The rate at which waste is being produced outpaces its effective management and is far more pronounced than what was initially forecasted. As per the latest edition of the report “What a Waste 3.0” from the World Bank Group, the global total of MSW in 2022 stood at 2.56 billion tonnes, a figure that was expected to be achieved only in 2030 according to past projections. The rapid pace of urbanization, income levels, and consumption will ensure that by 2050, MSW will reach a staggering volume of 3.86 billion tonnes. This disparity is especially pronounced in low-income countries, where only 31% of the waste is collected, and dumping remains widespread.
However, the report sees this situation as an opportunity to move forward strategically. The cost associated with waste management annually exceeds $250 billion and is set to grow. However, there is another aspect: failing to act means that waste collection will only continue to cause problems such as floods, pollution, and long-lasting negative effects. What a Waste 3.0, which has been compiled based on data from 217 countries and 262 cities, suggests several different approaches that may lead to waste generation stabilization or reduction to zero by 2050 while increasing the rates of recycling and waste disposal. Importantly, smarter systems not only will reduce expenses but will also generate employment opportunities and climate benefits. In other words, the transition to circularity is possible with today’s technology, and only financial and political decisions are needed now.