Global municipal solid waste generation is projected to grow by over 75 percent by 2050, reaching nearly 3.8 billion metric tons, in a scenario where no urgent action is taken. In 2020, more than two billion metric tons of municipal solid waste were generated worldwide. Waste management disparities In 2022, New Zealand and Canada topped the list of OECD countries by volume of municipal waste sent to landfills per capita, at over 600 kilograms. In stark contrast, countries like Denmark and Germany send less than 10 kilograms per person to landfills annually. These two European countries also have some of the highest municipal waste recycling rates worldwide. Access to waste collection services A significant portion of the world's population lacks access to basic waste collection, with nearly three billion people not having access to these services in 2020. Collection rates were particularly low in Central and South Asia, as well as Sub-Saharan Africa, at less than 40 percent. This gap in service provision presents both a challenge and an opportunity for waste management companies to expand their operations and improve global waste management practices.

Food and garden waste account for the largest share of municipal solid waste generation worldwide, representing ** percent of the *** billion metric tons generated in 2020. Paper and cardboard had the second-largest share, while plastics accounted for ** percent of the total.

Some *** billion people - or ** percent of the global population - did not have access to waste collection services in 2020. Collection rates were the lowest in Central and South Asia, and Sub-Saharan Africa, where they stood below ** percent. In contrast, roughly the entire population in North America and Western Europe had access to such services.

In 2020, nearly ** percent of global municipal waste was disposed of in an uncontrolled form, likely ending up in open dumps or burned. Recycling only accounted for ** percent of municipal waste disposal that year, with another ** percent ending up in landfills.

In 2020, global municipal waste generation was estimated at *** billion metric tons. East and Southeast Asia contributed the largest share of waste generated that year, with nearly *** million metric tons. North America ranked second, with around *** million tons generated.

Austria and the United States have some of the highest volumes of municipal solid waste generation per capita worldwide, with each citizen producing on average over 800 kilograms annually. In contrast, municipal solid waste generation in Japan stood around 320 kilograms per capita, according to the latest available data. Global waste management landscape Global municipal waste generation is projected to grow 75 percent between 2020 and 2050, nearing four billion metric tons per annum by the latter year. As such, the importance of efficient disposal methods becomes increasingly critical. In 2020, the largest share of global municipal waste was managed in an uncontrolled manner, often ending up in open dumps. Landfilling accounted for another 30 percent, while less than 20 percent was recycled that year. Leading waste management companies French-based Veolia is by far the largest company in the waste management industry in terms of revenue, with 50 billion U.S. dollars generated in 2023. Across the Atlantic, the U.S. is also home to some of the largest waste management companies in the world, including Waste Management Inc., and Republic Services. Despite the high waste generation rates in developed countries, the growth in waste production is forecast to accelerate faster in low-income regions, presenting new challenges and opportunities for waste management companies worldwide.

The Waste Management Market Report is Segmented by Source (Residential, Commercial [Retail, Office, Etc. ], Industrial and More), by Service Type (Collection, Transportation, Sorting & Segregation and Disposal/Treatment), by Waste Type (Municipal Solid Waste, E-Waste and More) and by Geography (North America, Europe and More). The Report Offers Market Size and Forecasts in Value (USD) for all the Above Segments.

Municipal Waste Generated: Kg per Capita data was reported at 71.490 kg in 2020. Municipal Waste Generated: Kg per Capita data is updated yearly, averaging 71.490 kg from Dec 2020 (Median) to 2020, with 1 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 71.490 kg in 2020 and a record low of 71.490 kg in 2020. Municipal Waste Generated: Kg per Capita data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Saudi Arabia – Table SA.OECD.GGI: Environmental: Waste Management: Non OECD Member: Annual.

Germany DE: Municipal Waste Generated: Kg per Capita data was reported at 627.410 kg in 2020. This records an increase from the previous number of 606.010 kg for 2019. Germany DE: Municipal Waste Generated: Kg per Capita data is updated yearly, averaging 626.550 kg from Dec 1990 (Median) to 2020, with 27 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 662.980 kg in 1997 and a record low of 569.840 kg in 2006. Germany DE: Municipal Waste Generated: Kg per Capita data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Germany – Table DE.OECD.GGI: Environmental: Waste Management: OECD Member: Annual.

Curbing global solid waste emissions toward net-zero warming futures

A historical data inventory is developed based on a bottom-up approach for the 43 highest municipal solid waste (MSW)-generating countries, representing ~86% of the global MSW generation in 2016, based on World Bank. The selected countries comprise all four income groups: 14 high income, 13 upper-middle income, 13 lower-middle income, and 3 low income. The data inventory covers MSW generation, composition, and treatment facilities allocation data from 1990 to 2020. The data gaps for the MSW generation are filled using a panel data regression model with the gross domestic product (GDP) per capita as the MSW generation primarily grows with GDP and population growth. The greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions (i.e., carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N2O)) from the MSW disposal and treatment facilities in 1990–2020 are calculated based on the 2006 Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Guidelines fo...

This statistic represents the projected size of the global waste management market between 2010 and 2020, with a breakdown by region. The Asian market for waste management is expected to be sized at around *** billion U.S. dollars in 2015.

Portugal Municipal Waste Generated: By Origin: Other Municipal Waste data was reported at 0.000 Tonne th in 2020. Portugal Municipal Waste Generated: By Origin: Other Municipal Waste data is updated yearly, averaging 0.000 Tonne th from Dec 2020 (Median) to 2020, with 1 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 0.000 Tonne th in 2020 and a record low of 0.000 Tonne th in 2020. Portugal Municipal Waste Generated: By Origin: Other Municipal Waste data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Portugal – Table PT.OECD.ESG: Environmental: Municipal Waste Generation: OECD Member: Annual.

