A new study reveals escalating trends in global municipal solid waste generation, projecting an increase from 2.3 billion tonnes in 2023 to 3.8 billion tonnes by 2050.
In an effort to address the escalating challenges of waste management, the Global Waste Management Outlook, a collaborative publication between the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA) and the International Solid Waste Association (ISWA), presents an in-depth analysis of the state of global waste management.
This initiative follows mandates from UNEA’s Resolution 2/7 and 4/7, aiming to provide actionable insights into waste management practices worldwide.
The key findings reveal escalating trends in municipal solid waste, projecting an increase from 2.3 billion tonnes in 2023 to 3.8 billion tonnes by 2050.
The economic ramifications, according to the report, could see the direct global cost of waste management, currently estimated at USD 252 billion in 2020, escalate to USD 640.3 billion by 2050 if current practices persist.
A shift towards a circular economy, emphasising waste avoidance and sustainable business practices, is highlighted as a potential path to not only mitigate costs but also achieve a net gain of USD 108.5 billion annually.
This figure balloons further when considering the indirect costs associated with pollution, health impacts, and climate change.
However, the report also outlines scenarios where adopting robust waste prevention and management strategies could significantly curb these costs.
A shift towards a circular economy, emphasising waste avoidance and sustainable business practices, is highlighted as a potential path to not only mitigate costs but also achieve a net gain of USD 108.5 billion annually.
According to the report’s key findings, the findings underscore the urgent need for a concerted global effort to overhaul waste management practices.
It calls on stakeholders at all levels, from multinational development banks and national governments to local municipalities, businesses, and citizens, to adopt comprehensive waste reduction and management strategies.
It says these strategies are designed to transform waste into a resource, aligning with the waste hierarchy principle and steering society towards a more sustainable and economically viable future.
