Municipal Solid Waste Management Market Size and Outlook 2031

Report Description

Forecast Period	2027-2031
Market Size (2025)	USD 123.21 Billion
CAGR (2026-2031)	5.52%
Fastest Growing Segment	Plastic Waste
Largest Market	North America
Market Size (2031)	USD 170.08 Billion

Market Overview

The Global Municipal Solid Waste Management Market is projected to grow from USD 123.21 Billion in 2025 to USD 170.08 Billion by 2031 at a 5.52% CAGR. The Global Municipal Solid Waste Management (MSWM) market encompasses the comprehensive suite of services and infrastructure dedicated to the collection, transportation, processing, treatment, and environmentally sound disposal of waste generated by residential, commercial, and institutional sources. Key drivers sustaining market growth include rapid global urbanization and continuous population expansion, which inherently lead to increased waste generation volumes, placing substantial demand on existing waste management systems. Furthermore, evolving consumption patterns and packaging trends contribute significantly to the escalating quantities of municipal waste requiring effective management.

According to the United Nations Environment Programme and the International Solid Waste Association's "Global Waste Management Outlook 2024", municipal waste generation reached approximately 2.1 billion tonnes in 2023. A significant challenge impeding market expansion is the persistent issue of inadequate waste collection and disposal infrastructure, particularly in developing economies. This deficiency often results in inefficient waste segregation, increased environmental pollution, and substantial operational costs, hindering the adoption of advanced waste management solutions globally.

Key Market Drivers

Regulatory Push and Investment in Waste Management
Stringent environmental regulations and robust policy frameworks are significantly shaping the Global Municipal Solid Waste Management market by mandating higher standards for waste handling and promoting circular economy principles. These regulations often necessitate substantial investments in modern infrastructure and advanced waste treatment technologies to ensure compliance and achieve ambitious recycling and diversion targets. For instance, according to Argus Media, in April 2026, the Japanese government's circular economy action plan targets approximately ¥1 trillion ($7 billion) in combined public and private investment by 2030 to enhance recycling capabilities and reduce reliance on virgin resources. Such policies stimulate innovation in waste management solutions, driving demand for more sophisticated collection, sorting, and processing systems.

Rising Environmental Awareness and Stakeholder Commitment
Concurrently, growing environmental awareness and sustainability concerns among the populace and businesses are profoundly influencing the market by fostering a collective drive towards waste reduction and resource recovery. This heightened awareness translates into increased public participation in recycling programs and greater corporate commitment to sustainable waste management practices. According to WM, in October 2025, in its '2025 WM Recycling Report', more than three in four Americans reported they currently recycle. This consumer and corporate advocacy accelerates the adoption of eco-friendly waste solutions, including advanced recycling and waste-to-energy initiatives. Furthermore, such commitment attracts significant funding, with the World Bank, for example, approving $250 million in April 2026, for the Kinshasa Urban Transformation and Jobs Program to improve solid waste management services.

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Key Market Challenges

A significant challenging factor impeding the growth of the Global Municipal Solid Waste Management market is the persistent issue of inadequate waste collection and disposal infrastructure. This deficiency is particularly pronounced in developing economies but represents a broader global obstacle, leading to substantial inefficiencies throughout the waste management value chain. Where infrastructure is insufficient, proper waste segregation at the source is often impractical, which then complicates subsequent recycling and advanced treatment processes. This results in increased environmental pollution from uncontrolled dumping and elevates operational costs for waste managers tasked with processing mixed waste streams. Consequently, the widespread adoption of advanced waste management solutions, such as modern recycling facilities or waste-to-energy plants, is significantly hindered, as the foundational infrastructure for efficient collection and initial sorting is either absent or underdeveloped. For instance, according to the Global Waste Index 2025 by Sensoneo, in 2025, over 50% of municipal solid waste in 12 out of 38 OECD countries was still directed to landfills. This substantial reliance on basic disposal methods, even in economically developed regions, underscores a broader global struggle with modern disposal infrastructure, impeding market development for more sustainable and efficient solutions worldwide.

Key Market Trends

The development of smart waste management systems represents a pivotal trend, leveraging advanced technologies to enhance operational efficiency and resource allocation. These systems integrate Internet of Things devices, artificial intelligence, and data analytics to optimize waste collection routes, monitor bin fill levels in real time, and improve fleet management. This technological integration leads to reduced operational costs, lower fuel consumption, and a diminished environmental footprint for municipal services. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, in March 2026, nearly 63% of urban municipalities have adopted IoT-based smart bins to optimize waste collection efficiency. Such deployments facilitate a more responsive and precise approach to waste logistics, moving away from fixed schedules towards demand-driven services.

