What’s your waste worth? 🤔

Ever think about how much money goes in the bin? The UN Environment Programme’s recently published Global Waste Management Outlook - the most comprehensive update since 2018 - puts some huge numbers forward for the future of waste and the value it holds.

📈 Municipal solid waste generation is predicted to grow from 2.3 billion tonnes in 2023 to 3.8 billion tonnes by 2050.

💵 In 2020, the global direct cost of waste management was an estimated $252bn USD.

😷 When factoring in the hidden costs of pollution, poor health and climate change from poor waste disposal practices, the cost rises to $361bn.

🤯 Without action, this global annual cost could almost double to $640.3bn by 2050.

🙏 The figures are staggering, but UNEP’s modelling does suggest that moving to a circular economy could lead to a full net gain of $108.5bn per year.

Of course, this isn’t just about economies and cash. Millions of people worldwide are negatively affected by our current approach to waste management, particularly in the global south.

The bar couldn’t be much lower - research from The World Bank suggests only 80% of all waste currently goes to landfill. Small steps from individuals and leaps from brands, organisations and authorities can create a global groundswell - but how do we make it happen? Remember that people are the key; their support takes awareness, education, and persuasion.

Don’t forget the recent reports on “green” literacy, to coin a phrase. Meet people where they are, take them on the journey, empower them and prove how they will benefit from action.

If you’ve not read it yet, download the UNEP report for yourself here: https://www.unep.org/resources/global-waste-management-outlook-2024