Graphics from World Bank
Waste is a major environmental, climate, and economic problem that affects communities around the world. The disposal of waste has a significant impact on the environment, including air, soil, and water quality, as well as natural habitats and biodiversity. Landfills, incinerators, and other waste disposal methods generate harmful greenhouse gases, including methane, which contributes to climate change.
In addition to its environmental impacts, waste also has economic implications. The cost of waste management, including collection, transportation, and disposal, can be substantial. This expense is typically borne by taxpayers or passed on to consumers through higher prices for goods and services. Moreover, wasted resources, including energy, water, and raw materials, are a significant drain on the economy.
The negative impacts of waste are not evenly distributed, and communities around the world are disproportionately affected by waste disposal. Low-income communities are often located near waste disposal facilities, including landfills and incinerators, which emit harmful pollutants and pose health risks. These communities may also lack access to adequate waste management services, leading to the improper disposal of waste, further exacerbating the problem.
To address these issues, individuals, communities, and governments around the world are working to promote waste reduction and Zero Waste initiatives. Zero Waste Day, celebrated annually on March 30th, is a day to raise awareness of waste reduction and highlight the importance of moving towards a zero-waste future. The day emphasises the 5R's of waste reduction: refuse, reduce, reuse, recycle, and rot (compost), as well as promoting sustainable production and consumption practices.
In conclusion, waste is a significant environmental, climate, and economic problem that affects communities worldwide. It is critical to prioritise waste reduction efforts and move towards a Zero Waste future to protect the environment, conserve resources, and promote equitable access to waste management services.
Here are some facts about waste today:
The waste sector is one of three key methane emitting sectors — following agriculture and oil and gas — and is responsible for about 20% of human-driven methane emissions globally.
The world generates 2.01 billion tonnes of municipal solid waste annually, with at least 33 % of that—extremely conservatively—not managed in an environmentally safe manner.
High-income countries, 16% of the population, generate about 34%, or 683 million tonnes of the world’s waste.
Global waste is expected to grow to 3.40 billion tonnes by 2050, more than double population growth over the same period.
Globally, most waste is currently dumped or disposed of in some form of a landfill. Some 37% of waste is disposed of in some form of a landfill, 8% of which is disposed of in sanitary landfills with landfill gas collection systems. Open dumping accounts for about 31% of waste.
Only 9% of the waste is recovered through recycling and composting.
What you can do:
Spread awareness
Vote for environmental action
Tell politicians to act
Tell companies to design responsibly
Volunteer and join clean-up days
Reduce your consumption of new items
Reuse and recycle as much as possible
Avoid single-use items and bring reusables
Reduce your households food waste