
Study Period | 2020 - 2030 |
Market Size (2025) | USD 523.53 Billion |
Market Size (2030) | USD 653.98 Billion |
CAGR (2025 - 2030) | 4.55 % |
Fastest Growing Market | Asia Pacific |
Largest Market | North America |
Market Concentration | Medium |
Major Players![]() *Disclaimer: Major Players sorted in no particular order |
Waste Management Market Analysis
The Global Waste Management Market size is estimated at USD 523.53 billion in 2025, and is expected to reach USD 653.98 billion by 2030, at a CAGR of greater than 4.55% during the forecast period (2025-2030).
Several key factors have led to the growth of the waste management market. First, the volume of waste produced has increased, and an effective waste management system is needed to cope with growing urbanization and population growth. The increased production of solid waste is due to the increase in consumption patterns and urban lifestyles, which makes it necessary to find innovative solutions for its efficient management.
Second, there has been an increased demand for good waste management practices due to growing awareness about the need to protect the environment and sustainability. Consumers, industry, and governments recognize the importance of reducing waste and adopting recycling and circular economy approaches to reduce their environmental footprint.
Over 2 billion tonnes of municipal solid waste are produced worldwide every year, and this figure is projected to grow by approximately 70 % until 2050. Over 10,000 tonnes of waste per day were transported to the world's most giant landfills in 2022. In addition, especially in emerging countries, waste is frequently dumped at dangerous closed landfills. There is still much room for improvement and development, given that recycling rates vary widely from country to country.
Furthermore, the development of chemical, oil & gas, automotive, and medical sectors that produce vast amounts of waste and cause pollution is due to increased industrial production in developing countries like India, China or Taiwan.
Waste Management Market Trends
E-waste segment holds the largest share
Development, introduction, growth, maturation, and disposal or recycling are all parts of the everyday life cycle of an electronic product. When an electronic product reaches the recycling stage, it may be because of the end of its useful life, technological advancements, or shifting market demands. New electronic devices and improved models of already-existing products, such as laptops, mobile phones, and televisions, are produced as a result of the rapid improvements in technology.
Iron, copper, tin, and aluminum are the primary metals in e-waste, accounting for more than 90 % of its weight. But the metals with the highest value are palladium, over an estimated USD 1.5 billion in e-waste produced annually in Minnesota; platinum, over an estimated USD 1 billion; copper, and tin, over an estimated USD 100 million each.
When measured per capita, Europeans (16.2 Kg) produce the most e-waste per person, followed by Oceania (16.1 Kg) and the Americas (13.3 Kg). African residents have the least amount of e-waste per capita.
India is now the world's third largest electronic waste producer after the US and China, with steadily increasing volume growth. In India, computer equipment represents nearly 70% of e-waste, followed by cell phones at 12%, electric appliances at 8%, and healthcare devices at 7%.
Globally, less than 1 % of waste is recycled, although this varies from region to region. It is known that only 17.4% of total global e-waste is collected and properly recycled. The rate of collection and recycling in Europe is by far the highest in the world at 42.5%. In second place, Asia had a rate of 11.7%. At just 0.9%, Africa is the lowest in the world.
Due to the increasing adoption of Advanced Electronic and Electrical Devices, which drive demand for replacing obsolete devices with new ones, North America and Asia accounted for approximately 24.9 million tonnes of e-waste.

Asia Pacific Emerged as the Most Significant Global Waste Management Market
Awareness about waste management is projected to increase due to government initiatives like the Swacch Bharat Abhiyan and the zero waste plans adopted by various Asia Pacific nations. This will have a favorable effect on expanding the market in the Asia Pacific.
China accounted for 32 percent of global plastic materials production in 2022, making it the world's largest producer. Other Asian countries were also significant plastic manufacturers, with Japan’s production amounting to 3% of the global plastic production and the rest of Asia producing 17% of the world’s plastic.
Rapid industrialization in major emerging economies in the region and stringent government regulations towards environmental protection are expected to boost the growth of the Asia-Pacific waste management market. The amended Waste Disposal and Cleaning Law of Japan requires company owners to record the location and other waste data when such items are stored outside of the business sites that generate them. The amendment also holds the original building contractors accountable for proper waste disposal.
In 2022, for example, the United Nations Environment Assembly endorsed a resolution to end plastic pollution and agreed to implement an international, legally binding agreement by the end of 2024. The Ellen MacArthur Foundation’s Global Commitment has signatories accounting for more than 20% of the plastic packaging market, including companies such as The Coca-Cola Company and PepsiCo, who have set ambitious 2025 targets to reduce plastic waste and progress the move to a circular economy.
China announced its five-year action plan for reducing plastic pollution in 2021, including bans on non-degradable plastic bags in supermarkets and shopping malls, major cities, and food delivery services. Japan enacted its Plastic Resource Circulation Act in 2022, following the founding of the Japan Partnership for Circular Economy (J4CE) the year before “for the purpose of strengthening public and private partnerships, with the aim of further fostering understanding of the circular economy among a wide range of stakeholders.”

