By 2050, the world is expected to generate 3.40 billion tonnes of waste annually, increasing drastically from today’s 2.01 billion tonnes. What a Waste presents national and urban waste management data from around the world and highlights the need for urgent action.

This report was prepared in support of GGGI’s Green Cities Development Program in Lao PDR. Following a request of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic (henceforth Lao PDR) Government, GGGI has been conducting a green city pilot program in the capital city, Vientiane, to demonstrate how this concept could be implemented in the Lao context.

Humans generate millions of tons of waste every day. This waste is rich in water, nutrients, energy and organic compounds. Yet waste is not being managed in a way that permits us to derive value from its reuse, whilst millions of farmers struggle with depleted soils and lack of water.

Properly managed sanitation systems and improved wastewater treatment are important for safeguarding environment and enhancing sustainable livelihoods in vast areas of South and Southeast Asian countries.

Every day, African cities create thousands of tonnes of organic waste that could be monetised.

The production of Renewable Natural Gas (RNG) from organic waste for use as a vehicle fuel is an emerging strategy that businesses, states, and municipalities in the United States are pursuing to make use of waste-derived methane and lower the carbon footprint of vehicle fleets.

Cities could tackle the global problem of rising levels of waste and depleted resources by using organic waste, such as bananas, potatoes and maize as building materials, Arup predicts. Globally the construction industry is one of the largest users of raw materials; in the UK alone it accounts for 60 per cent of all raw materials consumed.