French Solid Waste Partnership

What a Waste 3.0

Lucia Lopez — 2026-03-24T13:53:02Z

Published by the World Bank Group, What a Waste 3.0 is the third edition of a global series dedicated to municipal solid waste management at the global level.

Building on the 2012 and 2018 editions, this report provides an updated and expanded analysis based on the most recent publicly available data, covering 217 countries and economies and 262 cities. It compiles structured information on waste generation, composition, collection, treatment, and disposal, as well as on regulatory frameworks, institutional arrangements, costs, and financing mechanisms.

Designed as a technical reference, the publication aims to provide a comprehensive global dataset to support analysis, planning, and benchmarking of waste management systems. It does not put forward policy recommendations, but instead makes data widely accessible to support evidence-based decision-making and informed dialogue across the sector.

Against the backdrop of rising waste volumes, increasing environmental pressures, and persistent service gaps, What a Waste 3.0 highlights the scale and urgency of the global challenge. By making this information available at a global level, the report contributes to establishing a common foundation for action and supports the transition toward more efficient and circular systems.

This resource is intended for national and local governments, development institutions, researchers, private sector actors, and practitioners working in waste management, the circular economy, and urban development.

Read the publication

Waste Wise Cities Tool

Lucia Lopez — 2026-03-23T15:43:21Z

Developed as part of the Waste Wise Cities initiative, the Waste Wise Cities Tool (WaCT) is an operational guide designed to help local governments assess the performance of their municipal waste management systems.

Aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) indicators, this tool enables the measurement of:

Municipal solid waste management (SDG 11.6.1),
Food waste generation (SDG 12.3.1),
As well as resource recovery systems (SDG 12.5.1).

The guide proposes a seven-step methodology for collecting and analyzing reliable data on waste generation, collection, and treatment. It also includes practical tools, such as household surveys, questionnaires on resource recovery chains, and criteria for assessing the environmental conditions of waste management.

Recognizing the diversity of local contexts, WaCT offers an approach tailored to the different levels of development of urban systems and aims to support the continuous improvement of environmental performance.

This resource is intended for local governments, public decision-makers, and all stakeholders seeking a solid foundation to improve waste management and move toward more sustainable and efficient systems.

Waste Management in the Middle East and North Africa

Pauline — 2026-02-18T14:12:33Z

Countries in the MENA region are experiencing increasing strain as a result of rapid population growth, accelerated urban expansion, and higher consumption patterns. According to the World Bank report “Waste Management in the Middle East and North Africa,” the region currently produces more than 155 million tons of waste annually, and this amount is expected to nearly double, reaching approximately 294 million tons by 2050.

The World Bank, as an international financial institution supporting sustainable development worldwide, works closely with governments to strengthen public services, infrastructure, and governance.
This report, published in January 2026, provides an in-depth analysis of waste management systems across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. It examines current practices, institutional and financial frameworks, and key challenges affecting the waste management.
The publication highlights the economic, environmental and public health implications of current waste management practices. It also proposes improvements of waste management practices to avoid the costs associated with poor management while realizing efficiency gains and seizing circular economy opportunities.
By providing data, regional comparisons and policy recommendations, the report contributes to ongoing international discussions on waste management systems and supports countries in strengthening long-term resilience, protecting the environment, and improving well-being.

Article: Energy recovery from waste

Lucia Lopez — 2026-01-14T10:22:58Z

The leading scientific journal “Les Annales des Mines”, which analyzes major issues related to sustainable development, energy, and industrial transformation, published its 121st issue in the “Responsibility & Environment” series in January 2026, coordinated by Catherine Chevauché, a member of the PFD representing Veolia.

This issue, “The circular economy: illustrations and practices" currently available only in french, offers an in-depth and multifaceted exploration of the circular economy. The dossier highlights the challenges of governance, economic models, and planning, as well as their operational implementation at different levels—national, regional, and local. Through numerous sector-specific case studies (industry, construction, water, agriculture, waste management, reuse, biomass), it provides concrete examples of how the principles of the circular economy can be translated into practice throughout the life cycle of resources and up to their end-of-life recovery.

