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The latest United Nations report, the Global Waste Management Outlook 2024, reveals alarming statistics about the state of municipal solid waste worldwide, but it also offers a beacon of hope. Titled "Global Waste Management Outlook for Youth," the report underscores the crucial role young people must play in addressing the global waste crisis.

A Burgeoning Problem

Every year, human settlements across the globe generate over two billion tonnes of municipal solid waste. To visualize this staggering amount, if packed into shipping containers, it could stretch to the moon and back or circle the Earth 25 times. This waste, including food scraps, packaging, textiles, and electronic products, not only fills landfills but also contributes significantly to climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution.

Youth: A Vital Force for Change

The new report emphasizes the necessity of involving the younger generations in waste management. With one in three people on the planet under 20, their involvement is not just beneficial but essential. Youth are urged to grasp the long-term impacts of waste on the environment, ecosystems, and human health, making them key players in driving global change.

Impact on Climate and Health

The report highlights that improper waste management exacerbates climate change. For instance, food waste in landfills emits methane, a potent greenhouse gas. Burning waste releases black soot, contributing to ice melting in polar regions and rising sea levels. Additionally, uncontrolled waste disposal pollutes air and water, leading to health issues that affect millions globally.

The State of Global Waste Management

In 2020, 30% of global waste ended up in landfills, 13% was processed through waste-to-energy facilities, and a staggering 38% was uncontrolled—either dumped or burned informally. Alarmingly, only 19% of waste was composted, and a mere 20% was recycled. This inadequate management exacerbates environmental and health problems, especially in lower-income communities where waste collection services are often non-existent.

Typically, waste is handled in one of the following ways:

• Recycling: Single materials, such as paper, are processed and turned into new products.

• Composting: Food and garden waste decompose to create a soil conditioner.

• Landfill: Waste is buried in designated areas with safeguards to prevent pollution. However, decomposing food waste can release methane, a potent greenhouse gas.

• Waste-to-Energy: Waste is incinerated to generate heat for electricity. This process produces toxic ash, which must be disposed of in a hazardous waste landfill.

• Open Dumping: Waste is discarded on open land or in rivers, leading to environmental issues like pollution of agricultural areas, harm to wildlife, vermin attraction, drain blockages, and marine pollution.

Image Source: UNEP Global Waste Management Report 2024

A Call to Action for Youth

To combat these challenges, the report proposes several actions that youth can take:

• • Advocacy and Policy Influence: Encourage governments to ban unnecessary and polluting products and support extended producer responsibility programs. Push for policies that integrate waste prevention and recycling into climate commitments.

  • Business Engagement: Demand that businesses adopt sustainable practices, such as refillable packaging and redesigns that minimize waste.

  • Campus Initiatives: Establish sustainability clubs, conduct waste audits, run awareness campaigns, and implement composting programs at schools and universities.

  • Community Involvement: Organize cleanup events, promote the use of refillable products, and separate waste for better recycling and composting.

  • Entrepreneurship and Innovation: Develop new technologies and business models focused on zero waste. This includes apps for waste collection, refill services, up-cycling, and utilizing food waste for compost or renewable energy.

Looking Forward

The Global Waste Management Outlook 2024 emphasizes that while the current waste management system is flawed and costly—spending approximately $360 billion annually—the path to a sustainable future is clear. By adopting a circular economy and reducing waste, significant savings and environmental benefits can be achieved.

As the world faces escalating waste challenges, the call for youth to lead the charge in creating a zero-waste future has never been more urgent. The future of our planet—and the health of all its inhabitants—depends on it.