It awards the title of Chartered Waste Manager to qualifying members.
The objectives of the CIWM are to advance the scientific, technical and practical aspects of wastes and resource management for the safeguarding of the natural environment, to promote education, training, and research in wastes and resource management, and the dissemination of knowledge of the topic; and to strive to achieve and maintain the highest standards of best practice, technical competence and conduct by all its members.
The organisation was first established as the Association of Cleansing Superintendents of Great Britain on 25 June 1898, with waste managers from northern and Scottish cities, and was incorporated as the Institute of Cleansing Superintendents in 1908.
It was awarded a Royal Charter of Incorporation by Queen Elizabeth on 1 March 2002, and adopted its current name.
CIWM publishes the quarterly magazine 'Circular' and the quarterly Municipal Vehicle Operator, and holds an annual joint conference with the Environmental Services Association in London.