GITNUXREPORT 2026

Waste And Recycling Industry Statistics

Rapidly growing waste and recycling industry confronts mounting global waste volumes.

Rajesh Patel

Team Lead & Senior Researcher with over 15 years of experience in market research and data analytics.

First published: Feb 13, 2026

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Statistic 1

Landfilling accounts for 50% of global waste disposal, contributing to 5% of global greenhouse gas emissions from methane.

Statistic 2

Waste-to-energy incineration in Europe processed 109 million tonnes of MSW in 2021, generating 50 TWh of energy.

Statistic 3

Methane emissions from landfills represent 11% of U.S. anthropogenic methane emissions in 2020.

Statistic 4

Recycling one ton of plastic saves 7,200 kWh of energy compared to virgin production.

Statistic 5

Incineration without energy recovery emits 1.5 times more CO2 than landfilling per ton of waste.

Statistic 6

Recycling electronics prevents 1.5 million tons of CO2 emissions annually in the EU.

Statistic 7

Landfill gas capture in the U.S. generated 16 billion kWh of electricity in 2020.

Statistic 8

Bioenergy from waste reduced EU GHG emissions by 34 million tons CO2eq in 2020.

Statistic 9

Ocean plastic pollution from land-based sources is 80% of total marine plastics.

Statistic 10

Recycling PET bottles saves 70% energy compared to virgin PET.

Statistic 11

Landfills leachate contaminates groundwater in 40% of U.S. sites.

Statistic 12

Anaerobic digestion of organic waste produces biogas equivalent to 10% of natural gas use.

Statistic 13

Plastic recycling reduces ocean pollution by preventing 700,000 tons yearly.

Statistic 14

Waste incineration in Japan processes 75% of MSW.

Statistic 15

Recycling glass saves 30% of energy over melting cullet.

Statistic 16

Landfill mining recovers 50-70% of metals from old sites.

Statistic 17

Biodegradable plastics reduce landfill methane by 80%.

Statistic 18

Energy recovery from MSW in EU avoids 100 Mt CO2/year.

Statistic 19

Pyrolysis of tires recovers 45% oil, 35% carbon black.

Statistic 20

Mechanical biological treatment reduces landfill waste by 90%.

Statistic 21

Gasification of MSW achieves 85% volume reduction.

Statistic 22

In 2022, the global waste management market size was valued at USD 1,235.9 billion and is projected to grow to USD 2,337.1 billion by 2030 at a CAGR of 8.2%.

Statistic 23

The U.S. waste recycling industry employed over 757,000 people in 2021, with wages totaling $33 billion.

Statistic 24

U.S. commercial recycling market revenue reached $42 billion in 2022.

Statistic 25

Global waste management services market is expected to grow at 5.2% CAGR from 2023 to 2030.

Statistic 26

The recycling industry contributed $117.4 billion to U.S. GDP in 2021.

Statistic 27

Waste collection costs represent 50-70% of total waste management expenditures globally.

Statistic 28

Global market for recycled plastics was $51.7 billion in 2022.

Statistic 29

Waste management market in North America held 28% global share in 2022.

Statistic 30

U.S. scrap metal recycling industry exported $18 billion worth in 2022.

Statistic 31

Global investment in waste infrastructure needs $1 trillion by 2030.

Statistic 32

Waste-to-energy plants in the U.S. number 75, processing 6% of MSW.

Statistic 33

Recycling creates 10 times more jobs per ton than landfilling.

Statistic 34

U.S. organic waste recycling market valued at $5.2 billion in 2023.

Statistic 35

Global circular economy market projected to reach $4.5 trillion by 2030.

Statistic 36

Waste sorting technology market to grow to $5.8 billion by 2028.

Statistic 37

U.S. composting facilities number over 5,000 in 2023.

Statistic 38

Global RDF market $2.5 billion in 2023.

Statistic 39

Waste analytics software market $1.2 billion by 2027.

Statistic 40

U.S. waste brokers market $10 billion annually.

Statistic 41

Global waste heat recovery market $65 billion by 2026.

