Tendencies explored by the World Waste Index 2025 embody the continuing transfer away from landfill (in most locations), the expansion in waste-to-energy incineration in some locations, and the affect on waste figures of adopting Deposit Return Schemes. The index, compiled by waste administration expertise agency Sensoneo, and final revealed in 2022, affords a snapshot of the leaders and laggards within the sector throughout 38 OECD member international locations, and what they’re doing with their waste.
The 2022 version was marked notably by the affect of COVID-19 measures, akin to methods struggling to manage and mountains of latest waste like masks and take a look at kits. Extensively reported recycling figures – notably for plastics – had been proven to be deceptive.
The 2025 replace profiles a world moulded to a better diploma by inflation and battle, and the related uncertainty. Knowledge included within the index concentrate on waste era, recycling, incineration, and landfilling (all measured as mass in kg per inhabitant per yr).
The most important polluters
Israel has emerged because the nation with the very best per capita waste era, producing as much as 650 kg of municipal waste per individual yearly. Of this quantity, 524 kg is landfilled, 80% of the nation’s whole waste – the very best landfill share amongst all analyzed nations. Chile and the US proceed to rank among the many world’s most vital waste polluters, simply as they did from 2019 to 2022.
The highest performers, then again – these coping with waste in probably the most accountable and profitable method – included two Asian international locations. Japan jumped to first place from seventh in 2022, seemingly because of low charges of waste era and landfilling. South Korea arrived in second place with the very best recycling price amongst all nations – 54%. Estonia made a shock entry to the highest three, in Sensoneo’s evaluation, with virtually no waste despatched to landfill. Constructive rankings had been additionally achieved by Scandinavian international locations akin to Sweden and Finland, in addition to by DACH area international locations, Germany and Austria.
As in 2022, the nation producing probably the most municipal stable waste is the US, which has truly hiked its output from 811 kg to 951 kg per capita. Each Canada and the US rank on the backside when it comes to waste administration, with alarming charges of landfill disposal.
The US sends 447 kg of its 951 kg of waste per capita to landfill, whereas in Canada the proportion is even greater: 486 kg out of 684 kg of all generated waste leads to landfills.
The way it’s modified since 2022
The Index identifies a variety of shifts: Belgium and Austria recorded the biggest will increase in per capita waste era, each rising by greater than 200 kg over the noticed interval. Austria, regardless of this noticeable progress, achieved the very best enhance in recycling – reaching a complete of 334 kg per capita, which represents 42% of its generated waste, even earlier than the introduction of a nationwide deposit return scheme.
New Zealand achieved a exceptional discount in landfilling over the previous few years, lowering the quantity of waste despatched to landfill by 423 kg per capita per yr. This progress displays a transparent shift away from landfill. On the similar time, Belgium and Lithuania has elevated their use of waste-to-energy incineration by over 100 kg per individual inside just a few years. Hungary, the US, and Israel recorded a notable rise in landfilling charges.
DRS has a optimistic affect
Nicely-designed and effectively functioning Deposit Return Schemes (DRS) might considerably enhance recycling charges of secondary uncooked supplies from the non-alcoholic beverage sector. When trying on the GWI rating, it turns into clear that international locations with established DRS rank among the many highest in total waste administration efficiency. Nations akin to Estonia, Germany, Finland, Sweden, and Norway persistently obtain high scores. On the opposite finish of the spectrum are international locations like Turkey, Chile, Greece, and Mexico, the place no DRS is at the moment in place.
The pattern of implementing such a round economic system system is on the rise. Because the 2022 version of GWI, new international locations from the rating have launched Deposit Refund Programs: Romania in 2023, Eire and Hungary in 2024, and Austria in 2025. All of those international locations are utilizing an IT system for DRS powered by Sensoneo. On this method, we will assume that international locations with lively Deposit Refund Programs additionally undertake a extra sustainable and environmentally pleasant stance towards different waste administration practices, akin to incineration or landfilling. Extra attention-grabbing insights and information on the affect of DRS on assortment charges of PET bottles and total waste administration practices are explored within the full article on our web site.
Incineration vs landfill
Incineration has emerged as a viable and environment friendly waste administration methodology, notably for supplies that can’t be simply recycled. This course of entails the managed burning of waste at excessive temperatures, considerably lowering waste quantity by as much as 90% minimizing the necessity for landfills. One of many key advantages of this methodology is power restoration: fashionable waste-to-energy crops convert the warmth generated throughout incineration into electrical energy or district heating, offering a renewable power supply for hundreds of properties and companies. A lot of as we speak’s incineration applied sciences are outfitted with superior filtration methods that restrict dangerous emissions, making the method cleaner and safer than prior to now.
Nineteen of the 38 international locations within the report incinerate greater than they landfill. On the opposite finish of the waste administration strategy are international locations the place greater than 50% of waste leads to landfills, which is especially alarming. These embody Israel, Canada, Greece, Chile, Turkey, Costa Rica, Colombia, Hungary, Portugal, Mexico, and Australia.
On this yr’s Index, Sensoneo has added some caveats on the subject of deciphering the figures, stating that “the World Waste Index serves as an indicator of the world’s largest waste producers”. The assertion continues: “A very good rating within the index doesn’t essentially imply {that a} nation’s waste administration practices are optimum or don’t require enchancment. The overarching objective have to be to generate as little waste as potential. That’s the reason, on this yr’s index, we’ve got adjusted the weighting of the elements and inserting better significance on smaller waste era and better recycling charges.”
