Context:  Global Waste Management Outlook 2024, published by UNEP and ISWA (International Solid Waste Association), assesses global waste management trends and costs.

• The "Global Waste Management Outlook 2024" was recently unveiled at the UNEA-6 (6th United Nations Environmental Assembly) at the UNEP (UN Environment Programme) headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya.

About the report

• It highlights key findings and predictions about global waste management, jointly published by the UNEP and ISWA.

Key highlights

• A global average waste collection rate of 75%, with 540 million tonnes of municipal waste uncollected annually, representing 27% of total waste.

• Over 2.7 billion people, primarily in the Global South and developing regions, lack adequate waste collection services, leading to a global direct cost of waste management of $252 billion in 2020, which escalates to $361 billion when the hidden costs associated with pollution, health, and climate change are included.

• The report predicts waste generation will increase from 2.3 billion tonnes in 2023 to 3.8 billion tonnes by 2050, posing significant management challenges.

• Without intervention, the direct cost of waste management could soar to $640.3 billion by 2050, but adopting a circular economy model could result in a net gain of $108.5 billion annually.

Key Recommendations

UNEP: Redefine waste as a resource

• By adopting circular economy models, which decouple waste generation from economic growth, there’s potential for a net gain of over USD 108 billion annually by 2050

• Utilize data and digitalization to enhance the waste management value chain.

Replicate and scale up zero waste

• Implement producer responsibility fees to prioritize waste reduction and prevent greenwashing.

• Utilize behavioural science to engage people in waste reduction efforts.

• Harness the expertise of informal waste workers and recognize the influence of women in waste management.

Government initiatives for waste management

• The Solid Waste Management (SWM) Rules 2016, Plastic Waste Management (PWM) Rules 2016, and the E-waste (Management) Rules 2016.

• The Swachh Bharat Abhiyan aims to eliminate open defecation and improve waste management, while the Waste to Wealth Mission seeks to convert waste into energy, recycle materials, and extract valuable resources.

• The Swaccha Survekshan, the world's largest urban sanitation survey, and the Swachhata Hi Seva (SHS) campaign emphasize the importance of cleanliness and sanitation.

Importance of Waste-to-energy (WtE)

• WtE refers to a group of technologies that convert non-recyclable waste into usable forms of energy, primarily electricity and heat. This is often done through direct combustion using waste incinerators i.e. burning the waste or the production of a combustible fuel from a gas such as methane.

WtE plants play a vital role

• Energy generation: Waste-to-energy (WtE) plants contribute to electricity generation by harnessing the calorific value of solid waste. Eg: India has a total installed capacity of over 554MW from WtE plants.

• Waste reduction: WtE helps in reducing the volume of solid waste, minimizing the burden on landfills and improving overall waste management. Eg: Incineration reduces the volume of waste by up to 90%, aiding in efficient disposal.

• Remote and rural energy solution: WtE plants can play a crucial role in addressing energy deficits in remote and rural areas. They can produce electricity from waste generated locally, reducing reliance on centralized grids and expensive diesel generators. Eg.: Biogas plants at the village level supported by the National Biogas programme.

• Resource utilization: WtE facilities recover valuable resources from waste, such as metals and certain chemicals, promoting resource conservation.

• Environmental benefits: Properly managed WtE can contribute to reducing methane emissions from landfills, thereby mitigating greenhouse gas effects.

Conclusion

• The key to sustainable waste management lies in a holistic approach. Prioritizing source reduction and waste minimization through awareness campaigns and responsible consumption patterns should be paramount which is also an emphasis under SDG Goal-12.