This policy framework is intended as a guide to assist states in developing their own policies for solid and liquid waste management in rural areas. As such, it does not prescribe what should be in the State’s policy. It raises the issues and challenges that may need to be addressed for the State to formulate its own policy and provides suggestions on how to do this. Each state has a set of unique legal, institutional, economic, social, demographic, physical, and environmental conditions that are likely to influence its solid waste and wastewater policies. Whilst national experience is useful for generating policy options, solutions to each state’s problems must be tailored to circumstances in each state. The formulation of state policies for solid and liquid waste management can be complex and is dependent on many factors including, the size and topography of the state, its hydrological and environmental conditions and the diversity of stakeholders. A State specific assessment is an essential step in developing policy.