Concurrently, there is an observable trend towards increased adoption of waste segregation at the source, which significantly impacts the quality and quantity of materials available for recycling and composting. This practice involves individuals and businesses separating waste streams at the point of generation, reducing contamination in collected materials. Improved source segregation enhances the effectiveness of downstream processing, leading to higher recovery rates for valuable resources and lessening the burden on landfills. For instance, according to Routeware, in November 2025, Metro Nashville Waste Services reduced its contamination rate from 46% to 28.6% by improving resident education and engagement in recycling initiatives. This demonstrates the direct positive influence of effective source segregation on material purity and overall waste management outcomes.

Segmental Insights

The Plastic Waste segment is experiencing rapid growth within the Global Municipal Solid Waste Management Market. This acceleration is primarily driven by escalating global plastic consumption, fueled by increasing urbanization and industrialization, which intensifies demand for various consumer goods and packaging. The versatility and cost-effectiveness of plastic contribute to its widespread use across diverse sectors. Furthermore, rising environmental concerns and stringent governmental regulations worldwide, including the implementation of extended producer responsibility mandates, compel enhanced collection, sorting, and processing infrastructure, thereby boosting the plastic waste management sector.

Regional Insights

North America stands out as a dominant region in the global municipal solid waste management market, holding a substantial market share. This leadership is attributable to the region's high waste generation rates and robust regulatory framework, exemplified by bodies such as the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), which mandate stringent environmental compliance and promote sustainable practices. Significant investments in advanced waste management infrastructure, including sophisticated recycling facilities, waste-to-energy initiatives, and the adoption of smart waste technologies, further solidify North America's prominent position.

Recent Developments

In May 2026, TOMRA Recycling unveiled a breakthrough AI-native platform developed by PolyPerception, alongside new deep learning applications for its GAINnext™ technology, presented at IFAT 2026. This innovation focuses on real-time data analysis and intelligent sorting solutions for municipal solid waste streams. TOMRA simultaneously increased its investment in PolyPerception to a 51% majority stake, strengthening this collaboration. The platform allows operators to interact with plant data using natural language, providing immediate insights and enabling the creation of custom quality reports and operational alerts, significantly enhancing recycling efficiency.
In May 2026, Casella Waste Systems, Inc. and Waga Energy celebrated the formal opening of a new Renewable Natural Gas (RNG) production facility at the Chemung County Landfill in Elmira, New York. This collaborative project successfully began converting landfill gas into pipeline-quality RNG in January 2026. The facility utilizes Waga Energy's patented WAGABOX® technology and is designed to generate up to 610,000 MMBtu of renewable gas annually. This initiative represents a significant step in resource recovery from municipal solid waste, contributing to regional energy supply and reducing carbon emissions.
In May 2025, SUEZ officially inaugurated its Waste to Materials Lab, a new technological platform designed to characterize, break down, and recycle complex waste and composite materials. This laboratory represents a strategic investment in breakthrough research, focusing on the end-of-life management of equipment used in renewable energy production within a circular economy framework. The platform enables detailed analysis and innovative recycling solutions for various waste streams, directly supporting advancements in municipal solid waste management by transforming diverse waste into valuable resources.
In April 2025, WM, a leading environmental solutions provider, announced the official grand openings of four new recycling and renewable natural gas (RNG) facilities across the United States. These advanced facilities represent a significant investment in WM's sustainability growth strategy, focusing on expanding infrastructure for processing municipal solid waste. The new sites utilize state-of-the-art technology, including artificial intelligence and automation, to enhance material recovery and convert captured landfill gas into pipeline-quality renewable natural gas. This initiative aims to increase annual recycling capacity and RNG production, contributing to more sustainable waste management practices.

Key Market Players

Waste Management, Inc.
Republic Services, Inc.
Clean Harbors, Inc.
Stericycle, Inc.
Waste Connections, Inc.
GFL Environmental Inc.
Casella Waste Systems, Inc.
REMONDIS SE & Co. KG
Veolia Environment S.A.
SUEZ S.A.

