PUBLISHER: The Business Research Company | PRODUCT CODE: 1816788
PUBLISHER: The Business Research Company | PRODUCT CODE: 1816788
Solid waste management involves the systematic collection, transportation, treatment, and disposal of solid waste produced by human activities. It encompasses the implementation of strategies and practices to minimize the adverse environmental and public health impacts of solid waste. The goal of solid waste management is to reduce landfill waste through recycling, composting, and waste-to-energy processes, ensuring proper disposal of residual waste to mitigate pollution and safeguard human health and the environment.
The primary types of solid waste managed are municipal and industrial. Municipal solid waste comprises garbage and discarded materials generated by households, businesses, and institutions within urban areas. These waste materials include paper, plastic, metals, food, textiles, and others. Various services involved in solid waste management include open dumping, incineration or combustion, landfilling, recycling, composting, and anaerobic digestion. End-users of solid waste management services encompass 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 solid waste management market research report is one of a series of new reports from The Business Research Company that provides solid waste management market statistics, including the solid waste management industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with a solid waste management market share, detailed solid waste management market segments, market trends and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the solid waste management industry. This solid waste management 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 solid waste management market size has grown steadily in recent years. It will grow from $314.69 billion in 2024 to $328.91 billion in 2025 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.5%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to the adoption of sustainable waste management practices, utilization of waste as a source of renewable energy, growing concerns about public health, economic growth, and urbanization.
The solid waste management market size is expected to see steady growth in the next few years. It will grow to $390.76 billion in 2029 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.4%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to climate change mitigation, regulatory compliance, increasing industrialization, increase in smart city constructions, and climate change mitigation. Major trends in the forecast period include development of bio-based alternatives, technological advancements, waste-to-energy technologies, public-private partnerships and smart waste management systems.
The forecast of 4.4% growth over the next five years reflects a modest reduction of 0.2% from the previous estimate for this market. This reduction is primarily due to the impact of tariffs between the US and other countries. The U.S. could experience elevated operating expenses as sensor-enabled bins, route optimization software, and sorting automation sourced from the Netherlands and Japan grow more expensive for municipal waste collection programs. 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.
Rising environmental concerns are expected to fuel the growth of the solid waste management market moving forward. Environmental concerns refer to the awareness and care for the well-being of nature and its ecosystems. These concerns are increasing due to extreme weather events, a growing awareness of climate change, and the impact of human activities on the environment. Solid waste management plays a crucial role in mitigating environmental pollution, conserving resources, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, protecting ecosystems, promoting circular economy practices, and enhancing public health. For example, in May 2024, Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC), a government agency based in Canada, reported that the country's total greenhouse gas emissions in 2022 were 708 megatons (Mt CO2 eq), marking a 1.3% increase from 698 (Mt CO2 eq) in 2021. Additionally, in June 2024, the US Energy Information Administration, a government agency in the United States, reported that CO2 emissions in 2021 totaled 35.72 billion metric tons, which increased to 38.50 billion metric tons in 2022. As a result, these environmental concerns are driving the expansion of the solid waste management market.
Leading companies in the solid waste management market are focusing on developing technologically advanced solutions, such as waste sorting robots, to enhance the efficiency and accuracy of waste sorting processes, boost recycling rates, and encourage sustainable waste management practices. Waste sorting robots are robotic systems engineered to automate the sorting and segregation of various types of waste materials. For example, in February 2024, ZenRobotics, a Finland-based supplier of intelligent sorting robots for the waste industry, introduced ZenRobotics 4.0, the fourth generation of waste sorting robots. This latest iteration integrates new features and advanced artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities to optimize and enhance the efficiency of waste sorting operations, representing a significant advancement in waste sorting technology.
In August 2023, Cards Holdings LLC, a US-based solid waste collection company, acquired Trash Hog LLC for an undisclosed sum. Through this acquisition, Cards Holdings LLC aims to strengthen its presence and capabilities in the waste management industry by integrating Trash Hog LLC into its portfolio. This strategic move is expected to enhance service offerings, expand market share, and reinforce its competitive position. Trash Hog LLC is a US-based solid waste collection company.
Major companies operating in the solid waste management market are Veolia Environment S.A., Waste Management Inc., Republic Services Inc., Remondis AG & Co. Kg, Rethmann AG & Co KG, SUEZ Group, Waste Connections Inc., GFL Environmental Inc., Clean Harbors Inc., Hitachi Zosen Corporation, Stericycle Inc., Paprec Group, Cleanaway Waste Management Limited, Renewi plc, Covanta Holdings Corporation, Biffa Limited, Advanced Disposal Services Inc., Biffa Group PLC, Recology, Waste Pro USA, Casella Waste Systems Inc., FCC Environment Limited, Viridor Limited, Urbaser SAU, ALBA Group, Envac Group, Keppel Seghers, TANA Oy
North America was the largest region in the solid waste management market in 2024. Asia-Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the forecast period. The regions covered in the solid waste management market report are Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa.
The countries covered in the solid waste management market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain.
The solid waste management market includes revenues earned by entities by providing services such as waste collection, waste treatment, and waste disposal. 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.
Solid Waste Management 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 solid waste management 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 solid waste management ? 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 solid waste management 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.