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Waste generation has increased massively around the world in recent decades, and there are no signs of it slowing down. More than two billion metric tons of municipal solid waste (MSW) are generated worldwide every year, and this figure is expected to increase by roughly 70 percent by 2050. With such immense volumes of waste arising, the need for authorities to provide adequate waste treatment and disposal services has become ever more important.
Largest waste producers worldwide
With a population of more than 1.4 billion people – the largest in the world – China is responsible for the largest share of global municipal solid waste, at around 15.5 percent, according to the latest data. The Asian country is estimated to generate over 200 million metric tons of MSW per year. On the other side of the globe, the United States produced roughly 12 percent of global MSW in 2018, while accounting for less than five percent of the global population. The U.S. is amongst the largest generators of MSW per capita, with the average American producing more than 800 kilograms of waste per year. However, among OECD countries, Denmark ranks as the top waste producer per capita, with 845 kilograms generated in 2022. This is almost twice the average per capita MSW generation in the EU. The high waste generation of the Nordic country is associated with a mostly urban population combined with a high purchasing power.
Global waste streams
Waste consists of a variety of materials, from food and packaging to electronics and construction materials. While plastic waste has garnered huge attention in recent years due to its impacts on marine life, electronic waste (E-waste) is the fastest growing waste stream worldwide. Global E-waste generation stood at around 50 million metric tons in 2019 and was forecast to grow by around 40 percent in just one decade, to reach some 75 million tons by 2030. Much like other waste forms, e-waste generation per capita is higher in wealthier nations, with countries like Norway, the UK, and Switzerland generating more than 20 kilograms per person per year. While E-waste is a fast-growing stream, food is still the most common form of waste, accounting for almost 50 percent of global MSW generation.
Fighting the global waste problem
Managing the ever-growing amount of waste generated around the world remains a challenge, with huge quantities still sent to landfills. In 2022, over 10 thousand tons of waste were sent daily to the world’s largest landfill sites. Waste is also often disposed of at hazardous open dump sites, especially in developing nations. With recycling rates varying significantly by country, there is still a lot of room for improvement and development.
This text provides general information. Statista assumes no liability for the information given being complete or correct. Due to varying update cycles, statistics can display more up-to-date data than referenced in the text.
Bruna Alves Research lead covering environment and sustainability 
Key insights
- Projected MSW generation worldwide in 2050
- 3.4bn tons
Detailed statistics
Global municipal solid waste generation projection 2016-2050
- China's share of global MSW generation
- 15.55%
Detailed statistics
Global population and MSW generation shares by key country 2018
- Per capita waste sent to landfills in the U.S.
- 402 kg
Detailed statistics
Global landfill waste generated per capita 2022, by select country
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Overview
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- Premium Statistic Largest waste producing countries worldwide per capita 2019
- Premium Statistic Global population and MSW generation shares by key country 2018
- Premium Statistic Global waste disposed annually at selected landfills 2023
- Premium Statistic Global landfill waste generated per capita 2022, by select country
Overview
- Premium Statistic Largest waste producing countries worldwide per capita 2019
Largest waste producing countries worldwide per capita 2019
Estimated annual waste per capita of the leading waste producing countries worldwide as of 2019 (in metric tons)
- Premium Statistic Global population and MSW generation shares by key country 2018
Global population and MSW generation shares by key country 2018
Global population and municipal solid waste generation shares in 2018, by select country
- Premium Statistic Global waste disposed annually at selected landfills 2023
Global waste disposed annually at selected landfills 2023
Annual volume of waste disposed at the largest landfills worldwide as of 2023 (in million tons)
- Premium Statistic Global landfill waste generated per capita 2022, by select country See AlsoTypes of Wastes - Different Types and Sources of WastesThe Consequences of Improper Waste Disposal - EJ Shanley & Son LtdSource and Types of Waste -Types of Waste, Sources of Waste & Recycling of WasteOn the Etymologies of Waste
Global landfill waste generated per capita 2022, by select country
Per capita waste sent to landfills worldwide as of 2022, by select country (in kilograms)
Municipal waste
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- Premium Statistic Annual municipal waste generated per capita by OECD countries 2022
- Basic Statistic Global municipal waste generation 2021, by select country
- Premium Statistic Global per capita generation of municipal solid waste by select country 2018
- Basic Statistic Global waste breakdown by material type 2016
Municipal waste
- Premium Statistic Annual municipal waste generated per capita by OECD countries 2022
Annual municipal waste generated per capita by OECD countries 2022
Average annual per capita municipal waste generated by OECD countries as of 2022 (in kilograms)
- Basic Statistic Global municipal waste generation 2021, by select country
Global municipal waste generation 2021, by select country
Generation of municipal waste worldwide as of 2021, by select country (in million metric tons)
- Premium Statistic Global per capita generation of municipal solid waste by select country 2018
Global per capita generation of municipal solid waste by select country 2018
Daily municipal solid waste generation per capita worldwide in 2018, by select country (in kilograms)
