Asia-Pacific Waste Management - Market Share Analysis, Industry Trends & Statistics, Growth Forecasts (2025 - 2030)

The Asia-Pacific Waste Management Market size is estimated at USD 118.53 billion in 2025, and is expected to reach USD 158.92 billion by 2030, at a CAGR of 6.04% during the forecast period (2025-2030).

Over the past 50 years, waste generation has risen across all nations. However, Japan and Korea have recently shown a decline. For example, Korea's ongoing Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) scheme mandates that product manufacturers collect and recycle the waste from their products. These governmental initiatives and regulations have helped waste management companies to operate effectively within the country.

Adopting cutting-edge technologies such as IoT, AI, and robotics in waste management processes is revolutionizing the industry. In September 2023, the Indian state of Meghalaya introduced an AI-enabled waste management method. The AI-enabled robotic boat collects vast quantities of garbage dumped in a lake. Compared to manual labor, this process is effective and less time-consuming.

The APAC region is seeing an increase in the demand for recycled materials. Countries are investing in advanced recycling technologies to process waste into reusable materials, creating new market opportunities for recycling businesses.

For instance, in May 2024, Ulsan College (UC) and the Ulsan International Development Cooperation Center (UIDCC) hosted a five-day capacity-building program in Ulsan, Republic of Korea, in partnership with the UNEP's International Environmental Technology Center. This event showcased advancements in plastic recycling technologies and emphasized community involvement in environmental initiatives.

Asia-Pacific Waste Management Market Trends

Plastic Waste Driving Waste Management in Asia-Pacific

• The Asia-Pacific region grapples with a staggering volume of mismanaged plastic waste, propelling a global call for more effective waste management solutions. This urgency accentuates the demand for advanced waste management technologies and infrastructure enhancements. Driven by this, private entities and governments increasingly invest in developing and deploying cutting-edge waste processing and recycling technologies.
• For instance, in 2024, China led the Asia-Pacific nations in mismanaged plastic waste, with an estimated 55 million metric tons. New Zealand stood out in the same year, accounting for 8.41 thousand metric tons of mismanaged plastic waste.
• In June 2024, an Australian federal committee made 22 recommendations to combat plastic pollution in the nation's water bodies. In November 2022, Australia's commitment to curbing plastic pollution was further underscored as it joined the High Ambition Coalition to End Plastic Pollution. This coalition aims to eradicate global plastic pollution by 2040 through a new treaty.
• These actions shape the waste management landscape in the Asia-Pacific and emphasize the pressing need for advanced recycling technologies, enhanced waste collection systems, and innovative waste reduction strategies.

China's Waste Management Initiatives Propel Market Growth and Innovation

• Data from the National Bureau of Statistics of China revealed that the nation had around 444 sanitary landfill sites as of 2022. Over the past decade, China has steadily increased its waste output, reaching approximately 244.5 million tons by 2022.
• Furthermore, the volume of regular solid industrial waste produced in China amounted to 41 billion metric tons in 2022. This surge in waste generation underscores the urgent need for advanced waste management technologies and services in China, a trend expected to drive growth and innovation in the APAC waste management market.
• China launched a nationwide waste sorting campaign in 2017 to address this waste challenge. By 2020, over 80 cities had fully implemented or were piloting mandatory sorting of municipal waste into categories such as food waste, recyclables, hazardous waste, and residuals. The plan is to extend this sorting system to all cities between 2025 and 2030. This initiative is expected to spur growth and innovation in the waste management sector, encouraging investments and technological advancements throughout the APAC region.

Asia-Pacific Waste Management Industry Overview

Local and global entities dominate the waste management market in Asia-Pacific, offering services spanning waste collection, recycling, and hazardous waste treatment. Industry behemoths like Suez Environment SA, Veolia Environmental Services, and Waste Management Inc. stand at the forefront, harnessing their vast expertise and cutting-edge technologies to deliver holistic waste management solutions across the region.

Meanwhile, regional players like Australia's Cleanaway Waste Management and Japan's Daiseki Co. Ltd also command notable market shares, tailoring their services to local demands and regulatory frameworks. Noteworthy entities such as BRISEA Group Inc., Attero, and Remondis AG & Co. Kg are championing advanced recycling and waste processing technologies. Collectively, these firms are reshaping the sector, infusing global best practices, championing sustainability, and meeting the surging need for effective waste management solutions in Asia-Pacific.

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