Statistic 42

U.S. landfill capacity remaining 20 years average.

Statistic 43

Anaerobic digestion market $4.6 billion globally 2023.

Statistic 44

Recycling rates in the European Union averaged 48.1% for municipal waste in 2021 across 27 member states.

Statistic 45

In 2020, the U.S. recycled and composted 69 million tons of MSW, achieving a 32.1% recycling rate.

Statistic 46

Germany's municipal waste recycling rate was 68.9% in 2021, the highest in the EU.

Statistic 47

U.S. paper and paperboard recycling rate was 68.2% in 2021.

Statistic 48

South Korea's food waste recycling rate reached 95% in 2022 through biogas production.

Statistic 49

Aluminum can recycling rate in the U.S. was 52% in 2021, saving 95% energy vs. primary production.

Statistic 50

Japan's overall recycling rate for MSW was 84% in 2021.

Statistic 51

U.S. glass container recycling rate was 31% in 2021.

Statistic 52

Composting diverted 24.3 million tons of MSW from U.S. landfills in 2018.

Statistic 53

Sweden's MSW recycling and incineration rate was 99.1% in 2021, with <1% landfilled.

Statistic 54

U.S. steel recycling rate was 83% in 2021.

Statistic 55

EU packaging waste recycling rate was 82.5% in 2021.

Statistic 56

France recycled 47% of its MSW in 2021.

Statistic 57

Netherlands MSW recycling rate hit 77% in 2022.

Statistic 58

Austria's MSW recycling rate was 62.3% in 2021.

Statistic 59

Belgium MSW recycling rate 74.5% in 2021.

Statistic 60

Finland MSW recycling 50% in 2021.

Statistic 61

Denmark MSW incineration 54%, recycling 27% in 2021.

Statistic 62

Luxembourg MSW recycling 73% in 2021.

Statistic 63

Ireland MSW recycling 41% in 2021.

Statistic 64

Italy MSW recycling 53% in 2022.

Statistic 65

Norway MSW recycling 44% , incineration 53%.

Statistic 66

Spain MSW recycling 47.8% in 2022.

Statistic 67

The U.S. municipal solid waste (MSW) generation reached 292.4 million tons in 2018, or 4.9 pounds per person per day.

Statistic 68

Globally, 2.01 billion tonnes of municipal solid waste were generated in 2016, expected to increase to 3.40 billion tonnes by 2050.

Statistic 69

Plastic waste generation worldwide reached 353 million tonnes in 2019, with only 9% recycled.

Statistic 70

The global e-waste generation hit 53.6 million metric tons in 2019, with less than 20% formally recycled.

Statistic 71

Food waste accounts for 59% of organic waste globally, totaling 1.3 billion tonnes annually.

Statistic 72

The Asia-Pacific region generated 1.02 billion tonnes of MSW in 2020, over 50% of global total.

Statistic 73

Construction and demolition waste in the EU totaled 192 million tonnes in 2020.

Statistic 74

U.S. hazardous waste generation was 35.2 million tons in 2021.

Statistic 75

Global organic waste generation is projected to rise 44% by 2050 to 3.7 billion tonnes.

Statistic 76

EU urban waste generation per capita was 517 kg in 2021.

Statistic 77

Textile waste in the EU amounted to 6.8 million tonnes in 2020.

Statistic 78

India's municipal solid waste generation was 62 million tonnes in 2023.

Statistic 79

U.S. yard trimmings generation totaled 35.3 million tons in 2018.

Statistic 80

China's MSW generation reached 244 million tonnes in 2022.

Statistic 81

Global medical waste generation from COVID-19 was 15 million tons extra in 2020-2021.

Statistic 82

Per capita MSW generation in low-income countries is 0.4-0.6 kg/day.

Statistic 83

Brazil generated 79 million tons of MSW in 2022.

Statistic 84

E-waste contains 100 times more gold per ton than gold ore.

Statistic 85

Australia's MSW generation per capita was 2.3 kg/day in 2022.

Statistic 86

Food waste in the U.S. totaled 66 million tons in 2019.