By Waste Type	By Service Type	By Technology	By End-User Industry	By Region
Organic Waste Plastic Waste Paper & Cardboard Waste Glass Waste Metal Waste Others	Collection & Transportation Recycling Treatment & Disposal Segregation & Storage Waste-to-Energy	Mechanical Biological Treatment Anaerobic Digestion Gasification Pyrolysis Recycling Technologies Landfill Technologies	Residential Commercial Others	North America Europe Asia Pacific South America Middle East & Africa

Report Scope:

In this report, the Global Municipal Solid Waste Management Market has been segmented into the following categories, in addition to the industry trends which have also been detailed below:

Municipal Solid Waste Management Market, By Waste Type:

Organic Waste
Plastic Waste
Paper & Cardboard Waste
Glass Waste
Metal Waste
Others

Municipal Solid Waste Management Market, By Service Type:

Collection & Transportation
Recycling
Treatment & Disposal
Segregation & Storage
Waste-to-Energy

Municipal Solid Waste Management Market, By Technology:

Mechanical Biological Treatment
Anaerobic Digestion
Gasification
Pyrolysis
Recycling Technologies
Landfill Technologies

Municipal Solid Waste Management Market, By End-User Industry:

Residential
Commercial
Others

Municipal Solid Waste Management Market, By Region:

North America

United States
Canada
Mexico

Europe

France
United Kingdom
Italy
Germany
Spain

Asia Pacific

China
India
Japan
Australia
South Korea

South America

Brazil
Argentina
Colombia

Middle East & Africa

South Africa
Saudi Arabia
UAE

Competitive Landscape

Company Profiles: Detailed analysis of the major companies present in the Global Municipal Solid Waste Management Market.

Available Customizations:

Global Municipal Solid Waste Management Market report with the given market data, TechSci Research offers customizations according to a company's specific needs. The following customization options are available for the report:

Company Information

Detailed analysis and profiling of additional market players (up to five).

Global Municipal Solid Waste Management Market is an upcoming report to be released soon. If you wish an early delivery of this report or want to confirm the date of release, please contact us at [email protected]

Table of content

1. Product Overview

1.1. Market Definition

1.2. Scope of the Market

1.2.1. Markets Covered

1.2.2. Years Considered for Study

1.2.3. Key Market Segmentations

2. Research Methodology

2.1. Objective of the Study

2.2. Baseline Methodology

2.3. Key Industry Partners

2.4. Major Association and Secondary Sources

2.5. Forecasting Methodology

2.6. Data Triangulation & Validation

2.7. Assumptions and Limitations

3. Executive Summary

3.1. Overview of the Market

3.2. Overview of Key Market Segmentations

3.3. Overview of Key Market Players

3.4. Overview of Key Regions/Countries

3.5. Overview of Market Drivers, Challenges, Trends

4. Voice of Customer

5. Global Municipal Solid Waste Management Market Outlook

5.1. Market Size & Forecast

5.1.1. By Value

5.2. Market Share & Forecast

5.2.1. By Waste Type (Organic Waste, Plastic Waste, Paper & Cardboard Waste, Glass Waste, Metal Waste, Others)

5.2.2. By Service Type (Collection & Transportation, Recycling, Treatment & Disposal, Segregation & Storage, Waste-to-Energy)

5.2.3. By Technology (Mechanical Biological Treatment, Anaerobic Digestion, Gasification, Pyrolysis, Recycling Technologies, Landfill Technologies)

