The City Waste Management Strategy and Action Plan for Mandalay (CWMSAP) gives a long-term vision and guide to Mandalay City Development Committee (MCDC) for its efforts towards transforming from the traditional waste management practices (waste collection and disposal) to more sustainable waste management practices including 3Rs (Reduce, Reuse and Recycle) to achieve a resource efficient and zero waste society. It focuses on the ongoing work undertaken by MCDC to improve the level and quality of waste management, taking into consideration past actions and present socioeconomic constraints. It also reflects discussions on best practices from around the world as well as the expressed views of national and local stakeholders, though remains specific to Mandalay as it has been developed in context of its particular social, economic, cultural and political environment.

The City Waste Management Strategy and Action Plan is also intended to identify programmes, approaches and local policies to enhance municipal solid waste (MSW) collection and diversion, improve final treatment and disposal, maximise proper collection and treatment of industrial, medical and other types of waste, an effective treatment of liquid waste (waste water), whilst ensuring that waste management services remain sustainable through institutional strengthening, capacity building, awareness raising, advocacy and continuous review, monitoring, innovation and improvement.

Specific targets and actions have also been developed for each strategy via a consultative process with key stakeholders to ensure efficient operation of waste management and recycling activities in the city. However, the specific processing or disposal technologies identified in this strategy and action plan need to be finalised after reviewing their practical applicability to the local financial, environmental, social and cultural context.