North America Waste Management Market Trends

Statistics for the 2023 & 2024 North America Waste Management market trends, created by Mordor Intelligence™ Industry Reports. North America Waste Management trend report includes a market forecast to 2029 and historical overview. Get a sample of this industry trends analysis as a free report PDF download.

Market Trends of North America Waste Management Industry

Waste Management Market Surges in Response to Escalating Plastic Waste Concerns

  • In 2023, the United States exported approximately 920 million pounds of scrap plastic, marking a 4.6% decrease from the previous year and a nearly 80% drop from 2015, according to the US Census Bureau. Canada and Mexico were the leading destinations for these exports, accounting for over half of the US plastic scrap exports.
  • This decline suggests a reduced reliance on international markets for plastic scrap disposal, signaling a growing need for enhanced domestic recycling and waste management solutions. As export opportunities contract, there is an increasing imperative for the United States to develop a more robust recycling infrastructure and waste management systems within its borders.
  • In Canada, waste disposal from all sources increased by 0.5 million tonnes (+1.91%) in 2022, reaching 26.62 million tonnes. This rise represents the highest waste disposal level in the observed period. The increase underscores a growing volume of waste that needs effective management, highlighting the demand for improved waste management strategies, enhanced recycling programs, and comprehensive waste reduction measures.
North America Waste Management Market: Total volume of waste disposal in Canada: in million metric tons, 2008 to 2022

National Strategy Shaping North American Waste Management

  • In June 2024, the US Department of Agriculture (USDA), US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and the White House launched the National Strategy for Reducing Food Loss and Waste and Recycling Organics.
  • This initiative aims to reduce food loss and waste by 50% by 2030 while enhancing the recycling of organic materials. The strategy supports broader objectives of combating climate change, improving food security, and promoting environmental justice.
  • The USDA, EPA, and FDA will fund new research, launch awareness campaigns, and focus on building community-scale recycling infrastructure to achieve these goals. They will also foster partnerships with industry leaders dedicated to waste reduction.
  • This strategy is expected to significantly impact the waste management market by increasing the demand for advanced solutions. As the volume of organic waste rises, companies must expand their services and enhance recycling processes. This increased demand is anticipated to drive growth in the sector. Moreover, the strategy encourages greater collaboration and more efficient resource allocation, improving overall waste management practices in North America.
North America Waste Management Market: Distribution of Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) chemical waste managed through water releases: in %, 2022, by industry sector, United States

North America Waste Management Market Size & Share Analysis - Growth Trends & Forecasts (2024 - 2029)