Global Waste Management Outlook (GWMO) 2024 released at sixth session of United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA-6)

Posted 29 Feb 2024

1 min read

It has been jointly published by the UN Environment Programme and International Solid Waste Association (ISWA).

Key findings:
- Municipal solid waste generation is predicted to grow from 2.3 billion tonnes in 2023 to 3.8 billion tonnes by 2050.
- Global direct cost of waste management was an estimated USD 252 billion in 2020, which would almost double by 2050 without urgent action.

Barriers to change in waste management
- Complex problem characterized by multi-layered interdependencies, compound social dynamics and web of stakeholders
- Lack of recognition of urgency with lagging data, underestimation of climate impacts and underexploitation of mitigation opportunities
- Lack of inclusion with non-recognition of gendered aspects of waste and undervaluation of informal sector
- Inadequate and ineffective legislations with lack of enabling environment, and weak enforcement
- Persistent market, financial and technical barriers

Recommendations
- Data and digitalisation to strengthen the waste management value chain
- Replication and scaling up of zero waste and circular economy initiatives
- Apply producer responsibility fees to prioritise waste reduction and avoid greenwashing
- Adopting behavioural science to engage people in waste reduction
- Harnessing the expertise of informal waste workers and women’s influence on waste management

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