Abstract :The increasing population and economic activities in Palestine, coupled with a reliance on imports and limited local manufacturing, have led to substantial challenges in solid waste management. Despite a high waste collection rate (over 98%), the solid waste management service is of poor quality and unreliable, and the system is inefficient. Primary and secondary collection is often unsanitary and suffers from poor planning, high operation and maintenance costs, and inadequate equipment. For disposal, currently 65% of solid waste is disposed in six landfills operating in West Bank and Gaza Strip, while 32% are illegally dumped and two landfills in Gaza Strips are not properly functioning under present war. Only an estimated 3% of the total amount of municipal waste produced annually is recovered and/or recycled. Under these circumstances, the waste reduction and minimization are of utmost importance in every sense. This study evaluates the current state of waste management in Palestine and outlines strategies for waste reduction and recycling, emphasizing the importance of minimizing waste at the source and improving resource recovery. In conclusions, the genralized waste management flow is presented according to the proposed waste reduction and minimization plan. The findings underscore the necessity for robust policy interventions, formulation of a waste reduction and minimization plan, enhanced infrastructure, and stakeholder engagement for sustainable waste management.

Keyword : 3Rs (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle), Controlled dumping sites (CDSs), Random dumping sites (RDSs), Sanitary landfills (SLFs); Sustainable solid waste management, Waste reduction and minimization.