Waste management (WM) is one of the most important challenges of our time. WM models are typically concentrated on the optimization of collection and processing systems, omitting waste generation analysis and its potential to reduce costs in further stages.   

In this sense, the aim of this thesis is to analyse the elements that interact in WM dynamics and present a model where economic instruments are applied as a potential driver of key changes toward sustainable WM in Latin American countries (LAC).   

The thesis is structured in four central chapters, complemented by the Introduction and the Conclusion. The Introduction describes the problem, the main objectives and a general outline of the work. In the first central chapter, the theoretical framework is presented, with aspects related to Environmental Economics, Waste Economics and WM Evaluation Models. The Second and Third Chapters are composed of articles that present the state of the art of the current WM policies applied in selected countries, with particular emphasis on Brazil. Finally, the fourth chapter is dedicated to the presentation of a model applied to the WM sector. The Federal District of Brazil was chosen as a case study, and guidelines for the design and implementation of policies were listed. 

It was found that the success of economic instruments was conditioned by the expansion and modification of the current tariff structure and the compensation of urban environmental services, as well as the enforcement of measures like the extended producer responsibility (EPR). Despite there being no one-size-fits-all model for WM, urban areas of LAC share a series of conditions and issues that facilitates the adaptation and further adoption of a general, basic policy strategy. This is inspired in the context of the Federal District and summarized in a 3-phase plan. In a complementary way, subsidiary WM policies must work for the adoption of sustainable design patterns and infrastructure in urban areas with the aim of interrupting old habits, they must promote the application of investment in the early stages of products’ life cycles and must also give other steps to prevent waste generation and significantly reduce management costs. Nevertheless, the implementation of WM policies at the country level in an unstructured manner is not recommended, since local and decentralised actions are less expensive and have proved to be more effective.