Statistic 87

UK household waste generation was 27.2 million tonnes in 2021/22.

Statistic 88

Global tire waste generation is 1 billion units annually.

Statistic 89

Canada's MSW recycling rate was 27% in 2019.

Statistic 90

Global battery waste from EVs projected at 2 million tons by 2030.

Statistic 91

Mexico's MSW generation was 46.7 million tons in 2022.

Statistic 92

Agricultural waste globally totals 1.6 billion tonnes annually.

Statistic 93

Saudi Arabia's MSW generation per capita is 1.6 kg/day.

Statistic 94

U.S. MSW metals recycling totaled 18.2 million tons in 2018.

Statistic 95

Turkey generated 32 million tons of MSW in 2022.

Statistic 96

Global WEEE (e-waste) formal collection rate is 22.3%.

Statistic 97

Egypt's MSW generation 21 million tons/year.

Statistic 98

Industrial waste in EU 2.9 billion tonnes in 2020.

Statistic 99

South Africa's MSW 122 million tons cumulatively 2019-2024.

Statistic 100

Packaging waste in U.S. 80 million tons/year.

Statistic 101

UAE MSW generation 7.9 million tons in 2022.

Statistic 102

Global construction waste 2.01 billion tonnes/year.

Statistic 103

Indonesia MSW 69 million tons in 2023.

Statistic 104

Oil and gas waste U.S. 5.5 billion barrels/year.

Statistic 105

Nigeria MSW 32 million tons/year.

Statistic 106

Rubber waste global 17 million tons/year.

Statistic 107

Thailand MSW 27 million tons in 2022.

Statistic 108

Mining waste EU 1.8 billion tonnes/year.

Statistic 109

Philippines MSW 40 million tons cumulative 2020-2025.

Statistic 110

Global sewage sludge 110 million tons dry weight/year.

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While the world is projected to generate a staggering 3.4 billion tonnes of trash annually by 2050, the evolving waste and recycling industry is turning this monumental challenge into a story of economic opportunity, environmental innovation, and critical global action.

Key Takeaways

In 2022, the global waste management market size was valued at USD 1,235.9 billion and is projected to grow to USD 2,337.1 billion by 2030 at a CAGR of 8.2%.
The U.S. waste recycling industry employed over 757,000 people in 2021, with wages totaling $33 billion.
U.S. commercial recycling market revenue reached $42 billion in 2022.
The U.S. municipal solid waste (MSW) generation reached 292.4 million tons in 2018, or 4.9 pounds per person per day.
Globally, 2.01 billion tonnes of municipal solid waste were generated in 2016, expected to increase to 3.40 billion tonnes by 2050.
Plastic waste generation worldwide reached 353 million tonnes in 2019, with only 9% recycled.
Recycling rates in the European Union averaged 48.1% for municipal waste in 2021 across 27 member states.
In 2020, the U.S. recycled and composted 69 million tons of MSW, achieving a 32.1% recycling rate.
Germany's municipal waste recycling rate was 68.9% in 2021, the highest in the EU.
Landfilling accounts for 50% of global waste disposal, contributing to 5% of global greenhouse gas emissions from methane.
Waste-to-energy incineration in Europe processed 109 million tonnes of MSW in 2021, generating 50 TWh of energy.
Methane emissions from landfills represent 11% of U.S. anthropogenic methane emissions in 2020.

Rapidly growing waste and recycling industry confronts mounting global waste volumes.

