The article analysed gaps in solid waste management activities in a few cities in India and opportunities to integrate the informal waste management sector in tackling the gaps through policy recommendations. India's collection and recycling are not executed effectively and are linked to numerous reasons, including socio-political hindrances, inefficient collection and lack of appropriate infrastructure and technology. In developing countries such as India, the informal waste sector contributes to a higher recovery of materials from municipal waste than formal waste management services. This article introduced a model for integration to increase the involvement of the informal waste sector in supporting waste recovery initiatives in India. Link to report: https://www.jstor.org/stable/resrep37912