Global Municipal Solid Waste Management Market Size
| Study Period | 2024 - 2030 |
| Market Size (2025) | USD 120.05 Billion |
| Market Size (2030) | USD 151.54 Billion |
| CAGR (2025 - 2030) | 4.77% |
| Fastest Growing Market | North America |
| Largest Market | Asia Pacific |
| Market Concentration | Medium |
Major Players
*Disclaimer: Major Players sorted in no particular order |
Global Municipal Solid Waste Management Market Analysis
The Global Municipal Solid Waste Management Market size is estimated at USD 120.05 billion in 2025, and is expected to reach USD 151.54 billion by 2030, at a CAGR of 4.77% during the forecast period (2025-2030).
- The global municipal solid waste management market is set for substantial growth from 2024 to 2032. This surge can be attributed to the increasing uptake of cutting-edge solutions for solid waste disposal. Moreover, the escalating global demand for sustainable waste management technologies further bolsters this growth trajectory. Notably, the residential segment is poised for significant expansion until 2032. This surge is propelled by factors like surging populations and the concurrent rise in residential infrastructure, often resulting in challenges of solid waste mismanagement.
- In 2023, according to the sources, the United Nations Human Settlements Program conducted an independent analysis of global waste generation and management. The report revealed a significant difference in estimates, with the UN estimating global municipal waste at 2.3 billion tons, compared to the 2.1 billion tons reported by other sources. The UN's analysis also highlighted a higher global average waste collection rate of 84% (compared to 75% from other sources). Additionally, the report noted that 61% of all municipal waste is "controlled," slightly lower than the 62% reported by other sources. By 2050, the global municipal solid waste (MSW) generation is projected to surge by 56%, reaching 3.8 billion tons. This significant uptick can be attributed to the simultaneous growth in the global economy and population.
- Food waste is a major concern in North America, so to regulate it in January 2024, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is channeling an estimated USD 11.5 million into 38 cooperative agreements. These agreements aim to bolster innovative waste management strategies, specifically targeting food waste reduction and diversion from landfills. These initiatives, known as the Composting and Food Waste Reduction cooperative agreements, are funded under the American Rescue Plan Act. They are vital to the USDA's broader commitment to bolster urban agriculture. The program is a collaborative effort between the USDA's Office of Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production and the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA). The selected projects are slated for implementation from the present year through 2026.
Global Municipal Solid Waste Management Market Trends
Landfill disposal method is raising health concerns
Annually, the world grapples with a staggering 2 billion tons of municipal solid waste (MSW), with organic waste comprising 40 to 70% of this total, primarily food and green waste. When left unmanaged, organic waste decomposes in landfills, releasing methane. Methane, a potent greenhouse gas, traps 25 times more heat than carbon dioxide, and its emissions have contributed to 45% of global temperature increases since the Industrial Revolution. This accelerated climate change poses a direct threat to the environment and human well-being. The Mesquite landfill in Brawley, United States, stands as the global leader, receiving a staggering 7.3 million tons of waste each year. This figure surpasses any other landfill site across the globe. Notably, the United States is also home to the Apex Regional landfill, which sees an annual intake of around 3.3 million tons of waste.
The waste sector, responsible for a significant portion of anthropogenic methane emissions, ranks as the third-largest contributor to global methane emissions. Despite the evident environmental and health risks, a troubling 33% of MSW worldwide is mismanaged, ending up in unsanitary landfills, dumpsites, or being openly burned without proper controls.
With global waste generation projected to soar to a staggering 3.4 billion tons by 2050, the need to revamp waste management practices, particularly for organic waste, is pressing. Recognizing this urgency, the Philippines has unveiled its National Strategy to Reduce Short-Lived Climate Pollutants, outlining ambitious targets for 2030. These goals include capturing landfill gas (LFG) and diverting organic waste for composting. The country is also exploring innovative financing mechanisms, such as emission reduction purchase agreement credits, to support these initiatives. Notably, the Philippines has already implemented biogas collection systems in livestock farms and LFG collection systems in landfills, curbing GHG emissions and generating clean energy.
