Global waste generation - statistics & facts
Where there are humans, there is waste. From agriculture to construction, industries to cities, human development leaves a trail of residues in its wake. More than two billion metric tons of municipal solid waste alone are generated worldwide every year. This figure is forecast to increase to almost four billion tons by 2050, in a business-as-usual scenario. With such immense volumes of waste arising, the need for improved waste management policies around the world has become ever more important.
Who generates the most waste?
Municipal waste is defined as the residues generated by households, retailers, and other small businesses. Although it represents a small share of total waste generated globally, it is usually monitored due to its relationship with individual consumption behavior and trends. MSW generation rates have been historically linked with economic growth and purchasing power, and as such, are usually highest in high-income countries. Austria, Denmark, and the U.S. are all among the largest generators of MSW per capita, with the average person generating over 800 kilograms of waste per year. That is nearly three times the global per capita MSW generation of 280 kilograms. Meanwhile, in terms of total volume, Asia is the largest waste generator. Nevertheless, even though the region accounts for roughly 60 percent of the global population, it was only responsible for 40 percent of global MSW generation in 2020.
Global waste streams
Waste consists of a variety of materials. Food and garden waste account for nearly half of municipal waste generated worldwide. In fact, it is estimated that households, food services, and retail generate over one billion tons of food waste per year, or a whopping 100 kilograms per person. With the global population expected to reach 10 billion by the end of the century, and with armed conflicts and climate change threatening the future of global food security, strategies for reducing food waste are gaining more and more importance around the world.
Although making up for a smaller share of municipal waste due to increased selective collection efforts, plastic and electronic waste have garnered huge attention in recent years due to their fast growth and impacts on both human life and natural ecosystems. Global e-waste generation was estimated at 62 million metric tons in 2022 and was forecast to grow by around 30 percent by the end of the decade, surpassing 80 million tons by 2030. Meanwhile, plastic waste generation worldwide amounted to 360 million metric tons in 2020 and was forecast at roughly 500 million tons by 2030. Both of these waste streams are still often disposed at landfills and dumping sites, despite efforts for recycling.
Fighting the global waste problem
Managing the ever-growing amount of waste generated around the world remains a challenge. With most waste streams still forecast to grow in a business-as-usual scenario, boosting recycling alone will not solve the problem. In order to tackle the global waste problem, a combination of measures will be needed, including product design for increased circularity, improving collection systems, reuse strategies, and most importantly, reducing the amount of materials being disposed of in the first place.
