Modelled live estimate
Municipal waste generated worldwide
An illustrative counter based on UNEP’s global annual estimate.
Estimated waste generated since the start of 2026
—tonnes
Modelled from the 2023 annual estimate · not a direct real-time measurement
20232.1billion tonnes
+81%projected growth by 2050
20503.8billion tonnes projected
Waste by country
Latest reported national values; source years and coverage differ.
| Country | Estimated this year | Reported tonnes/year | kg/person/day | Collection | Recycling | Year |
|---|
What is municipal solid waste?
Municipal solid waste includes waste collected from households and similar waste from commerce and institutions. It does not represent all industrial, construction, agricultural or hazardous waste. The live number is a modelled illustration, not a sensor reading.
Data status
Last reviewed: 2 October 2026
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