populated areas)

An indication of whether a technology is suitable at a specific spatial level is made using asterisks (two asterisks: suitable, one asterisk: less suitable, no asterisk: unsuitable). Determining the appropriate application level for a context of interest is up to the compendium user. 

3. Management Level 

The management level describes where the main responsibility for operation and maintenance (O&M) for a specific technology lies: 

Household (all O&M-related tasks can be managed by the individual household) 
Shared (a group of users are responsible for O&M by ensuring that a person or a committee is in charge
on behalf of all users. Shared facilities refer to a self-defined group of users who decide who is allowed to use the facility and what their responsibilities are) 
Public (government, institutional or privately run facilities: all O&M is assumed by the entity operating the facility) 
An indication regarding the appropriateness of each management level is given using zero to two asterisks, with two asterisks meaning that the technology can be well handled at the respective level and zero not at all. 

4. Key Objective 

This section briefly indicates what the technology aims to deliver and its key feature(s) and function(s) such as ‘safe waste storage at household level’. It also provides a shortcut for the immediate evaluation and classification of technologies and their suitability for an envisioned application or context.

5. Prerequisites 

This section indicates the preconditions that need to be in place for the technology to be effective and applicable. It includes aspects such as the purity of the input materials (sufficiently sorted, cleaned with no composite or mixed materials), whether waste needs to be segregated first for the technology to function, the need for community participation or the user demand of the final products.

6. Space Required 

This section gives a qualitative estimate of the space required for each technology, meaning the area or spatial footprint required by the technology. This can help planning in areas where space is a limiting factor. Asterisks are used to indicate how much space is needed for the given technology (three asterisks: much space required, two asterisks: medium space required, and one asterisk: little space required). The categorisation is based on a comparative approach between the different technologies and not in absolute terms.

7. Technical Complexity

This section gives an overview of the technical and operational complexity of each technology, meaning the level of technical expertise needed to implement, operate and maintain the given technology. This can help planning where skills and capacities are limited or temporarily unavailable. Asterisks indicate the technical complexity of the given technology (three asterisks: high complexity, two asterisks: medium complexity, and one asterisk: low complexity). Low technical complexity means that no or minimal technical skills are required to implement, operate and maintain a technology: it can be done by non-professionals and artisans. Medium technical complexity means that certain skills are required either for implementation or O&M. Skilled artisans or engineers are required for the design and O&M of such a technology. High technical complexity means that an experienced expert, such as a trained engineer, is required to implement, operate and maintain a technology sustainably. The categorisation is based on a comparative approach between the different technologies and not in absolute terms.

8. Link to Other Actors 

This section indicates where cooperation and collaboration with other actors may be required. It may include links to the host communities, private sector actors, utilities, or the necessary coordination with other humanitarian sectors (such as camp coordination and camp management, shelter, or agriculture). 

9. Input Products 

Different technologies are required for the management of different inputs and the generation of specific outputs. Therefore, when selecting technologies, consider the input products that must be managed and the desired output products. This section lists the input products that typically flow into the given technology. 

10. Output Products 

This section lists the output products that typically flow out of the given technology. 

11. Design Considerations

Key design considerations are described in this section, including general sizing, space requirements and other features. This section does not cover the detailed design parameters that allow the complete implementation of a technology but gives an idea of the dimension features to consider and the main potential pitfalls to be aware of when designing and implementing the technology. This section helps the Compendium users understand a given technology’s technical design and complexity. 

12. Materials

This section lists the different materials and equipment required for the construction, operation and maintenance of a given technology. It indicates whether materials are likely to be locally available or producible (e.g. wood and bricks) or whether materials will need to be imported or require special manufacturing, which will considerably delay implementation during an emergency. The materials section also indicates whether a technology can be prefabricated as a unit to speed up implementation. 

13. Applicability

Applicability describes the contexts for which a technology is most appropriate. This section indicates a technology’s applicability in terms of type of setting, distinguishing between rural or urban, short or longer-term. The section also describes the phases of an emergency in which a technology can be implemented and provides information on the potential for replicability, scalability and the speed of implementation. 

14. Operation and Maintenance

Every technology requires O&M, more so if it is used over a prolonged period. The O&M implications of each technology must be considered during initial planning. Many technologies fail due to a lack of appropriate O&M. In this section, the main operation tasks that must be considered and the maintenance required to guarantee longer-term operation are listed. The section differentiates between different O&M skills and provides an indication of the frequency of O&M tasks and the time required to operate and maintain a technology. A list of potential misuses and pitfalls to be aware of is also provided. 

15. Health and Safety

Most SWM technologies have health and safety implications. The health implications or risks described in this section should be considered during planning to reduce health risks in the local community and among staff. The health and safety section also describes overall risk management procedures, which can lead to decisions to exclude a technology if safety cannot be guaranteed. Where relevant, the personal protective equipment needed to guarantee personal safety is listed. 

16. Costs

Each technology has costs associated with construction, operation, maintenance and management (including the cost implications for other technologies along the SWM chain). Costs are geographically dependent and cannot be described in absolute numbers. Hence, this section presents the main cost elements associated with a technology and a price range where possible, allowing for a first approximation. 

17. Social Considerations

Social considerations are important when deciding on specific SWM technologies, especially at the user level. Potential cultural taboos, user preferences and habits as well as local capacities may be challenging, impossible or inappropriate to change. An SWM technology needs to be accepted by/acceptable to the users and the personnel operating and maintaining it. 

18. Strengths and Weaknesses

This section concisely summarises the main strengths and weaknesses, supporting the decision-making process. A technology’s weaknesses might indicate that an exclusion criterion is fulfilled and a technology is not suitable for a specific context. Both strengths and weaknesses can be effectively used to inform the decisions of users and all those involved in the planning and implementation of the SWM system. 

19. References and Further Readings

This section refers users to specific pages of a detailed bibliography included in the annexe to the Compendium. The bibliography is a compilation of the most relevant SWM publications sorted by chapter with a short description for each listed publication. Users can use the publication list to find additional relevant information (e.g. design guidelines, research papers, case studies) on specific technologies.