| Study Period | 2020 - 2030 |
| Base Year For Estimation | 2024 |
| Forecast Data Period | 2025 - 2030 |
| Market Size (2025) | USD 28.89 Billion |
| Market Size (2030) | USD 36.25 Billion |
| CAGR (2025 - 2030) | 4.64 % |
| Market Concentration | Low |
Major Players
*Disclaimer: Major Players sorted in no particular order |
Asia-Pacific Municipal Solid Waste Management Market Analysis
The Asia-Pacific Municipal Solid Waste Management Market size is estimated at USD 28.89 billion in 2025, and is expected to reach USD 36.25 billion by 2030, at a CAGR of 4.64% during the forecast period (2025-2030).
Among the countries in the Asia-Pacific region, India's solid waste management market has experienced notable growth, propelled by the government's emphasis on cleanliness and sanitation. With a swelling population and rapid urbanization, the nation has seen a significant increase in waste production, necessitating more effective and sustainable waste management strategies. The government's Swachh Bharat Abhiyan (Clean India Mission) has notably catalyzed the sector, spurring a heightened demand for waste management solutions.
Due to its rapid urbanization, economic expansion, and heightened urban consumption rates, India ranks among the top 10 global producers of municipal solid waste (MSW). As per a report by The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI), the country generates a staggering 62 million tons (MT) of waste annually. However, only 43 MT is collected, with a mere 12 MT undergoing treatment. The remaining 31 MT is haphazardly discarded. This significant portion of untreated waste, coupled with deficiencies in collection, transport, and disposal, has escalated environmental and public health concerns nationwide.
By the end of the financial year 2022, India's daily municipal solid waste production exceeded 170,300 metric tons, marking a 6% increase from the previous year. Maharashtra, a state in western India, led the nation in MSW production that year.
In the same financial year, Maharashtra alone produced over 23,500 metric tons of MSW daily, constituting approximately 13% of the country's total. Other notable contributors included Uttarakhand, Tamil Nadu, and West Bengal. India's electronic waste generation has also surged, more than doubling since 2018 to surpass 1.6 million metric tons in 2022. However, only a third of this volume was collected and processed. In response to this mounting concern, the Indian government has set a target for e-waste collection, aiming for a 10% annual increase, with a goal to collect 70% of generated e-waste starting from the financial year 2024.
Japan, on the other hand, grapples with its own waste challenges. Household waste, totaling around 30 million metric tons, dominates the market, overshadowing business-related waste. Notably, plastic packaging and containers constitute a significant portion of household waste, reflecting Japan's widespread use of single-use plastics. This reliance on disposable plastics has exacerbated pollution, emerging as a pressing environmental issue.
Moreover, Japan faces a mounting electronic waste crisis. Given the rapid pace of technological advancements and the public's appetite for new devices, many electronics are discarded after just a few years. While Japan was an early adopter of electronic waste recycling programs in Asia, illegal dumping persists, underscoring the ongoing challenges posed by electronic waste pollution.
In conclusion, both India and Japan face significant challenges in managing their waste streams, driven by rapid urbanization, economic growth, and technological advancements. While India struggles with the sheer volume of municipal and electronic waste, Japan contends with the environmental impact of single-use plastics and electronic waste. Addressing these issues requires robust policies, innovative solutions, and international cooperation to ensure sustainable waste management practices and mitigate environmental and public health risks.
Asia-Pacific Municipal Solid Waste Management Market Trends
Plastic Material Segment Dominates the Market
With a population of approximately 4 billion, the Asia-Pacific region (APAC) is witnessing rapid urbanization, exacerbating its mounting plastic crisis. According to a UN report, the region already boasts 28 megacities, and an estimated 120,000 individuals migrate to APAC cities daily. If this trend persists, projections indicate that by 2050, urban dwellers in the region will reach 3.3 billion.
This surge in urbanization has significantly spiked consumption, notably in the realm of single-use packaging, especially within the flexible plastic segment. If current patterns persist, plastic waste production in APAC is set to soar to 140 million tonnes by 2030. Given that many of the region's countries are among the world's most populous and are undergoing rapid urbanization, this shift in lifestyle and consumption habits has led to a substantial increase in the demand for packaged consumer goods.
Flexible packaging, due to its cost advantages, has emerged as a focal point in APAC, making the region a favored hub for production, especially in the food sector. Single-use plastic packaging, notably flexible packaging, is prevalent across APAC and is often seen in the form of pouches and sachets, such as those used for single-serve water in India.
