NAIROBI, Kenya, Feb 29 — The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) has predicted the growth of municipal solid waste generation from 2.3 billion tonnes in 2023 to 3.8 billion tonnes by 2050 in a new report released on Wednesday.
Jointly published with the International Solid Waste Association (ISWA), the report titled ‘Beyond an age of waste: Turning rubbish into a resource’,UNEP’s Global Waste Management Outlook 2024 (GWMO 2024), provides an update on global waste generation and the cost of waste and its management since 2018.
In 2020 alone, the direct cost of waste management globally reached an estimated USD 252 billion.
However, when factoring in the hidden costs of pollution, adverse health effects, and climate change resulting from inadequate waste disposal practices, this figure rises substantially to USD 361 billion.
Without urgent action, the report warns that by 2050, the annual cost of waste management could nearly double to USD 640.3 billion.
UNEP’s Executive Director, Inger Andersen, emphasized the intrinsic link between waste generation and GDP, cautioning that many rapidly growing economies are grappling with the burden of escalating waste volumes.
Towards zero-waste
“By identifying actionable steps to a more resourceful future and emphasising the pivotal role of decision-makers in the public and private sectors to move towards zero waste, this Global Waste Management Outlook can support governments seeking to prevent missed opportunities to create more sustainable societies and to secure a liveable planet for future generations,” she said Wednesday during the launch of the report at the ongoing sixth session of the United National Environment Assembly(UNEA-6) IN Nairobi.
Carlos Silva Filho, ISWA’s President echoed these sentiments, noting that the GWMO 2024 is a guide and call for action to catalyse collective efforts to support bold and transformative solutions, revert the adverse impacts of current waste management practices, and provide clear benefits to every individual living on the planet.
Filho said that collaborative actions are instrumental to accelerating the achievement of the 2030 Agenda.
“As a partner and supporter of the GWMO since its inception, ISWA will ensure it is now disseminated and implemented on the ground by providing the support needed to address the challenges currently observed,” he said.
Zoë Lenkiewicz, the lead author of the report, underscored the urgent need for a shift towards a zero-waste approach, emphasizing the critical role of strong leadership in combatting pollution and ensuring inclusive waste management practices.
“Pollution from waste knows no borders,” Lenkiewicz remarked, highlighting the collective responsibility to prioritize waste prevention and invest in comprehensive waste management strategies.