Global municipal solid waste generation 2020-2050

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.