The volume of waste in the world will continue to grow, warns the UN

The volume of waste in the world, which in 2023 was 2.3 billion tons, could increase by more than 60% in 2050 if urgent measures are not taken and have serious health and economic impacts, warned on Wednesday the UN.

At this rate, current waste (excluding industrial and construction waste) is expected to reach 3.8 billion tonnes by the middle of this century, exceeding forecasts in a previous World Bank report on the issue.

The crisis will be especially acute in countries that use polluting methods to treat waste, such as landfills or open incineration, which result in soil contamination and the emission of greenhouse gases, such as methane, or polluting gases, like black carbon.

“Despite the efforts, little has changed,” indicates the report called “Transforming waste into resources” prepared by the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP).

“Humanity has even gone backwards, generating more waste (…). “There are billions of people who do not have a waste collection system.”indicates the report.

In rich countries the essentials are collected but in low-income countries the collection rate is lower than 40%.

Currently between 400,000 and one million people die each year from diseases related to inadequate waste management, such as diarrhea, malaria, cancer or cardiovascular diseases, highlights UNEP.

The report was published on the occasion of the sixth session of the United Nations Environment Assembly being held this week in Nairobi, the capital of Kenya.

Waste spreads pathogens, heavy metals and other endocrine disruptors into soil and groundwater for a long time, and its combustion outdoors releases persistent pollutants into the atmosphere.

Organic waste decomposing in landfills is believed to be responsible for 20% of human emissions of methane, the most warming of all greenhouse gases.

Opportunities

If no action is taken, the direct and indirect cost of waste in the world should almost double to reach $640 billion annually by 2050, this report estimates.

In 2020, the direct cost of waste treatment was assessed at $252 billion (361,000 if indirect costs related to pollution generated by inadequate facilities or management methods are included).

That is why the UN affirms that there are “urgency” to start “a drastic reduction in waste” and invest in the circular economy.

“Many fast-growing economies are struggling under the increasing weight of waste,” points out the director of UNEP, Inger Andersen, and points out the “key role” of public and private actors that can be found in this sector. “opportunities to create more viable societies.”

If waste is kept “under control”particularly by improving treatment methods, its annual net cost could be limited to US$270 billion by 2050.

But more can be done and move towards a circular economy, with better practices by manufacturers and complete management of residual waste, which could generate a net profit of more than US$100 billion annually, the report indicates.