PUBLISHER: The Business Research Company | PRODUCT CODE: 1816553
PUBLISHER: The Business Research Company | PRODUCT CODE: 1816553
Waste management and recovery services encompass a spectrum of activities involving the efficient handling, collection, processing, and recycling of waste materials. Recovery services, in particular, focus on utilizing waste as a resource to create new, valuable products.
Within the domain of waste management and recovery services, there exist several primary categories including waste collection, incineration or combustion, landfill management, and recycling initiatives. Open dumping, however, refers to an illegal and unauthorized method of disposing of waste, distinct from regulated waste management processes such as landfilling or recycling. The types of waste managed and recovered span a wide range, including hazardous waste, electronic waste (e-waste), municipal waste, plastics, industrial waste, among others. These services cater to diverse end users across residential, commercial, and industrial sectors.
Note that the outlook for this market is being affected by rapid changes in trade relations and tariffs globally. The report will be updated prior to delivery to reflect the latest status, including revised forecasts and quantified impact analysis. The report's Recommendations and Conclusions sections will be updated to give strategies for entities dealing with the fast-moving international environment.
The sharp rise in U.S. tariffs and the resulting trade tensions in spring 2025 are having a notable impact on the services sector, particularly in business services, IT, and professional consulting. The increased costs of imported technology, office equipment, and critical digital infrastructure are driving up operating expenses for service providers, compelling them to either pass these costs on to clients or absorb the financial strain themselves. Outsourcing firms and IT service providers are grappling with higher hardware costs and supply chain delays, which are disrupting project timelines and squeezing profitability. Furthermore, retaliatory tariffs have weakened demand for U.S.-based professional services in key global markets, slowing export-driven revenues. To navigate these challenges, the sector must focus on accelerating digital transformation, optimizing costs, and strengthening domestic client relationships to sustain growth and remain competitive in an increasingly uncertain trade environment.
The waste management and recovery services market research report is one of a series of new reports from The Business Research Company that provides waste management and recovery services market statistics, including waste management and recovery services industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with a waste management and recovery services market share, detailed waste management and recovery services market segments, market trends and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the waste management and recovery services industry. This waste management and recovery services market research report delivers a complete perspective of everything you need, with an in-depth analysis of the current and future scenario of the industry.
The waste management and recovery services market size has grown steadily in recent years. It will grow from $185.31 billion in 2024 to $193.49 billion in 2025 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.4%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to regulatory frameworks, environmental awareness, shift towards circular economy, resource scarcity concerns.
The waste management and recovery services market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $240.41 billion in 2029 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.6%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to emergence of innovative business models, shift towards sustainable practices, investment in infrastructure, urbanization and population growth, rise in environmental awareness. Major trends in the forecast period include waste-to-energy solutions, focus on recycling technologies, expansion of circular economy models, smart waste management solutions, bio-based and biodegradable materials.
The forecast of 5.6% growth over the next five years reflects a slight reduction of 0.2% from the previous projection. This reduction is primarily due to the impact of tariffs between the US and other countries. The U.S. could see pricing pressure as hazardous waste treatment units, advanced landfill gas extraction systems, and recovery analytics tools sourced from the Netherlands and Germany become more expensive for environmental contractors. The effect will also be felt more widely due to reciprocal tariffs and the negative effect on the global economy and trade due to increased trade tensions and restrictions.
The waste management and recovery services market is anticipated to experience significant growth, driven by the ongoing trend of rising urbanization. Urbanization, defined as the substantial shift of populations from rural to urban areas, leads to physical transformations in urban environments, resulting in increased waste generation. This surge in waste poses health threats and contributes to environmental degradation in urban areas. Waste management and recovery services play a crucial role in mitigating these challenges, striving for a cleaner and better environment. As per The World Bank's data in October 2022, the global urban population is projected to rise from 4.4 billion in 2022 to 6 billion by 2045, representing an approximate 1.6 times increase from the current urban population. This significant urbanization trend is a key driver for the growth of the waste management and recovery services market.
A contributing factor to the market's growth is the increasing demand in the residential sector. The residential sector encompasses the portion of the economy and real estate market dedicated to housing and living spaces for individuals and families. Implementing effective waste management and recovery services in residential areas enables communities to contribute to environmental sustainability, resource conservation, legal compliance, enhanced aesthetics, economic well-being, and overall improved quality of life for residents. Data from the United States Census Bureau in October 2023 indicates a notable increase in the number of privately owned housing units approved by building permits on a seasonally adjusted yearly basis. This surge, representing a 13.8% increase from the corrected January rate, highlights the growing demand in residential areas as a driving force behind the waste management and recovery services market.