Asia-Pacific is dominating the region
The Asia-Pacific region, housing 60% of the global population (around 4.3 billion people), boasts nations like China and India, known for their sheer population size. Governments in the region are actively addressing waste management. Notably, initiatives like India's Swachh Bharat Mission and Swachh Bharat Mission Urban (SBM-U) prioritize the scientific processing of municipal solid waste. Impressively, the region has seen a significant uptick in waste processing and recycling, with the current rate at 75% compared to 17% in 2014. This progress underscores the efficacy of ongoing waste management endeavors. However, this positive trend is counterbalanced by a simultaneous surge in overall waste generation, necessitating intensified efforts in waste reduction, management, and recycling.
For Instance, in December 2023, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) greenlit a USD 200 million loan to bolster solid waste management and sanitation efforts in Indian cities. This financial backing from ADB aligns with the Indian government's Swachh Bharat (Clean India) Mission–Urban 2.0, which sets a target for all cities to achieve garbage-free status by 2026. Under the Swachh Bharat Mission 2.0–Comprehensive Municipal Waste Management in Indian Cities Program, ADB's funding facilitated the adoption of international best practices, cutting-edge technologies, and resilient approaches to tackle municipal solid waste. The program also emphasizes bolstering women's involvement in sanitation and service delivery, as well as fostering private-sector engagement. This ADB initiative, spanning 100 cities across eight states, aims to enhance municipal solid waste management and sanitation infrastructure. Additionally, ADB will extend a USD 3.15 million technical assistance (TA) grant from various funds, including the Urban Resilience Trust Fund, the Republic of Korea e-Asia and Knowledge Partnership Fund, and the Sanitation Financing Partnership Trust Fund. This TA grant will bolster program implementation, enhance financial management and monitoring capabilities in select states, and facilitate city-to-city partnerships through twinning initiatives.
Global Municipal Solid Waste Management Industry Overview
The market studied is fragmented, with many players aiming to mitigate waste generation, as well as recycle and reuse the waste in the most effective way possible. Major players include Waste Management Inc., Republic Services, Waste Connections, and many more.
With growth in manufacturing and domestic consumption, worldwide total waste production is set to increase from its current annual rate of 3.8 billion tons by 2050. Numerous startups are focusing on developing innovative approaches for waste disposal in an environment-friendly manner.
As global production of waste increases, the municipal bodies mandated to establish coherent and sustainable waste management systems have been encouraged by the federal government to partner with the private sector.
Global Municipal Solid Waste Management Market Leaders
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Waste Managemnt Inc.
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Republic Services
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Waste Connections
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Clean Harbors
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Stericycle
- *Disclaimer: Major Players sorted in no particular order
Global Municipal Solid Waste Management Market News
- April 2024: Organic Recycling Systems Limited (ORS) is set to make its mark in the Middle East. The company recently inked a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with BioCatalyst, the authorized distributor and service provider for Bio Organic Catalyst Inc. in the Middle East. Headquartered in California, USA, this partnership highlights ORS's dedication to driving sustainable waste management solutions in the region. The MOA outlines the terms of collaboration between ORS and BioCatalyst, focusing on joint marketing and business development for both centralized and decentralized waste management (MSW) projects. By joining forces, the two entities aim to introduce groundbreaking technologies and practices, revolutionizing waste handling, treatment, and disposal in the Middle East.
- March 2024: The Arab Organization for Industrialization (AOI) has secured a USD 41.90 million investment from the European Bank to establish four waste recycling facilities. These facilities are part of a comprehensive initiative to improve the Kitchener Drain's water quality. This endeavor is pivotal for environmental betterment and crucial for the well-being of Egyptian citizens, aligning with the nation's sustainable development goals and Vision 2030. The project, slated for a 22-month, commenced in March and concludes in December 2025. The three recycling plants, located in Desouk, Hamoul, and Kafr El-Sheikh, are designed to process a combined daily capacity of 1,800 tons of waste. A fourth facility in Belqas, Dakahlia, will handle an additional 600 tons per day.
