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.