Environmental Impacts

Landfilling accounts for 50% of global waste disposal, contributing to 5% of global greenhouse gas emissions from methane.
Waste-to-energy incineration in Europe processed 109 million tonnes of MSW in 2021, generating 50 TWh of energy.
Methane emissions from landfills represent 11% of U.S. anthropogenic methane emissions in 2020.
Recycling one ton of plastic saves 7,200 kWh of energy compared to virgin production.
Incineration without energy recovery emits 1.5 times more CO2 than landfilling per ton of waste.
Recycling electronics prevents 1.5 million tons of CO2 emissions annually in the EU.
Landfill gas capture in the U.S. generated 16 billion kWh of electricity in 2020.
Bioenergy from waste reduced EU GHG emissions by 34 million tons CO2eq in 2020.
Ocean plastic pollution from land-based sources is 80% of total marine plastics.
Recycling PET bottles saves 70% energy compared to virgin PET.
Landfills leachate contaminates groundwater in 40% of U.S. sites.
Anaerobic digestion of organic waste produces biogas equivalent to 10% of natural gas use.
Plastic recycling reduces ocean pollution by preventing 700,000 tons yearly.
Waste incineration in Japan processes 75% of MSW.
Recycling glass saves 30% of energy over melting cullet.
Landfill mining recovers 50-70% of metals from old sites.
Biodegradable plastics reduce landfill methane by 80%.
Energy recovery from MSW in EU avoids 100 Mt CO2/year.
Pyrolysis of tires recovers 45% oil, 35% carbon black.
Mechanical biological treatment reduces landfill waste by 90%.
Gasification of MSW achieves 85% volume reduction.

Environmental Impacts Interpretation

While we're impressively turning yesterday's trash into today's energy, our global addiction to landfilling remains a methane-belching behemoth that's poisoning the planet and squandering resources we desperately need to reclaim.

Market and Economic Data

In 2022, the global waste management market size was valued at USD 1,235.9 billion and is projected to grow to USD 2,337.1 billion by 2030 at a CAGR of 8.2%.
The U.S. waste recycling industry employed over 757,000 people in 2021, with wages totaling $33 billion.
U.S. commercial recycling market revenue reached $42 billion in 2022.
Global waste management services market is expected to grow at 5.2% CAGR from 2023 to 2030.
The recycling industry contributed $117.4 billion to U.S. GDP in 2021.
Waste collection costs represent 50-70% of total waste management expenditures globally.
Global market for recycled plastics was $51.7 billion in 2022.
Waste management market in North America held 28% global share in 2022.
U.S. scrap metal recycling industry exported $18 billion worth in 2022.
Global investment in waste infrastructure needs $1 trillion by 2030.
Waste-to-energy plants in the U.S. number 75, processing 6% of MSW.
Recycling creates 10 times more jobs per ton than landfilling.
U.S. organic waste recycling market valued at $5.2 billion in 2023.
Global circular economy market projected to reach $4.5 trillion by 2030.
Waste sorting technology market to grow to $5.8 billion by 2028.
U.S. composting facilities number over 5,000 in 2023.
Global RDF market $2.5 billion in 2023.
Waste analytics software market $1.2 billion by 2027.
U.S. waste brokers market $10 billion annually.
Global waste heat recovery market $65 billion by 2026.
U.S. landfill capacity remaining 20 years average.
Anaerobic digestion market $4.6 billion globally 2023.

Market and Economic Data Interpretation

Despite the staggering price tag on our planet's growing pile of refuse—projected to hit a $2.3 trillion industry—the real story is a silver (and plastic and scrap metal) lining, where recycling alone fuels a $117 billion U.S. GDP contribution and creates ten times the jobs of landfilling, proving that one person's trash is quite literally another's trillion-dollar treasure.

Recycling Rates

Recycling rates in the European Union averaged 48.1% for municipal waste in 2021 across 27 member states.
In 2020, the U.S. recycled and composted 69 million tons of MSW, achieving a 32.1% recycling rate.
Germany's municipal waste recycling rate was 68.9% in 2021, the highest in the EU.
U.S. paper and paperboard recycling rate was 68.2% in 2021.
South Korea's food waste recycling rate reached 95% in 2022 through biogas production.
Aluminum can recycling rate in the U.S. was 52% in 2021, saving 95% energy vs. primary production.
Japan's overall recycling rate for MSW was 84% in 2021.
U.S. glass container recycling rate was 31% in 2021.
Composting diverted 24.3 million tons of MSW from U.S. landfills in 2018.
Sweden's MSW recycling and incineration rate was 99.1% in 2021, with <1% landfilled.
U.S. steel recycling rate was 83% in 2021.
EU packaging waste recycling rate was 82.5% in 2021.
France recycled 47% of its MSW in 2021.
Netherlands MSW recycling rate hit 77% in 2022.
Austria's MSW recycling rate was 62.3% in 2021.
Belgium MSW recycling rate 74.5% in 2021.
Finland MSW recycling 50% in 2021.
Denmark MSW incineration 54%, recycling 27% in 2021.
Luxembourg MSW recycling 73% in 2021.
Ireland MSW recycling 41% in 2021.
Italy MSW recycling 53% in 2022.
Norway MSW recycling 44% , incineration 53%.
Spain MSW recycling 47.8% in 2022.

