Circular economy

From a global perspective, the circular economy in solid waste management is a strategic shift from the traditional linear model of “produce–consume–dispose” to a regenerative system that keeps materials in use and minimizes environmental impact. With global municipal solid waste generation projected to rise from 2.1 billion tonnes in 2023 to 3.8 billion tonnes by 2050, the urgency for circular approaches is clear.

In a circular model, waste is treated as a resource. Materials are reused, recycled, or recovered through processes like composting, anaerobic digestion, and waste-to-energy. Products are designed for durability and repairability, reducing the volume of waste entering landfills. Organic waste is converted into biogas and compost, while plastics and metals are reprocessed into new products. This reduces the need for virgin materials and lowers greenhouse gas emissions.

Globally, only about 13.5% of waste is recycled and 5.5% composted, while over 40% is still openly dumped, especially in low- and middle-income countries. Circular economy strategies aim to reverse this trend by improving segregation, integrating informal waste workers, and investing in decentralized processing infrastructure.

The benefits are substantial: reduced pollution, improved public health, green job creation, and economic savings. UNEP estimates that a full circular economy transition could yield a net gain of USD 108.5 billion per year by 2050 through avoided costs and resource efficiency.

In essence, circularity in solid waste management is not just an environmental imperative—it’s a socioeconomic opportunity to build resilient, low-carbon societies worldwide.