The efficacy of regulations in APAC is underscored by the case of single-use plastic bags. Indonesia, for instance, conducted a successful trial in 23 cities and municipalities before enforcing a complete ban in Jakarta back in 2020. Despite pushback from businesses, non-compliant companies faced fines, while repeat offenders risked having their business permits revoked.
Initial reports indicate the ban's success. In 2018, prior to the ban, Jakarta was estimated to consume between 240 million and 300 million plastic bags annually. By 2021, consumption had reportedly dropped by 42%, from 11,192 tons to 6,452 tons. However, while some regions are making strides, others are lagging behind. South Korea, for instance, uses a staggering 19 billion plastic bags annually, as reported by the Korea Zero Waste Movement Network. Thailand, on the other hand, consumes around 200 billion plastic bags each year, with an average citizen using eight bags daily, according to a survey by the Thai government. The Ocean Conservancy highlights Thailand as the sixth-largest contributor to global marine waste.
While Asia-Pacific is making notable progress in addressing its plastic waste problem through regulatory measures, significant challenges remain. The rapid urbanization and changing consumption patterns continue to drive the demand for single-use plastics. Effective regulation and enforcement, as seen in Indonesia, can lead to substantial reductions in plastic waste. However, a concerted effort across all APAC countries is essential to mitigate the environmental impact and achieve sustainable urban growth.
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India is the Fastest-growing Country in the Market
India's solid waste management sector has seen notable growth, driven by the government's emphasis on cleanliness and sanitation. With a burgeoning population and rapid urbanization, the volume of waste has surged, necessitating more sustainable waste management practices. The government's Swachh Bharat Abhiyan (Clean India Mission) has further catalyzed this sector, spiking the demand for waste management solutions.
India, propelled by rapid urbanization, economic expansion, and heightened urban consumption, ranks among the top 10 global producers of municipal solid waste (MSW). The urban regions, home to approximately 377 million individuals, churn out 55.6 million metric tonnes (MMT) of MSW annually.
Projections suggest that by the end of 2023, as India's urban populace reaches an estimated 600 million, the nation will be generating 165 million tonnes of solid waste, with 5-6% of that being plastic. While the country's MSW collection rate stands at an impressive 70%, there is a pressing need to bolster the recovery and end-disposal processes. Forecasts indicate that urban waste generation will escalate at 5% annually, potentially reaching 436 MMT by 2050.
Historically, solid waste management (SWM) in India has fallen under the purview of local municipal authorities or urban local bodies (ULBs). Only a handful of these authorities have established proper waste processing centers, and even fewer boast adequate disposal facilities. Challenges span from financial constraints to a dearth of technical expertise, leaving many municipal governments across India grappling with their cities' waste management.
Given India's substantial agro-residue and biodegradable household waste output, this sector holds immense promise. A standout example is Indore, renowned as India's cleanest city, which converts 550 tonnes of biodegradable waste into 17,000 kg of bio-CNG daily. It is a model that many more cities should aim to replicate by 2047.
Drones and other cutting-edge technologies are set to revolutionize waste management. From monitoring collection and disposal to optimizing routing and identifying recyclables, these innovations promise to enhance overall system efficiency.
In conclusion, India's municipal solid waste management market is poised for significant advancements, driven by government initiatives, technological innovations, and the increasing need for sustainable practices. As urbanization continues to rise, the market must evolve to address the growing waste challenges effectively. By adopting successful models like Indore's and leveraging new technologies, India can pave the way for a cleaner and more sustainable future.
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Asia-Pacific Municipal Solid Waste Management Industry Overview
The municipal solid waste management (MSWM) market in Asia-Pacific is notably concentrated in nations such as China and India. This concentration is a result of their sizable populations, swift urbanization, stringent government regulations, technological progress, and notable investments in waste management infrastructure.
Major economies are witnessing a trend of heightened investments in waste management infrastructure, particularly in large-scale projects. These investments play a pivotal role in establishing robust waste management systems, encompassing recycling facilities, waste-to-energy plants, and cutting-edge landfill sites.
Key players in this arena include Biffa Group, Covanta Holding Corporation, Waste Management Inc., Veolia Environment SA, and Suez Group. Therefore, the APAC MSWM market is poised for significant growth, driven by the combined efforts of government initiatives, technological advancements, and substantial investments from key industry players.
