Waste Quantities and Characteristics

Quantity of global wasteWaste is likely to grow to 3.40 billion tonnes by 2050 with waste generation in high-income nations is projected to rise by 19% by 2050 as compared to the increase by more than three times in low-income countries. Total waste generation in sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia, and the Middle East and North Africa is expected to nearly triple, double and double, respectively, by 2050. Waste quantities and characteristics are two of the most important features to be considered for waste managementWaste management. As of 2016 the world generated 0.74 kg/day/capita waste. The national waste generation varied widely from 0.11 to 4.54 kg/day/capita. In 2016, about 2.01 billion tonnes of MSWMunicipal Solid Waste (MSW) were generated and under a business-as-usual scenario is expected to grow to 3.40 billion tonnes by 2050. The quantity of wasteWaste generation in low-income countries is likely to rise by more than three times by 2050. All waste will not have the same characteristics and quantities vary from one activity to other and place to place. Quantities are usually erroneously estimated due to various reasons. Planner should have knowledge of various sources of waste and quantity/characteristics of waste contributed from these sources. This chapter discusses solid wasteSolid waste quantity as well as characteristics of solid wasteSolid waste from different sources. Due to the limitation of size of chapter, cross reference is made to other chapter which deals with specific wasteWaste elaborately.