Ten Charts that Explain the Global Waste Crisis

Solid waste is one of the most visible by-products of human prosperity—and one of the most underestimated threats to our shared future.

Without action, rising waste volumes will overwhelm existing infrastructure, undermine global economic development and job creation, and threaten public health and the environment. Nonetheless, through policy and investment, countries can cap waste even as they grow their economies by expanding infrastructure, improving service quality, and unlocking millions of jobs.

To fully grasp the scale and urgency of today’s challenges, as well as the opportunities they present, the World Bank Group’s new What a Waste 3.0 report offers the most up-to date data and statistical analytics on global solid waste management. Drawing on the most recent publicly accessible data from 217 countries and economies and 262 cities, it provides a framework for understanding how different policy choices and levels of ambition could shape the future of global waste.

Here are ten key takeaways from What a Waste 3.0 that explain the global waste crisis—and how to fix it. 

1. Waste Volumes Could Grow 50% by 2050

In 2022, the world generated 2.6 billion tonnes of municipal solid waste. What a Waste 3.0 reveals that total annual volumes could rise to 3.9 billion tonnes by 2050 without major policy and investment shifts—a 50% increase—with the fastest growth projected in the rapidly growing regions of Sub-Saharan Africa (124%) and South Asia (99%). 

2.) One-Third of All Waste is Mismanaged

One-third of all waste produced globally goes uncollected or is openly dumped, according to the report. This challenge is most acute in low-income countries, where just 3% of generated waste is treated in some way. Plastic waste is of particular concern; nearly 29% of all plastic waste, or 93 million tonnes per year, is mismanaged.

3.) Food Makes Up the Largest Share of Global Waste

Food waste constitutes the largest share of municipal solid waste globally, accounting for 38% of all waste. Food waste occurs at retail and consumer levels, when edible food is discarded or wasted due to spoilage, over purchasing, aesthetic standards, or expiry dates. In low-income countries, food and garden waste account for more than half of municipal waste. 

4.) The Average Person Generates 0.88 Kilograms of Waste Per Day

Globally, the average person generates 0.88 kilograms of waste each day. This varies widely across countries and regions—from 0.2 kilograms per capita per day or less in some low-income countries such as Niger, to 2.2 kilograms per capita per day or more in high-income countries like the United States of America and Canada.

5.) Countries Can Cap Waste Even as They Grow Their Economies

Without action, annual global waste generation is projected to increase by 50% by 2050. But a different future is possible: What a Waste 3.0 has developed low and high ambition alternate scenarios, providing a framework for understanding how different choices could shape the future of global waste.

The high ambition scenario would reduce total waste generation, eliminate uncollected waste and dumpsite disposal, and significantly improve waste treatment. The low ambition scenario represents a middle path, achieving half the reduction of the high ambition scenario.

6.) Better Waste Management Can Offset Projected Emissions Increases

In 2022, waste-related emissions were about 1.28 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e), mostly generated from waste disposal. Based on current trajectories, emissions could rise to roughly 1.84 billion tonnes of CO2e by 2050. Both the low and high ambition scenarios would reduce emissions compared to the business as usual scenario through reduced waste generation and a shift away from dumping and incineration.

7.) Ambition Costs Less than Inaction

The economic damage from dumping and burning—including flooding, health impacts, lost income, and environmental degradation—exceeds the cost of properly operating waste systems. The low and high ambition scenarios outlined in the report would reduce costs compared to business as usual, mostly by decreasing total waste generation in high-income countries.

8.) Most Countries Underinvest in Waste Management

Adequate waste management requires around 0.3–0.8% of GDP, yet most countries spend less than half that level. Low- and middle-income countries face investment needs of $2.2 trillion by 2050, while official development finance over the past 18 years was less than 1% of that amount.

9.) Stronger Waste Systems Can Create Better Jobs

Inadequate waste management is undermining global economic development and job creation in sectors like tourism, agriculture, and fisheries, while also threatening public health and the environment. Approximately 18 million people work in urban waste management today, and according to the ILO, about 40 percent of waste sector workers globally operate outside formal employment. Investing more to integrate informal workers and scale circular solutions could create more jobs in sectors like recycling, manufacturing, construction, and clean energy.  

10.) The World Bank Group Stands Ready to Support

The World Bank Group is the largest development financier for solid waste management, having provided $5.1 billion between 2003 and 2021. We provide data, technical expertise, financing, and private-capital solutions to help countries and cities shift from open dumping to universal collection, resource recovery, and controlled disposal.

By aligning data with ambition and finance with reform, we can turn the mounting waste crisis into an opportunity to build cleaner, more resilient, and livable cities and communities—creating jobs today while safeguarding resources for tomorrow.

Source : World Bank