Project Progress Index for the Management of Household Solid Waste in the Municipalities of Misiones, Argentina

Abstract

The management of Household Solid Waste (HSW) represents a growing challenge for the municipalities of Misiones, Argentina, due to its triple impact: environmental, economic, and social. Although Argentina national legislation assigns municipalities the responsibility for managing their waste, many—especially smaller ones—lack sufficient infrastructure, human  resources, and financial capacity to do so efficiently. In this context, the Project Progress Index (PPI) was developed, a methodological tool based on the Organizational Capacity Index (OCI), designed to evaluate the progress of waste management plans in micro-regions and with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This mixed-method study (qualitative and quantitative) included a literature review, participatory workshops, and waste characterization in municipalities of Misiones between 2022 and 2025 year. The PPI integrates factors such as human and financial resources, infrastructure, management capacity, innovation, circularity, and sustainable behavior, allowing for the monitoring of local capacity development and prioritization of improvements. Results show that most municipalities exhibit moderate organizational capacities, with progress in inter-institutional cooperation and environmental education, although limitations remain in funding and infrastructure. It is concluded that the index is a useful tool for monitoring HSW management plans. The aim of this article is to present the proposed PPI as a practical and adaptable tool to measure progress toward integrated waste management and the transition to a circular economy at the local.