Global municipal solid waste generation per capita is projected to grow by nearly 50 percent by 2050, surpassing one kilogram per person per day, in a scenario where no urgent action is taken. Meanwhile, in a circular economy scenario, which considers global municipal waste generation to fall to 2020 levels by 2050, per capita generation would drop to 0.62 kilograms per day by the latter year. The world population is forecast to grow by two billion people by the end of the century, with the growth focused in Africa.

Japan Municipal Waste Generated: By Origin: Other Municipal Waste data was reported at 11,653.000 Tonne th in 2020. This records a decrease from the previous number of 13,022.000 Tonne th for 2019. Japan Municipal Waste Generated: By Origin: Other Municipal Waste data is updated yearly, averaging 13,086.000 Tonne th from Dec 1995 (Median) to 2020, with 18 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 17,990.000 Tonne th in 2000 and a record low of 11,653.000 Tonne th in 2020. Japan Municipal Waste Generated: By Origin: Other Municipal Waste data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Japan – Table JP.OECD.ESG: Environmental: Municipal Waste Generation: OECD Member: Annual.

The United States is by far the largest producer of municipal waste in the world, generating over 200 million metric tons, as of the latest data available. In contrast, municipal waste generation in the UK stood at around 29 million tons in 2022. Types of municipal waste Municipal waste consists of various everyday items, such as uneaten food, household appliances, clothing, and plastic packaging. The fastest growing waste stream is electronic waste, especially in developing nations. The volume of e-waste generated worldwide reached 62 million metric tons in 2022, and is expected to continue growing. What happens to municipal solid waste? Once collected by the appointed company, waste is then transported to sites to be either landfilled, recycled, composted, or recovered. Although recycling rates have been improving, landfilling is still the most common form of waste disposal and treatment worldwide. As waste generation continues to grow around the globe, many landfill sites have grown to astronomical sizes. One of the largest landfills in the world is Sudokwon, in South Korea, which dumps around 20,000 tons of waste a day.

Japan Municipal Waste Generated per Capita data was reported at 330.323 kg in 2020. This records a decrease from the previous number of 338.734 kg for 2019. Japan Municipal Waste Generated per Capita data is updated yearly, averaging 396.899 kg from Dec 1980 (Median) to 2020, with 37 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 432.008 kg in 2000 and a record low of 330.323 kg in 2020. Japan Municipal Waste Generated per Capita data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Japan – Table JP.OECD.ESG: Environmental: Municipal Waste Generation: OECD Member: Annual.

Norway NO: Municipal Waste Generated: Kg per Capita data was reported at 720.320 kg in 2020. This records a decrease from the previous number of 771.690 kg for 2019. Norway NO: Municipal Waste Generated: Kg per Capita data is updated yearly, averaging 512.585 kg from Dec 1990 (Median) to 2020, with 30 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 771.690 kg in 2019 and a record low of 363.790 kg in 2001. Norway NO: Municipal Waste Generated: Kg per Capita data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Norway – Table NO.OECD.GGI: Environmental: Waste Management: OECD Member: Annual.

Norway NO: Municipal Waste Disposed to Landfills: % of Treated Waste data was reported at 2.300 % in 2020. This records a decrease from the previous number of 3.710 % for 2019. Norway NO: Municipal Waste Disposed to Landfills: % of Treated Waste data is updated yearly, averaging 18.220 % from Dec 1992 (Median) to 2020, with 29 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 77.530 % in 1992 and a record low of 1.840 % in 2012. Norway NO: Municipal Waste Disposed to Landfills: % of Treated Waste data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Norway – Table NO.OECD.GGI: Environmental: Waste Management: OECD Member: Annual.

Electronic waste generation worldwide stood at roughly 62 million metric tons in 2022. Several factors, such as increased spending power, and the availability of electronics, has fueled e-waste generation in recent decades, making it the fastest growing waste stream worldwide. This trend is expected to continue, with annual e-waste generation forecast at 82 million metric tons in 2030.

How much e-waste do people produce?

Globally, e-waste generation per capita averaged 7.8 kilograms in 2022. However, this differs greatly depending on the region. While Asia produces the most e-waste worldwide in volume, Europe and Oceania were the regions with the highest e-waste generation per capita, at 17.6 and 16.1 kilograms respectively.

E-waste disposal

In 2022, the share of e-waste formally collected and recycled worldwide stood at 22.3 percent. Meanwhile, around 48 million metric tons are estimated to have been collected informally, with 29 percent of this value being disposed as residual waste, most likely ending up in landfills. Due to the hazardous materials that are often used in electronics, improper e-waste disposal is a growing environmental concern worldwide.

Georgia Municipal Waste Disposed to Landfills: % of Treated Waste data was reported at 100.000 % in 2020. This stayed constant from the previous number of 100.000 % for 2019. Georgia Municipal Waste Disposed to Landfills: % of Treated Waste data is updated yearly, averaging 100.000 % from Dec 2014 (Median) to 2020, with 7 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 100.000 % in 2020 and a record low of 100.000 % in 2020. Georgia Municipal Waste Disposed to Landfills: % of Treated Waste data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Georgia – Table GE.OECD.GGI: Environmental: Waste Management: Non OECD Member: Annual.