Recycling Rates Interpretation

While Europe showcases a masterclass in municipal and packaging waste diversion, with Germany leading the pack and Sweden virtually banishing landfills, the U.S. presents a more granular portrait of commendable material-specific prowess—like steel and paper—juxtaposed with significant systemic gaps, reminding us that the path to a circular economy is paved with both impressive benchmarks and stubbornly low-hanging fruit.

Waste Generation

The U.S. municipal solid waste (MSW) generation reached 292.4 million tons in 2018, or 4.9 pounds per person per day.
Globally, 2.01 billion tonnes of municipal solid waste were generated in 2016, expected to increase to 3.40 billion tonnes by 2050.
Plastic waste generation worldwide reached 353 million tonnes in 2019, with only 9% recycled.
The global e-waste generation hit 53.6 million metric tons in 2019, with less than 20% formally recycled.
Food waste accounts for 59% of organic waste globally, totaling 1.3 billion tonnes annually.
The Asia-Pacific region generated 1.02 billion tonnes of MSW in 2020, over 50% of global total.
Construction and demolition waste in the EU totaled 192 million tonnes in 2020.
U.S. hazardous waste generation was 35.2 million tons in 2021.
Global organic waste generation is projected to rise 44% by 2050 to 3.7 billion tonnes.
EU urban waste generation per capita was 517 kg in 2021.
Textile waste in the EU amounted to 6.8 million tonnes in 2020.
India's municipal solid waste generation was 62 million tonnes in 2023.
U.S. yard trimmings generation totaled 35.3 million tons in 2018.
China's MSW generation reached 244 million tonnes in 2022.
Global medical waste generation from COVID-19 was 15 million tons extra in 2020-2021.
Per capita MSW generation in low-income countries is 0.4-0.6 kg/day.
Brazil generated 79 million tons of MSW in 2022.
E-waste contains 100 times more gold per ton than gold ore.
Australia's MSW generation per capita was 2.3 kg/day in 2022.
Food waste in the U.S. totaled 66 million tons in 2019.
UK household waste generation was 27.2 million tonnes in 2021/22.
Global tire waste generation is 1 billion units annually.
Canada's MSW recycling rate was 27% in 2019.
Global battery waste from EVs projected at 2 million tons by 2030.
Mexico's MSW generation was 46.7 million tons in 2022.
Agricultural waste globally totals 1.6 billion tonnes annually.
Saudi Arabia's MSW generation per capita is 1.6 kg/day.
U.S. MSW metals recycling totaled 18.2 million tons in 2018.
Turkey generated 32 million tons of MSW in 2022.
Global WEEE (e-waste) formal collection rate is 22.3%.
Egypt's MSW generation 21 million tons/year.
Industrial waste in EU 2.9 billion tonnes in 2020.
South Africa's MSW 122 million tons cumulatively 2019-2024.
Packaging waste in U.S. 80 million tons/year.
UAE MSW generation 7.9 million tons in 2022.
Global construction waste 2.01 billion tonnes/year.
Indonesia MSW 69 million tons in 2023.
Oil and gas waste U.S. 5.5 billion barrels/year.
Nigeria MSW 32 million tons/year.
Rubber waste global 17 million tons/year.
Thailand MSW 27 million tons in 2022.
Mining waste EU 1.8 billion tonnes/year.
Philippines MSW 40 million tons cumulative 2020-2025.
Global sewage sludge 110 million tons dry weight/year.