5.2.4. By End-User Industry (Residential, Commercial, Others)

5.2.5. By Region

5.2.6. By Company (2025)

5.3. Market Map

6. North America Municipal Solid Waste Management Market Outlook

6.1. Market Size & Forecast

6.1.1. By Value

6.2. Market Share & Forecast

6.2.1. By Waste Type

6.2.2. By Service Type

6.2.3. By Technology

6.2.4. By End-User Industry

6.2.5. By Country

6.3. North America: Country Analysis

6.3.1. United States Municipal Solid Waste Management Market Outlook

6.3.1.1. Market Size & Forecast

6.3.1.1.1. By Value

6.3.1.2. Market Share & Forecast

6.3.1.2.1. By Waste Type

6.3.1.2.2. By Service Type

6.3.1.2.3. By Technology

6.3.1.2.4. By End-User Industry

6.3.2. Canada Municipal Solid Waste Management Market Outlook

6.3.2.1. Market Size & Forecast

6.3.2.1.1. By Value

6.3.2.2. Market Share & Forecast

6.3.2.2.1. By Waste Type

6.3.2.2.2. By Service Type

6.3.2.2.3. By Technology

6.3.2.2.4. By End-User Industry

6.3.3. Mexico Municipal Solid Waste Management Market Outlook

6.3.3.1. Market Size & Forecast

6.3.3.1.1. By Value

6.3.3.2. Market Share & Forecast

6.3.3.2.1. By Waste Type

6.3.3.2.2. By Service Type

6.3.3.2.3. By Technology

6.3.3.2.4. By End-User Industry

7. Europe Municipal Solid Waste Management Market Outlook

7.1. Market Size & Forecast

7.1.1. By Value

7.2. Market Share & Forecast

7.2.1. By Waste Type

7.2.2. By Service Type

7.2.3. By Technology

7.2.4. By End-User Industry

7.2.5. By Country

7.3. Europe: Country Analysis

7.3.1. Germany Municipal Solid Waste Management Market Outlook

7.3.1.1. Market Size & Forecast

7.3.1.1.1. By Value

7.3.1.2. Market Share & Forecast

7.3.1.2.1. By Waste Type

7.3.1.2.2. By Service Type

7.3.1.2.3. By Technology

7.3.1.2.4. By End-User Industry

7.3.2. France Municipal Solid Waste Management Market Outlook

7.3.2.1. Market Size & Forecast

7.3.2.1.1. By Value

7.3.2.2. Market Share & Forecast

7.3.2.2.1. By Waste Type

7.3.2.2.2. By Service Type

7.3.2.2.3. By Technology

7.3.2.2.4. By End-User Industry

7.3.3. United Kingdom Municipal Solid Waste Management Market Outlook

7.3.3.1. Market Size & Forecast

7.3.3.1.1. By Value

7.3.3.2. Market Share & Forecast

7.3.3.2.1. By Waste Type

7.3.3.2.2. By Service Type

7.3.3.2.3. By Technology

7.3.3.2.4. By End-User Industry

7.3.4. Italy Municipal Solid Waste Management Market Outlook

7.3.4.1. Market Size & Forecast

7.3.4.1.1. By Value

7.3.4.2. Market Share & Forecast

7.3.4.2.1. By Waste Type

7.3.4.2.2. By Service Type

7.3.4.2.3. By Technology

7.3.4.2.4. By End-User Industry

7.3.5. Spain Municipal Solid Waste Management Market Outlook

7.3.5.1. Market Size & Forecast

7.3.5.1.1. By Value

7.3.5.2. Market Share & Forecast

7.3.5.2.1. By Waste Type

7.3.5.2.2. By Service Type

7.3.5.2.3. By Technology

7.3.5.2.4. By End-User Industry

8. Asia Pacific Municipal Solid Waste Management Market Outlook

8.1. Market Size & Forecast

8.1.1. By Value

8.2. Market Share & Forecast

8.2.1. By Waste Type

8.2.2. By Service Type

8.2.3. By Technology

8.2.4. By End-User Industry

8.2.5. By Country

8.3. Asia Pacific: Country Analysis

8.3.1. China Municipal Solid Waste Management Market Outlook

8.3.1.1. Market Size & Forecast

8.3.1.1.1. By Value

8.3.1.2. Market Share & Forecast

8.3.1.2.1. By Waste Type

8.3.1.2.2. By Service Type

8.3.1.2.3. By Technology

8.3.1.2.4. By End-User Industry

8.3.2. India Municipal Solid Waste Management Market Outlook

8.3.2.1. Market Size & Forecast

8.3.2.1.1. By Value

8.3.2.2. Market Share & Forecast

8.3.2.2.1. By Waste Type

8.3.2.2.2. By Service Type

8.3.2.2.3. By Technology

8.3.2.2.4. By End-User Industry

8.3.3. Japan Municipal Solid Waste Management Market Outlook

8.3.3.1. Market Size & Forecast

8.3.3.1.1. By Value

8.3.3.2. Market Share & Forecast

8.3.3.2.1. By Waste Type

8.3.3.2.2. By Service Type

8.3.3.2.3. By Technology

