Waste generation patterns
Big idea: Global waste generation is increasing rapidly, driven by population growth, urbanisation, and rising consumption. Waste patterns vary significantly between high-income and low-income countries.
Global trends
- 2.01 billion tonnes of municipal solid waste generated globally per year
- Projected to grow 70% by 2050 without intervention
- Waste grows with income: HICs produce ~3x more waste per capita than LICs
- Urbanisation effect: Cities generate more waste than rural areas
- Only 13.5% is currently recycled; 5.5% composted
Waste generation by income level
High-income countries (HICs)
- ~2 kg per person per day
- More packaging, electronics, plastics
- Higher recycling rates
- Better collection infrastructure
Low-income countries (LICs)
- ~0.5 kg per person per day
- More organic waste (food scraps)
- Lower recycling rates
- Poor collection (dumps, burning)
As countries develop, waste composition shifts from mostly organic to more packaging, plastics, and electronics — creating new management challenges.
Exam tip: Questions often show waste data by region or income level. Practice describing differences, trends, and explaining the underlying causes.
Types of waste
Big idea: Waste is categorised by source and hazard level. Different waste types require different management approaches and pose different environmental risks.
By source
- Municipal solid waste (MSW): Household and commercial waste — food, paper, plastics, glass, metals
- Industrial waste: Manufacturing byproducts — chemicals, slag, process residues
- Agricultural waste: Crop residues, animal manure, pesticide containers
- Construction and demolition: Concrete, wood, metals, asphalt
- Mining waste: Tailings, overburden, process chemicals
By hazard level
- Non-hazardous: Most MSW — food scraps, paper, most plastics
- Hazardous: Toxic, flammable, corrosive, or reactive — chemicals, batteries, medical waste
- E-waste: Electronic waste — contains valuable metals AND toxic substances (lead, mercury, cadmium)
- Radioactive: Nuclear waste — requires special long-term storage
- Medical/clinical: Infectious materials, sharps, pharmaceuticals
E-waste spotlight
- Fastest growing waste stream globally (~50 million tonnes/year)
- Contains valuable materials (gold, silver, copper, rare earths)
- Also contains toxic substances (lead, mercury, cadmium, flame retardants)
- Much is exported to LICs where informal recycling causes health hazards
- Only ~20% is formally recycled
Exam tip: E-waste is a favourite exam topic. Know its composition, why its growing, environmental/health impacts, and management challenges.