Waste Management Industry Overview
The global waste management market is highly competitive, with many players focused on innovative technologies to recycle and reuse the waste generated across various industries and households across the globe. There are also several startups coming up in the industry that are continuously focusing on waste reduction following the Zero Waste - 3R (Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle) philosophy.
Waste Management Market Leaders
-
Clean Harbors
-
Biffa
-
Covanta Energy
-
Daiseki Co., Ltd.
-
Hitachi Zosen Corporation
- *Disclaimer: Major Players sorted in no particular order

Waste Management Market News
- December 2023: Mahindra Last Mile Mobility Ltd (MLMML) has partnered with lithium-ion battery recycling and e-waste management firm Attero. The strategic collaboration, focused on effective EV battery recycling, represents a proactive effort to tackle the environmental concerns linked to safe electric vehicle battery disposal.
- April 2023: Covanta, a leader in sustainable materials management, announced it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Circon Holdings, Inc. (“Circon”), a portfolio company of Kinderhook Industries (“Kinderhook”), putting into motion the company’s most transformative acquisition in its history. The addition of Circon, subject to customary regulatory approvals, marks Covanta's most significant single acquisition in two decades, bringing more than 600 new employees and 2,500 customers.
- May 2023: U.S. private equity group KKR & Co Inc. and Australia's Macquarie Asset Management are among potential bidders for the waste and recycling management arm of Singapore's energy group Sembcorp in a deal that could value the unit at around USD 500 million.
Waste Management Industry Segmentation
The Waste Management (or waste disposal) market includes the activities and actions required to manage waste from its inception to its final disposal. This consists of the collection, transport, treatment, and disposal of waste and monitoring and regulation of the waste management process.
The global waste management report offers a complete background analysis of the Global waste management market, which includes an assessment of the economy and contribution of sectors in the economy, market overview, market size estimation for key segments, and emerging trends in the market segments, market dynamics is covered in the report. The report also covers the impact of COVID-19 on the market.
The global waste management report is segmented by waste type (industrial waste, municipal solid waste, hazardous waste, e-waste, plastic waste, bio-medical waste, and other waste types), by disposal methods (landfills, incineration, and recycling), and by geography (North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Middle East and Africa, and Latin America). For each segment, the market sizing and forecasts have been done based on volume (tons) and value (USD).
By Waste type | Industrial waste | ||
Municipal solid waste | |||
E-waste | |||
Plastic waste | |||
Biomedical and Other Waste Types | |||
By Disposal methods | Landfill | ||
Incineration | |||
Recycling | |||
Geography | North America | United States | |
Canada | |||
Mexico | |||
Europe | United Kingdom | ||
Germany | |||
France | |||
Russia | |||
Rest of Europe | |||
Asia-Pacific | China | ||
Japan | |||
India | |||
South Korea | |||
Rest of Asia-Pacific | |||
Middle East & Africa | South Africa | ||
Saudi Arabia | |||
Qatar | |||
Rest of Middle East and Africa | |||
Latin America | Brazil | ||
Argentina | |||
Rest of Latin America |
Global Waste Management Market Research Faqs
How big is the Global Waste Management Market?
The Global Waste Management Market size is expected to reach USD 523.53 billion in 2025 and grow at a CAGR of greater than 4.55% to reach USD 653.98 billion by 2030.
What is the current Global Waste Management Market size?
In 2025, the Global Waste Management Market size is expected to reach USD 523.53 billion.
Who are the key players in Global Waste Management Market?
Clean Harbors, Biffa, Covanta Energy, Daiseki Co., Ltd. and Hitachi Zosen Corporation are the major companies operating in the Global Waste Management Market.
Which is the fastest growing region in Global Waste Management Market?
Asia Pacific is estimated to grow at the highest CAGR over the forecast period (2025-2030).
Which region has the biggest share in Global Waste Management Market?
In 2025, the North America accounts for the largest market share in Global Waste Management Market.
What years does this Global Waste Management Market cover, and what was the market size in 2024?
In 2024, the Global Waste Management Market size was estimated at USD 499.71 billion. The report covers the Global Waste Management Market historical market size for years: 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024. The report also forecasts the Global Waste Management Market size for years: 2025, 2026, 2027, 2028, 2029 and 2030.
Our Best Selling Reports
Global Waste Management Industry Report
The global solar photovoltaic (PV) market is witnessing substantial growth, driven by technological advancements and broadening adoption across various sectors. The market segmentation includes components, materials, cell types, installation types, and applications, serving a wide range of needs from residential to utility-scale projects. Innovations such as perovskite solar cells, tandem solar cells, and bifacial solar panels are enhancing the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of solar solutions. Additionally, the integration of advanced manufacturing techniques and AI is optimizing solar installations.
Despite challenges like high initial costs and the demand for skilled installation personnel, supportive government policies and incentives are propelling robust market growth. The Asia Pacific region is expected to experience rapid growth due to strong governmental support and the presence of key market players, highlighting its potential for future developments in the photovoltaic industry. Key segments such as solar PV panels are gaining popularity, underscoring the dynamic nature of the industry.
The industry report covers detailed market analysis, including market data, market segmentation, and market trends. It provides an industry outlook with insights into industry statistics, industry size, and industry growth rate. The market forecast and market predictions offer a comprehensive overview of market growth and market value, helping stakeholders understand the market dynamics. The report also includes industry research and industry information, making it a valuable resource for research companies and market leaders.
For those interested in a deeper dive, the report example and report PDF are available for download, offering extensive industry analysis and market review. The market overview and market outlook sections provide a clear picture of the current state and future potential of the solar photovoltaic market. With market leaders driving innovation and growth, the industry trends and industry sales data reflect the evolving landscape of this rapidly expanding market.