8.3.3.2.4. By End-User Industry

8.3.4. South Korea Municipal Solid Waste Management Market Outlook

8.3.4.1. Market Size & Forecast

8.3.4.1.1. By Value

8.3.4.2. Market Share & Forecast

8.3.4.2.1. By Waste Type

8.3.4.2.2. By Service Type

8.3.4.2.3. By Technology

8.3.4.2.4. By End-User Industry

8.3.5. Australia Municipal Solid Waste Management Market Outlook

8.3.5.1. Market Size & Forecast

8.3.5.1.1. By Value

8.3.5.2. Market Share & Forecast

8.3.5.2.1. By Waste Type

8.3.5.2.2. By Service Type

8.3.5.2.3. By Technology

8.3.5.2.4. By End-User Industry

9. Middle East & Africa Municipal Solid Waste Management Market Outlook

9.1. Market Size & Forecast

9.1.1. By Value

9.2. Market Share & Forecast

9.2.1. By Waste Type

9.2.2. By Service Type

9.2.3. By Technology

9.2.4. By End-User Industry

9.2.5. By Country

9.3. Middle East & Africa: Country Analysis

9.3.1. Saudi Arabia Municipal Solid Waste Management Market Outlook

9.3.1.1. Market Size & Forecast

9.3.1.1.1. By Value

9.3.1.2. Market Share & Forecast

9.3.1.2.1. By Waste Type

9.3.1.2.2. By Service Type

9.3.1.2.3. By Technology

9.3.1.2.4. By End-User Industry

9.3.2. UAE Municipal Solid Waste Management Market Outlook

9.3.2.1. Market Size & Forecast

9.3.2.1.1. By Value

9.3.2.2. Market Share & Forecast

9.3.2.2.1. By Waste Type

9.3.2.2.2. By Service Type

9.3.2.2.3. By Technology

9.3.2.2.4. By End-User Industry

9.3.3. South Africa Municipal Solid Waste Management Market Outlook

9.3.3.1. Market Size & Forecast

9.3.3.1.1. By Value

9.3.3.2. Market Share & Forecast

9.3.3.2.1. By Waste Type

9.3.3.2.2. By Service Type

9.3.3.2.3. By Technology

9.3.3.2.4. By End-User Industry

10. South America Municipal Solid Waste Management Market Outlook

10.1. Market Size & Forecast

10.1.1. By Value

10.2. Market Share & Forecast

10.2.1. By Waste Type

10.2.2. By Service Type

10.2.3. By Technology

10.2.4. By End-User Industry

10.2.5. By Country

10.3. South America: Country Analysis

10.3.1. Brazil Municipal Solid Waste Management Market Outlook

10.3.1.1. Market Size & Forecast

10.3.1.1.1. By Value

10.3.1.2. Market Share & Forecast

10.3.1.2.1. By Waste Type

10.3.1.2.2. By Service Type

10.3.1.2.3. By Technology

10.3.1.2.4. By End-User Industry

10.3.2. Colombia Municipal Solid Waste Management Market Outlook

10.3.2.1. Market Size & Forecast

10.3.2.1.1. By Value

10.3.2.2. Market Share & Forecast

10.3.2.2.1. By Waste Type

10.3.2.2.2. By Service Type

10.3.2.2.3. By Technology

10.3.2.2.4. By End-User Industry

10.3.3. Argentina Municipal Solid Waste Management Market Outlook

10.3.3.1. Market Size & Forecast

10.3.3.1.1. By Value

10.3.3.2. Market Share & Forecast

10.3.3.2.1. By Waste Type

10.3.3.2.2. By Service Type

10.3.3.2.3. By Technology

10.3.3.2.4. By End-User Industry

11. Market Dynamics

11.1. Drivers

11.2. Challenges

12. Market Trends & Developments

12.1. Merger & Acquisition (If Any)

12.2. Product Launches (If Any)

12.3. Recent Developments

13. Global Municipal Solid Waste Management Market: SWOT Analysis

14. Porter's Five Forces Analysis

14.1. Competition in the Industry

14.2. Potential of New Entrants

14.3. Power of Suppliers

14.4. Power of Customers

14.5. Threat of Substitute Products

15. Competitive Landscape

15.1. Waste Management, Inc.

15.1.1. Business Overview

15.1.2. Products & Services

15.1.3. Recent Developments

15.1.4. Key Personnel

15.1.5. SWOT Analysis

15.2. Republic Services, Inc.

15.3. Clean Harbors, Inc.

15.4. Stericycle, Inc.

15.5. Waste Connections, Inc.

15.6. GFL Environmental Inc.

15.7. Casella Waste Systems, Inc.

15.8. REMONDIS SE & Co. KG

15.9. Veolia Environment S.A.

15.10. SUEZ S.A.

16. Strategic Recommendations

17. About Us & Disclaimer

Report Description

Table of content

Figures and Tables

Frequently asked questions

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