Innovations in waste management emerge as a prominent trend in the waste management and recovery services market, with major companies focusing on developing innovative products to solidify their market positions. An example is Casella Waste Systems, Inc., a US-based waste management company, which, in October 2022, partnered with TerraCycle, another US-based waste management company, to launch an innovative home recycling pilot called TerraCycle Pouch for hard-to-recycle items. This initiative empowers consumers to divert waste from landfills, engage with their communities, and receive rewards for their efforts. The primary goal is to recycle more than 20 hard-to-recycle materials, offering additional services in line with this innovative trend in waste management.
Major players in the waste management and recovery services market are strategically emphasizing the development of innovative products, such as AI-driven recycling facilities, to boost their market revenues. Recycling facilities incorporating artificial intelligence (AI) are at the forefront of sorting technology, ushering in significant advancements and fostering a more sustainable future for the sector. A notable example is Beeah Group, a UAE-based environmental management company, which, in October 2022, introduced an AI-driven recycling facility. This state-of-the-art facility for Commercial and Industrial (C&I) recycling leverages AI and robotics, aiming to reduce landfill waste and enhance material recovery efficiency. It serves to complement Beeah Recycling's Material Recovery Facility (MRF), the largest in the Middle East and the third-largest globally, in its waste processing initiatives. Beeah's initiative to digitize the waste management and recycling sector, coupled with providing stakeholders in the food value chain access to cutting-edge remote sensing technologies, marks a noteworthy stride in the industry.
In October 2024, Federal Signal Corporation, a US-based manufacturer of communications equipment, acquired Standard Equipment Company for an undisclosed amount. This acquisition enhances Federal Signal's capabilities in the waste management and recovery services sector by incorporating rental and used equipment services. Standard Equipment Company is a US-based firm that provides environmental equipment solutions, including waste management and recovery services.
Major companies operating in the waste management and recovery services market include Suez Environment SA, Veolia Environment SA, Republic Services Inc., Biffa plc, Clean Harbors Inc., Daiseki Co. Ltd., Hitachi Zosen Corporation, Remondis Se & Co. KG, Waste Management Inc., Casella Waste Systems Inc., Cleanaway Waste Management Limited, FCC Environment Ltd., GFL Environmental Inc., GreenWaste Recovery Inc., IQR Solutions AB, Meridian Waste Solutions Inc., Recology Inc., Rumpke Consolidated Companies Inc., Stericycle Inc., Waste Connections Inc., Waste Pro USA Inc.
North America was the largest region in the waste management and recovery services market in 2024. The regions covered in the waste management and recovery services market report are Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa
The countries covered in the waste management and recovery services market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain.
The waste management and recovery services market includes revenues earned by entities by providing waste treatment, and disposal, remediation, materials recovery facilities, and septic tank pumping services. The market value includes the value of related goods sold by the service provider or included within the service offering. Only goods and services traded between entities or sold to end consumers are included.
The market value is defined as the revenues that enterprises gain from the sale of goods and/or services within the specified market and geography through sales, grants, or donations in terms of the currency (in USD, unless otherwise specified).
The revenues for a specified geography are consumption values that are revenues generated by organizations in the specified geography within the market, irrespective of where they are produced. It does not include revenues from resales along the supply chain, either further along the supply chain or as part of other products.
Waste Management And Recovery Services Global Market Report 2025 from The Business Research Company provides strategists, marketers and senior management with the critical information they need to assess the market.
This report focuses on waste management and recovery services market which is experiencing strong growth. The report gives a guide to the trends which will be shaping the market over the next ten years and beyond.
Where is the largest and fastest growing market for waste management and recovery services ? How does the market relate to the overall economy, demography and other similar markets? What forces will shape the market going forward, including technological disruption, regulatory shifts, and changing consumer preferences? The waste management and recovery services market global report from the Business Research Company answers all these questions and many more.
The report covers market characteristics, size and growth, segmentation, regional and country breakdowns, competitive landscape, market shares, trends and strategies for this market. It traces the market's historic and forecast market growth by geography.
The forecasts are made after considering the major factors currently impacting the market. These include the technological advancements such as AI and automation, Russia-Ukraine war, trade tariffs (government-imposed import/export duties), elevated inflation and interest rates.