In this context, the French Solid Waste Partnership, alongside several of its members, has written an article entitled “Energy recovery from waste” (Responsibility & Environment – “The circular economy: illustrations and practices,” No. 121, January 2026, Paris, Annales des Mines (ISSN 1268-4783), pages 95–99.), co-authored by: Christophe CORD'HOMME (WasteTT), Frédéric GIOUSE (Cabinet Merlin), Paloma GENGOUX and Corinne TROMMSDORFF (French Solid Waste Partnership (FSWP)), Sébastien CUEILLENS (Urbaser Environnement), Giulia BARINA and David AGUDELO-ROMERO (Waga Energy).

Our article

This article analyzes the strategic role of waste-to-energy in the French context, as the penultimate link in the circular economy hierarchy, at the intersection of climate issues and energy sovereignty. It presents the two main energy recovery sectors: waste-to-energy and biogas production, as well as their contribution to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and producing local energy, which is mainly renewable. The discussion is also broadened to an international level, highlighting the diversity of possible trajectories and the importance of coherent territorial and energy planning for the effective and sustainable deployment of these solutions.

This article highlights the opportunities offered by energy recovery for waste management that is both environmentally and health-friendly, but also promotes the circular economy. It also reminds us of the importance of respecting the waste treatment hierarchy, starting with prevention.

Find and download the entire issue of Responsabilité & Environnement n°121 on the Annales des Mines website.

Table of contents of the journal (FR)

Global Waste Management Outlook 2024 for Youth

Lucia Lopez — 2025-12-18T14:41:15Z

The Global Waste Management Outlook for Youth (GWMO for Youth) provides an updated overview of global waste generation and management trends since 2018. The report is jointly developed by UNEP, the Children and Youth Major Group, and ISWA (International Solid Waste Association), building on previous UN resolutions to assess progress and remaining challenges across regions and income levels.

The GWMO for Youth highlights the significant impacts of current waste management practices on public health, ecosystems and economic stability. It underlines that children and young people are among the most affected, as their developing bodies and immune systems are particularly vulnerable to pollution and waste-related toxins.

Using data-driven insights, the report explores how different waste management pathways influence health and environmental outcomes, and demonstrates the benefits of strengthened waste prevention, collection and treatment systems. It emphasises that waste management is a cross-cutting issue that requires coordinated action across sectors.

The report places young people at the heart of the solution, recognising their role as advocates, innovators and future decision-makers. It calls on governments, local authorities, businesses, financial institutions and citizens to work together, while empowering youth to actively shape more sustainable waste and resource management systems.

Throwing away our health - The impacts of solid waste on human health

Pauline — 2025-12-17T09:19:43Z

This document summarizes current knowledge on the links between solid waste and human health, focusing on municipal solid waste. World Health Organization, 2025.

It covers definitions of waste types, management practices and trends, and examines associated hazards, exposure pathways, and affected populations.

The document reviews available epidemiological evidence and highlights research gaps. It underscores the need for sustainable, integrated waste management, stronger governance, and active engagement from the health sector to reduce health risks and inform evidence-based policy and practice.

Position Paper: Waste-to-Energy Facilities

Lucia Lopez — 2025-11-28T12:37:59Z

In the context of ongoing debates on energy recovery from waste, the French Solid Waste Partnership (FSWP) is publishing a position paper on the role of waste-to-energy (WtE) facilities within waste and resource management systems. This document is primarily intended for public decision-makers and international institutions.

This position papers recalls that the primary mission of the public waste management service is control waste streams in order to minimize their impacts on health and the environment, in line with the Basel Convention.

It reiterates the waste treatment hierarchy: first, reducing waste generation; then recovering the material contained in waste; and finally, recovering the energy contained in residual waste.

From this perspective, WtE facilities are presented as the ultimate step in the circular economy, relevant in systems in which waste streams are well known and controlled and when installations are dimensioned in line with materials circularity ambitions.

The paper calls on international institutions to support the established waste treatment hierarchy, to empower local decision-makers with the choice of the most appropriate solutions, while ensuring compliance with Environmentally Sound Management of waste.