- Basic Statistic Global waste breakdown by material type 2016
Global waste breakdown by material type 2016
Distribution of municipal solid waste generated worldwide in 2016, by material type
Plastic waste
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- Premium Statistic Plastic waste generation worldwide 1980-2019, by application
- Premium Statistic Plastic waste generation worldwide 2019, by region
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- Premium Statistic Number waste items found in oceans worldwide 2022, by type
- Premium Statistic Plastic packaging waste generation per capita in the EU-27 2021, by country
Plastic waste
- Premium Statistic Plastic waste generation worldwide 1980-2019, by application
Plastic waste generation worldwide 1980-2019, by application
Plastic waste generation worldwide from 1980 to 2019, by application (in million metric tons)
- Premium Statistic Plastic waste generation worldwide 2019, by region
Plastic waste generation worldwide 2019, by region
Plastic waste generation worldwide in 2019, by region (in million metric tons)
- Premium Statistic Global industrial plastic waste generation 2019, by sector
Global industrial plastic waste generation 2019, by sector
Plastic waste generation from the industrial sector worldwide in 2019, by segment (in million metric tons)
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Single-use plastic waste generation worldwide 2019, by select country
Largest single-use plastic waste generating countries worldwide in 2019 (in million metric tons)
- Premium Statistic Number waste items found in oceans worldwide 2022, by type
Number waste items found in oceans worldwide 2022, by type
Most common items found during the International Coastal Ocean Cleanup in 2022
- Premium Statistic Plastic packaging waste generation per capita in the EU-27 2021, by country
Plastic packaging waste generation per capita in the EU-27 2021, by country
Generation of plastic packaging waste in the European Union (EU-27) in 2021, by country (in kilograms per capita)
Electronic waste
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- Premium Statistic Global e-waste generation 2010-2022
- Premium Statistic Global e-waste generation 2022, by region
- Premium Statistic Global e-waste generation 2022, by type
- Premium Statistic Global per capita e-waste generation 2022, by major country
- Premium Statistic Global e-waste generation per capita 2010-2022
- Premium Statistic Leading tech companies' generated waste worldwide 2022
Electronic waste
- Premium Statistic Global e-waste generation 2010-2022
Global e-waste generation 2010-2022
Electronic waste generated worldwide from 2010 to 2022 (in million metric tons)
- Premium Statistic Global e-waste generation 2022, by region
Global e-waste generation 2022, by region
See AlsoGlossary:WasteGeneration of electronic waste worldwide in 2022, by region (in million metric tons)
- Premium Statistic Global e-waste generation 2022, by type
Global e-waste generation 2022, by type
Generation of electronic waste worldwide in 2022, by type (in million metric tons)
- Premium Statistic Global per capita e-waste generation 2022, by major country
Global per capita e-waste generation 2022, by major country
Leading countries based on per capita electronic waste generation in 2022 (in kilograms)
- Premium Statistic Global e-waste generation per capita 2010-2022
Global e-waste generation per capita 2010-2022
Per capita electronic waste generation worldwide from 2010 to 2022 (in kilograms)
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Leading tech companies' generated waste worldwide 2022
Waste generated from leading tech companies worldwide in 2022, by company (in metric tons)
Food waste
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- Premium Statistic Food waste produced annually in selected countries worldwide 2020
- Premium Statistic Per capita household food waste of selected countries worldwide 2020
- Premium Statistic Food waste produced per capita worldwide 2020, by region
- Premium Statistic Food waste production worldwide 2019, by sector
Food waste
- Premium Statistic Food waste produced annually in selected countries worldwide 2020
Food waste produced annually in selected countries worldwide 2020
Annual household food waste produced in selected countries worldwide as of 2020 (in million metric tons per year)
- Premium Statistic Per capita household food waste of selected countries worldwide 2020
Per capita household food waste of selected countries worldwide 2020
Annual per capita household food waste of selected countries worldwide as of 2020 (in kilograms per year)
- Premium Statistic Food waste produced per capita worldwide 2020, by region
Food waste produced per capita worldwide 2020, by region
Estimated annual household food waste produced per capita worldwide as of 2020, by region (in kilograms per capita)
- Premium Statistic Food waste production worldwide 2019, by sector
Food waste production worldwide 2019, by sector
Total food waste produced worldwide in 2019, by sector (in million metric tons)
Outlook
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- Basic Statistic Global municipal solid waste generation projection 2016-2050
- Premium Statistic Global waste generation outlook by region 2016-2050
- Premium Statistic Forecast global plastic waste generation 2019-2060
Outlook
- Basic Statistic Global municipal solid waste generation projection 2016-2050
Global municipal solid waste generation projection 2016-2050
Projected generation of municipal solid waste worldwide from 2016 to 2050 (in billion metric tons)
- Premium Statistic Global waste generation outlook by region 2016-2050
Global waste generation outlook by region 2016-2050
Projection of waste generation worldwide in 2016, 2030, and 2050, by region (in million metric tons)
- Premium Statistic Forecast global plastic waste generation 2019-2060
Forecast global plastic waste generation 2019-2060
Projected plastic waste generation worldwide from 2019 to 2060 (in million metric tons)
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- Electronic waste worldwide
- Global plastic waste
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