Global Municipal Solid Waste Management Industry Segmentation
Waste management encompasses the treatment of both solid and liquid waste. However, it goes beyond mere disposal, presenting a range of recycling solutions for items that don't fit the conventional trash category.
The report provides a comprehensive background analysis of the market, covering the current market trends, restraints, technological updates, and detailed information on various segments and the competitive landscape of the industry. Additionally, the COVID-19 impact has been incorporated and considered during the study.
The global municipal solid waste management market is segmented by waste type (paper and cardboard, e-waste, plastic waste, metal waste, glass waste, and other waste types), by source (residential, commercial, construction, and other sources), by disposal method (landfill, incineration, recycling, and other disposal methods), and by geography (North America (United States, Canada, and Mexico), South America (Brazil, Peru, and Rest of South America), Europe (United Kingdom, France, Italy, and Rest of Europe), Asia-Pacific(China, India, Singapore, Thailand, and Rest of Asia-Pacific), and the Middle East and Africa (Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Oman, Qatar, Egypt, and Rest of the Middle East and Africa )). The market size and forecasts are provided in terms of values (USD) for all the above segments.
| By Waste Type | Paper and Cardboard | ||
| E-waste | |||
| Plastic Waste | |||
| Metal Waste | |||
| Glass Waste | |||
| Other Waste Types | |||
| By Source | Residential | ||
| Commercial | |||
| Construction | |||
| Other Sources | |||
| By Disposal Method | Landfill | ||
| Incineration | |||
| Recycling | |||
| Other Disposal Methods | |||
| By Geographyin | North America | United States | |
| Canada | |||
| Mexico | |||
| South America | Brazil | ||
| Peru | |||
| Rest of South America | |||
| Europe | United Kingdom | ||
| France | |||
| Italy | |||
| Rest of Europe | |||
| Asia- Pacific | China | ||
| India | |||
| Singapore | |||
| Thailand | |||
| Rest of Asia- Pacific | |||
| Middle East and Africa | Saudi Arabia | ||
| UAE | |||
| Oman | |||
| Qatar | |||
| Egypt | |||
| Rest of Middle East and Africa | |||
Global Municipal Solid Waste Management Market Research Faqs
How big is the Global Municipal Solid Waste Management Market?
The Global Municipal Solid Waste Management Market size is expected to reach USD 120.05 billion in 2025 and grow at a CAGR of 4.77% to reach USD 151.54 billion by 2030.
What is the current Global Municipal Solid Waste Management Market size?
In 2025, the Global Municipal Solid Waste Management Market size is expected to reach USD 120.05 billion.
Who are the key players in Global Municipal Solid Waste Management Market?
Waste Managemnt Inc., Republic Services, Waste Connections, Clean Harbors and Stericycle are the major companies operating in the Global Municipal Solid Waste Management Market.
Which is the fastest growing region in Global Municipal Solid Waste Management Market?
North America is estimated to grow at the highest CAGR over the forecast period (2025-2030).
Which region has the biggest share in Global Municipal Solid Waste Management Market?
In 2025, the Asia Pacific accounts for the largest market share in Global Municipal Solid Waste Management Market.
What years does this Global Municipal Solid Waste Management Market cover, and what was the market size in 2024?
In 2024, the Global Municipal Solid Waste Management Market size was estimated at USD 114.32 billion. The report covers the Global Municipal Solid Waste Management Market historical market size for years: 2024. The report also forecasts the Global Municipal Solid Waste Management Market size for years: 2025, 2026, 2027, 2028, 2029 and 2030.
Global Municipal Solid Waste Management Industry Report
Statistics for the 2025 Global Municipal Solid Waste Management market share, size and revenue growth rate, created by Mordor Intelligence™ Industry Reports. Global Municipal Solid Waste Management analysis includes a market forecast outlook for 2025 to 2030 and historical overview. Get a sample of this industry analysis as a free report PDF download.
