French Solid Waste Partnership

Methane Alert and Response System (MARS) Snapshot – Top 50 Emitters, Country Responses and Mitigation

Lucia Lopez — 2026-06-08T10:07:46Z

Methane is one of the most potent greenhouse gases and a significant share of it comes from sources that can be identified, tracked, and mitigated. UNEP's Methane Alert and Response System (MARS) integrates data from more than 30 satellites to alert countries of major methane emissions and enable concrete action.

This April 2026 snapshot provides an updated picture of where the world stands: 41 major methane sources have been confirmed as mitigated following MARS notifications, representing an estimated 1,200,000 tonnes of methane, a climate impact comparable to nearly 24 million gasoline-powered cars driven for one year. Countries that have designated a MARS focal point consistently demonstrate higher response rates and more effective follow-through.

Waste sector landfills appear repeatedly among the world's 50 largest methane emitters — including sites in Chile, India, Angola, Iran, Mexico, Saudi Arabia and Yemen — illustrating the direct and measurable link between unmanaged waste and global methane emissions.

Position Paper on Circular Economy and a 2050 Vision

Lucia Lopez — 2026-06-04T15:13:45Z

Circular economy is not an end in itself. Its ultimate goal is not to “increase recycling” or “close loops”, but to build a future where value creation is decoupled from environmental bads —including resource extraction, and waste generation.

In public debate, circular economy is often reduced to recycling. However, recent international work – in particular the ISO 59004 norm, adopted in 2024, which breaks down the “10R” principle* into 13 actions ordered according to the life cycle – shows that a complete circular economy begins well before recycling and continues well beyond it. Refusing and avoiding some products or uses, rethinking the needs, adapting production through eco-design, reducing resource consumption, reusing, repairing, reconditioning, remanufacturing, repurposing, recycling, recovering energy, and even recovering materials stored in historic landfill sites: these actions form a coherent scale where recycling and energy recovery are at the bottom, once all the levers of reduction, moderation, sustainability, reuse and repair have been activated.

These coordinated actions only make sense when viewed in the context of the three objectives of circular economy: to reduce environmental and health impacts, to maintain an economy that creates value and jobs, and to ensure our societies' resource sovereignty and resilience.

Given the imperative of ecological, economic and social transition, the French Solid Waste Partnership (FSWP) is contributing to international discussions on what a circular economy could ultimately look like in 2050, both in France and around the world.

Read the full Position Paper about Circular Economy and a 2050 Vision.

Global Push Presentation

Lucia Lopez — 2026-05-28T07:58:30Z

Sustainable resources and waste management is a key cross-cutting issue for public health, environmental protection, the fight against climate change, the preservation of biodiversity and the transition to more resilient economies implementing the actions of the circular economy.*

Many international initiatives are already working to achieve the SDGs and to the protection of health and the environment by improving the sustainable management of resources and waste. Nevertheless, their ambitions remain scattered and fragmented. There are many actors involved — national and local authorities, businesses, financial institutions, international organisations, civil society actors, academia — but they do not yet have a common space to structure dialogue, share experiences and collectively examine the necessary transition pathways. The absence of such a common space and of a shared global vision on resources and waste limits the coherence and impact of international actions.

It was in response to this observation that the international “Global Push” initiative emerged, of which the primary objective is to enable local action, developed under the impetus of the FSWP (French Solid Waste Partnership), with several discussion partners: ISWA (International Solid Waste Association), UNEP-IETC (United Nations Environment Programme), the Secretariat of the BRS Conventions (Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm) and UN-Habitat.

To learn more read aou page on the subject here :
Global Push Initiative

*Refer to ISO Standard 59004 for the list of 13 prioritised actions, also available here.

Economie circulaire, Stahel et Lambert, 2025

Corinne — 2026-05-19T12:18:59Z

Fiche de Lecture - Economie circulaire. Les défis à relever pour atteindre une économie de performance.
Publication de Walter R. Stahel et François-Michel Lambert. Ed. Dunod, mars 2025, 272 pages.

Et si la croissance économique ne dépendait plus de la quantité de biens produits et achetés, mais de leur durée de vie allongée, de leur usage intensifié et maximisé ? Dans leur livre « Économie circulaire. Les défis à relever pour atteindre une économie de performance », François-Michel Lambert et Walter R. Stahel, pionnier de la pensée circulaire, nous invitent à repenser notre rapport à la production, à la consommation et à la valeur. Cet ouvrage décrit une économie où performance rime avec durabilité, où chaque acteur – entreprise, citoyen, décideur public – devient partie prenante d'un modèle plus sobre et plus efficace. Ce livre est essentiel pour comprendre les mutations à venir et pour agir dès aujourd'hui pour une économie du XXIᵉ siècle vraiment soutenable. Il offre un nouveau cadre conceptuel, pour appréhender au mieux les enjeux de l'économie circulaire, notamment par les notions de domaines du R et du D et le développement abouti ce que doit être l'économie de performance, concept dont Walter Stahel en est le pionnier (avec Orio Giarini), avec la publication de référence en 1990 Les limites du certain.

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.

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.