Waste management market growth is supported by sustainability-linked financing in emerging economies and mandatory recycled-content rules for plastic packaging in the EU and US, as circular economy practices expand across municipal, industrial, and commercial sectors.
Hyderabad , Jan. 19, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — According to Mordor Intelligence latest report, the waste management market size is estimated at USD 1.52 trillion in 2026 and is expected to reach USD 2.09 trillion by 2031 growing at a 6.58% CAGR. The industry is moving from traditional disposal-focused operations toward resource recovery. Landfill services remain the primary revenue source, while recycling and resource-recovery services are gaining momentum. Policies such as recycled-content regulations in the EU and US, extended-producer-responsibility mandates across Asia-Pacific, and corporate Scope-3 waste reporting are driving investments in AI-powered sorting, chemical recycling, and waste-to-energy projects. Asia-Pacific continues to lead in revenue, while the Middle East and Africa are emerging as the fastest-growing regions. Competition is intensifying as energy companies and innovative start-ups integrate collection, treatment, and renewable fuel production into comprehensive solutions.
Waste Management Market Regional Outlook
The Middle East and Africa are steadily increasing their waste management market share as governments prioritize modern, integrated waste systems. Landfill services continue to account for the largest share of waste management activities, while investments in recycling, material recovery, and sustainable treatment solutions are gaining pace. Supportive regulations, public–private partnerships, and policy-led sustainability goals are strengthening the region’s position in the global waste management landscape.
Asia-Pacific holds the largest share of the global waste management market. Regulatory enforcement, national cleanliness initiatives, and rising private investment are accelerating the shift toward recycling, recovery, and waste-to-energy solutions across the region. Countries such as China, India, and Japan continue to expand organized waste systems, while capital inflows from Singapore are strengthening regional recycling networks. Compliance-driven recovery activities in Vietnam and Thailand further reinforce Asia-Pacific’s growing waste management market.
Waste Management Market Growth Drivers
Extended Producer Responsibility Reshaping APAC Waste Flows
Across Asia-Pacific, expanded extended producer responsibility policies for textiles and electronics are reshaping how waste is collected and processed, directly influencing the overall waste management market size. Markets such as Singapore, Hong Kong, and India are placing greater responsibility on manufacturers, encouraging investments in organized collection, reverse logistics, and advanced recycling facilities. As compliance requirements tighten and informal recycling faces increased oversight, private capital is flowing into electronics dismantling and textile recovery infrastructure, broadening revenue opportunities beyond traditional packaging-focused waste streams.
Waste Transparency Driving Competitive Positioning
The growing adoption of science-based sustainability targets is reshaping corporate waste strategies and directly influencing waste management market share among service providers. As companies increase Scope-3 waste accountability, preference is shifting toward operators that can deliver transparent tracking, verified recycling outcomes, and audit-ready reporting aligned with frameworks such as the Science Based Targets initiative. This transition is moving contracts away from volume-based pricing toward performance-led models, strengthening the market share of waste management firms that offer digital traceability, compliance support, and verifiable environmental data.
Key Segments Highlighted in the Waste Management Industry Report
By Source
- Residential
- Commercial (retail, offices, and similar establishments)
- Industrial
- Medical (healthcare and pharmaceutical facilities)
- Construction and demolition
- Others (institutional, agricultural, and related sources)
By Service Type
- Collection, transportation, sorting, and segregation
- Disposal and treatment
- Landfill
- Recycling and resource recovery
- Incineration and waste-to-energy
- Other treatment methods (chemical treatment, composting, and similar processes)
- Other services (consulting, audit, training, and advisory)
By Waste Type
- Municipal solid waste
- Industrial hazardous waste
- Electronic waste
- Plastic waste
- Biomedical waste
- Construction and demolition waste
- Agricultural waste
- Other specialized waste (including radioactive and similar categories)
By Geography
North America
- United States
- Canada
- Mexico
South America
- Brazil
- Argentina
- Rest of South America
Asia-Pacific
- China
- Japan
- India
- South Korea
- ASEAN countries (Indonesia, Thailand, Philippines, Malaysia, Vietnam)
- Australia
- Rest of Asia-Pacific
Europe
- United Kingdom
- Germany
- France
- Italy
- Spain
- Russia
- BENELUX (Belgium, Netherlands, Luxembourg)
- Nordics (Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden)
- Rest of Europe
Middle East and Africa
- Saudi Arabia
- United Arab Emirates
- Qatar
- Turkey
- South Africa
- Egypt
- Nigeria
- Rest of Middle East and Africa
Overview – Waste Management Industry
| Study Period | 2020-2031 |
| Market Size Forecast | USD 2.09 Trillion (2031) |
| Industry Expansion | Growing at a CAGR of 6.58% during 2026-2031 |
| Fastest Growing Market for 2026-2031 | Middle East and Africa projected to record the fastest growth rate |
Waste Management Companies
- Veolia Environment SA
- Waste Management Inc.
- Suez SA
- Republic Services Inc.
- Waste Connections Inc.
- Clean Harbors Inc.
- Covanta Holding Corporation
- Biffa Group
- Remondis SE & Co. KG
- Stericycle Inc.
- GFL Environmental Inc.
- FCC Environment
- Cleanaway Waste Management Ltd
- Hitachi Zosen Inova AG
- Sims Limited
- Renewi PLC
- Averda
- Daiseki Co. Ltd
- Tatweer Environmental Services
- Waste Pro USA
- Recology
Get in-depth industry insights on the waste management market report: https://www.mordorintelligence.com/industry-reports/global-waste-management-market?utm_source=globenewswire
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