Towards Zero Waste: a catalyst for delivering the Sustainable Development Goals

Pauline — 2025-09-24T15:23:40Z

Waste management is a central challenge for sustainable development. The UNEP report “Towards Zero Waste” shows how better waste management can unlock progress across the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

This 2023 report highlights waste management as a critical driver for achieving the SDGs.

It shows how unsustainable resource use and mismanaged waste exacerbate poverty, inequality, health risks, and environmental degradation. It calls for a transition to zero-waste societies through three steps: (1) establishing control over waste, (2) implementing Environmentally Sound Management (ESM), and (3) adopting circular economy approaches.

Case studies from the Global South illustrate how waste reduction, recycling, composting, and energy recovery can generate jobs, improve public health, empower women, protect ecosystems, and mitigate climate change. By prioritizing inclusive and just waste management, countries can simultaneously advance multiple SDGs.

Technical note: EPR in the Plastic Treaty

Pauline — 2025-07-15T13:06:07Z

As negotiations progress toward an international legally binding instrument on plastic pollution, including in the marine environment, many national focal points have called for clear and practical guidance on how to establish Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) systems. In response, the ISWA Working Group on Governance and Legal Issues has developed this technical note — an introductory roadmap outlining key steps and success factors for designing and implementing effective EPR schemes that can fulfil their potential in combating plastic pollution.

Ahead of the Global Plastics Treaty negotiations, policymakers face a singular opportunity to chart a new course for how the world designs, uses, and manages plastic. Today, more than 430 million tonnes of plastic are produced annually, yet less than 10 % is recycled effectively. At least 11 million tonnes of plastics leak into rivers and oceans annually, damaging marine ecosystems and threatening human health. An estimated 9% of the plastics ever produced have been recycled, and 12% have been incinerated. The remainder is either still in use, has been disposed of in landfills, or released into the environment, including the oceans.These figures underscore an urgent need for systemic change across every stage of the plastic lifecycle.

EPR has proven to be a scalable and effective mechanism that shifts part of the responsibility from municipalities to producers, providing funding for the end-of-life management of products, as well as driving eco-design innovation. In this regard, as recycling options or alternatives to plastics are identified, the impacts of these actions should be carefully reviewed to ensure their alignment with the holistic SDG framework. As the paper outlines the ideal EPR framework, lessons learned from existing schemes are accounted for.

Aligned with ISWA's key messages for INC-5.1, particularly Key Message 5 on providing waste management solutions tailored to socio-economic and cultural conditions, this paper provides guidance on the full potential of EPR and its key success factors, as support to the final negotiations of the Global Plastics Treaty. Providing flexibility to account for the specific context is a critical element for the integration of this instrument in the Treaty. For example, in the case of Small Island States, regional EPRs are being explored.

This paper serves as a practical guide for national delegates, providing:

An overview of the EPR in plastic waste management and its potential to drive circularity
A roadmap in 5 steps for setting up EPR schemes.
Policy recommendations on the content of EPR schemes to ensure their role as a cornerstone of the transition to a circular economy for plastics, which goes way beyond focusing on recycling, as outlined in the newly produced ISO Norm 59004 on circular economy.

Atlas on waste management and climate change mitigation

Pauline — 2025-07-08T12:01:35Z

This publication is produced in partnership with the French Development Agency (AFD) and with the support of the International Solid Waste Association (ISWA) working group on Waste Management and Climate Change.

As the next generation of NDCs takes shape ahead of COP30 and ambitions must rise, waste management remains an overlooked yet powerful lever for mitigation.

Produced by the French Solid Waste Partnership (FSWP) with contributions from the French Development Agency (AFD) and the International Solid Waste Association (ISWA), this Atlas demonstrates how improved waste policies and practices can substantially reduce global greenhouse gas emissions.

Drawing on data from 103 AFD countries and their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), the publication assesses the current state of waste management globally and outlines four strategic levers for impactful action: waste prevention, reduce open burning and open dumping to more environmentally sound landfilling and organic waste management, energy recovery, and material recycling.

Aimed at policymakers and climate finance stakeholders, this Atlas serves as an essential resource, calling for greater recognition and integration of sustainable waste management as a cornerstone of effective climate solutions.