Characterization of the Nouakchott household solid waste stream destined for landfilling revealed a waste density of 0.41 kg/m3 and a moisture content of 9%, which is low compared to other countries. Generation rates averaged 0.21 kg per capita day?1 (0.19; 0.23 and 0.22 kg per capita day?1 respectively at the low, medium and the high income level). These rates do not show a relationship between income level and quantity of waste generated, and this is likely due to the contribution of fines in the waste stream. When the fines are neglected, there is a clear increase in per capita waste generation rate with income level (0.12; 0.15 et 0.18 kg per capita day?1 respectively for the low, the medium and the high income residents).The low generation rates of household waste in general in Nouakchott are due to the fact that the organic fraction of the waste stream is traditionally withheld for use as supplementary feed for domestic cattle. This practice constitutes source reduction, and when this waste stream is taken into account, the amount of household refuse produced in Nouakchott is about 0.35 kg per capita day?1, with generation rates of 0.30; 0.34 and 0, 40 kg per capita day?1 respectively at the low, medium and the high income levels. There were distinct seasonal variations, with a relatively significant increase in waste generation rates in the dry season compared to the wet one. The most important difference was obtained in the low income strata, where the dry season rates increased about +47% above levels in the wet season.