Asia-Pacific Municipal Solid Waste Management Market Leaders
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Biffa Group
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Covanta Holding Corporation
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Waste Management Inc.
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Veolia Environment S.A
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Suez Group
- *Disclaimer: Major Players sorted in no particular order
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Asia-Pacific Municipal Solid Waste Management Market News
- June 2024: Veolia, operating through its subsidiary, Veolia Water Technologies & Solutions, signed a significant deal to bolster its presence in Wuxi, China. The collaboration sees Veolia partnering with the Administrative Committee of Wuxi National High-Tech Industrial Development Zone (WND) to achieve shared goals. This strategic move entails Veolia's plans to not only boost its existing production capabilities in Wuxi but also to roll out new, eco-friendly products, fostering energy-efficient and sustainable production lines.
- May 2024: The Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), the Alliance to End Plastic Waste (AEPW), and Indonesia’s Ministry of Public Works and Housing (MPWH) have forged a co-investment alliance. Their goal is to enhance integrated solid waste management (SWM) services in handpicked cities and districts across Indonesia. This collaboration aims to bolster SWM capabilities on both national and subnational fronts. It also paves the way for AEPW to inject additional concessional funds into the "Solid Waste Management for Sustainable Urban Development Project” in Indonesia.
Asia-Pacific Municipal Solid Waste Management Industry Segmentation
The management of municipal solid waste is a pivotal component of urban planning and environmental sustainability. This encompasses the collection, transportation, treatment, and disposal of solid waste originating from households, commercial enterprises, and institutions within a given municipality. Given the swift pace of urbanization and population expansion, effective solid waste management has emerged as a paramount global concern.
A complete background analysis of the APAC municipal solid waste management market, including the assessment of the economy and contribution of sectors in the economy, market overview, market size estimation for key segments, emerging trends in the market segments, market dynamics, and geographical trends, and COVID-19 impact, is covered in the report. The market is segmented by source (residential, commercial, hospitals, and offices & institutions), treatment (open dumping and disposal), material (paper & paperboard, plastic, metals, food, textiles, and other materials), and region (China, India, Japan, South Korea, and rest of Asia-Pacific). The report offers market size and forecasts in value (USD) for all the above segments.
| By Source | Residential |
| Commercial | |
| Hospitals | |
| Offices & Institutions | |
| By Treatment | Open Dumping |
| Disposal | |
| By Material | Paper & Paperboard |
| Plastic | |
| Metals | |
| Food | |
| Textiles | |
| Other Materials | |
| By Country | India |
| China | |
| Japan | |
| South Korea | |
| Rest of Asia-Pacific |
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Asia-Pacific Municipal Solid Waste Management Market Research Faqs
How big is the Asia-Pacific Municipal Solid Waste Management Market?
The Asia-Pacific Municipal Solid Waste Management Market size is expected to reach USD 28.89 billion in 2025 and grow at a CAGR of 4.64% to reach USD 36.25 billion by 2030.
What is the current Asia-Pacific Municipal Solid Waste Management Market size?
In 2025, the Asia-Pacific Municipal Solid Waste Management Market size is expected to reach USD 28.89 billion.
Who are the key players in Asia-Pacific Municipal Solid Waste Management Market?
Biffa Group, Covanta Holding Corporation, Waste Management Inc., Veolia Environment S.A and Suez Group are the major companies operating in the Asia-Pacific Municipal Solid Waste Management Market.
What years does this Asia-Pacific Municipal Solid Waste Management Market cover, and what was the market size in 2024?
In 2024, the Asia-Pacific Municipal Solid Waste Management Market size was estimated at USD 27.55 billion. The report covers the Asia-Pacific Municipal Solid Waste Management Market historical market size for years: 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024. The report also forecasts the Asia-Pacific Municipal Solid Waste Management Market size for years: 2025, 2026, 2027, 2028, 2029 and 2030.
Asia-Pacific Municipal Solid Waste Management Industry Report
Statistics for the 2025 Asia-Pacific Municipal Solid Waste Management market share, size and revenue growth rate, created by Mordor Intelligence™ Industry Reports. Asia-Pacific Municipal Solid Waste Management analysis includes a market forecast outlook for 2025 to 2030 and historical overview. Get a sample of this industry analysis as a free report PDF download.
