Introduction and About

  1. The Global Waste Management Outlook 2024 (GWMO 2024) was co-published by UNEP (UN Environment Programme) and ISWA (International Solid Waste Association).
  2. This report provides a comprehensive look at global waste management trends and costs, with a primary focus on municipal solid waste.
  3. The report also brings attention to the impact of waste pollution on the environment, especially concerning issues like biodiversity loss, the contamination of freshwater sources, and the release of harmful chemicals into the environment.

Why in the News?

  1. The report was launched in February 2024 during the 6th UN Environmental Assembly (UNEA-6) held at UNEP headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya.
  2. The theme for UNEA-6 was "Effective, inclusive and sustainable multilateral actions to tackle the triple planetary crisis: climate change, nature and biodiversity loss, and pollution and waste.”

Environmental Implications of Waste Mismanagement

  1. Waste pollution contributes significantly to biodiversity loss and poses risks to ecosystem integrity.
  2. Land disposed waste can contaminate freshwater sources with pathogens, heavy metals, and hazardous chemicals, posing threats to wildlife and human health.
  3. Open burning of waste releases Unintentional Persistent Organic Pollutants (UPOs), harmful chemicals that spread through the air and food chain, causing health issues like cancer and infertility.

Important Findings

  1. One third of the world's population (around 2.7 billion people) lack access to waste collection services.
  2. Approximately 540 million tonnes of municipal solid waste, representing 27% of the global total, are not collected.
  3. The report predicts a significant increase in global waste generation from 2.3 billion tonnes in 2023 to 3.8 billion tonnes by 2050.

Pathways to Achieve a Circular Economy

  1. The report suggests adopting a circular economy model to decrease waste generation and yield a net gain of $108 billion per year.
  2. Key pathways for progress include the use of data and digitalization, banning problematic materials, engaging citizens in waste avoidance and segregation, and developing national expertise to create effective policies.
  3. Everyone can contribute by practising waste segregation, home composting, and supporting zero waste enterprises.

Innovative Solutions for Waste Management

  1. The report highlights several innovative solutions for waste management, including recycling technologies, robotic waste sorting, biodegradable materials, zero waste strategies, and consumer education.
  2. Waste-to-Energy (WtE) technologies that convert non-recyclable waste into usable forms of energy such as heat and electricity are also emphasised.

Key Takeaways

  1. The GWMO 2024 highlights the global waste management crisis, suggesting a shift towards a circular economy to address the issue.
  2. It underscores the importance of individual action, government policy, and advanced technologies in transforming our current waste management practices.
  3. The report is a significant resource for policymakers, exam aspirants, and everyone interested in understanding the current and future prospects of global waste management.

Conclusion

The GWMO 2024 is an important source of information about global waste generation, its impacts, and potential solutions. It encourages everyone to participate in the journey towards better waste management and the adoption of a more sustainable, circular economy.