The “Global Waste Management Outlook 2024” was recently unveiled at the UNEA-6 (6th United Nations Environmental Assembly) at the UNEP (UN Environment Programme) headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya.
About the report:
- It highlights key findings and predictions about global waste management, jointly published by the UNEP and ISWA.
Key highlights:
- A global average waste collection rate of 75%, with 540 million tonnes of municipal waste uncollected annually, representing 27% of total waste.
- Over 2.7 billion people, primarily in the Global South and developing regions, lack adequate waste collection services, leading to a global direct cost of waste management of $252 billion in 2020, which escalates to $361 billion when the hidden costs associated with pollution, health, and climate change are included.
- The report predicts waste generation will increase from 2.3 billion tonnes in 2023 to 3.8 billion tonnes by 2050, posing significant management challenges.
- Without intervention, the direct cost of waste management could soar to $640.3 billion by 2050, but adopting a circular economy model could result in a net gain of $108.5 billion annually.
Government initiatives for waste management:
- The Solid Waste Management (SWM) Rules 2016, Plastic Waste Management (PWM) Rules 2016, and the E-waste (Management) Rules 2016.
- The Swachh Bharat Abhiyan aims to eliminate open defecation and improve waste management, while the Waste to Wealth Mission seeks to convert waste into energy, recycle materials, and extract valuable resources.
- The Swaccha Survekshan, the world’s largest urban sanitation survey, and the Swachhata Hi Seva (SHS) campaign emphasize the importance of cleanliness and sanitation.
Ref:Source
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