Report on the Global Plastic Waste Management Market and its Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals

Market Overview and Projections

The global Plastic Waste Management Market is estimated to be valued at USD 39.37 billion in 2025 and is projected to reach USD 49.42 billion by 2032. This represents a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.3% from 2025 to 2032. This market expansion is critically linked to the global effort to address plastic pollution and advance the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Contribution to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

The plastic waste management sector is integral to achieving several key SDGs by transforming a linear economic model of “take-make-dispose” into a circular one that prioritizes sustainability.

• SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production): The market’s core function is to establish sustainable patterns of consumption and production. By facilitating the collection, recycling, and reuse of plastic materials, the industry directly supports the transition to a circular economy, reducing the demand for virgin resources and minimizing waste generation.
• SDG 14 (Life Below Water): Effective plastic waste management is a primary strategy for preventing plastic debris from entering oceans and waterways. This directly mitigates harm to marine biodiversity, protects aquatic ecosystems, and addresses a significant threat to marine life.
• SDG 15 (Life on Land): Proper management, including secure landfills and advanced recycling, prevents plastic pollution on land, protecting terrestrial ecosystems, preventing soil contamination, and safeguarding biodiversity.
• SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities): The industry provides essential infrastructure for waste collection and processing in urban areas. This contributes to cleaner, healthier, and more resilient cities by managing waste generated by residential and commercial sources.
• SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure): Growth in this market is driven by significant investment in innovative technologies for sorting, cleaning, and recycling plastics. The development of this resilient infrastructure is fundamental to building a sustainable industrial base.
• SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth): The expansion of the waste management and recycling sector creates jobs across the value chain, from collection to processing, fostering sustainable economic growth.

Market Segmentation Analysis

The market is segmented based on the services provided, the types of plastic processed, and the sources of waste, each presenting unique challenges and opportunities for contributing to the SDGs.

By Service

• Collection
• Recycling
• Incineration
• Landfills

By Polymer Type

• Polypropylene (PP)
• Low-density Polyethylene (LDPE)
• High-density Polyethylene (HDPE)
• Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC)
• Polyurethane (PUR)
• Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET)
• Others

By Source

• Residential
• Commercial
• Industrial

Regional Market Analysis

The market’s performance is evaluated across major global regions, where growth is shaped by distinct economic factors, regulatory landscapes, and regional commitments to environmental and sustainability targets.

• North America (U.S., Canada, Mexico)
• Europe (Germany, U.K., France, Italy, Russia, Spain, Rest of Europe)
• Asia-Pacific (China, India, Japan, Singapore, Australia, New Zealand, Rest of APAC)
• South America (Brazil, Argentina, Rest of SA)
• Middle East & Africa (Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Iran, UAE, Africa, Rest of MEA)

Competitive Landscape

The market is composed of numerous key players whose strategies and operations are pivotal in advancing global waste management capabilities and achieving sustainability objectives. These organizations are at the forefront of developing and implementing solutions to the plastic waste crisis.

Key Market Participants Include:

• Veolia
• SUEZ Group
• Waste Management
• Waste Connections
• CLEAN HARBORS INC.
• Biffa
• Covanta Holding Corporation
• Stericycle
• REMONDIS SE & Co. KG
• Republic Services Inc.
• Cleanaway
• Hawkvale Limited
• FCC Environment
• Rumpke
• DS Smith
• Hitachi Transport System Ltd.
• Marius Pedersen a.s.
• Environmental Recovery Corporation of PA
• Shell
• Montello S.p.A.
• The Shakti Plastic Industries
• Daya Charan Company
• Thermowaste Solutions
• Banyan Sustainable Waste Management Pvt. Ltd.
• Premium Recycled Plastics
• VITAL WASTE
• SAMKI GROUP
• 99P Recycling

SDGs Addressed in the Article

1. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

   • The article focuses on the “Plastic Waste Management Market,” which is a critical component of municipal services. It explicitly mentions waste sources as “Residential, Commercial, Industrial,” directly aligning with the management of waste generated within cities and human settlements.

2. SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production

   • The core topic is managing the lifecycle of plastic products after consumption. The market segmentation by service, including “Collection, Recycling, Incineration, Landfills,” addresses the need for environmentally sound management of waste, a key principle of this goal. The focus on “Recycling” directly supports the goal’s aim to reduce waste generation.

3. SDG 14: Life Below Water

   • Although not mentioned directly, managing plastic waste from “land-based activities” (as identified by the sources: Residential, Commercial, Industrial) is the primary method to “prevent and significantly reduce marine pollution,” particularly plastic debris, which is a major threat to marine ecosystems.

4. SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure

   • The article describes a significant industrial sector dedicated to waste management, involving major companies like “Veolia,” “SUEZ Group,” and “Waste Management.” It discusses “technological developments, and strategic innovations” within this industry, which represents the infrastructure required for sustainable industrial processes.

5. SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

   • The article frames plastic waste management as a growing economic market, providing specific financial data: “estimated to be valued at USD 39.37 Bn in 2025 and is expected to reach USD 49.42 Bn in 2032.” This highlights the economic activity and growth potential of the sector, contributing to overall economic growth.

Specific Targets Identified

1. Target 11.6: Reduce the environmental impact of cities

   • This target aims to reduce the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities, with a special focus on “municipal and other waste management.” The article’s entire scope is the plastic waste management market, which deals with waste from “Residential, Commercial, [and] Industrial” sources, directly addressing this target.

2. Target 12.5: Substantially reduce waste generation

   • This target calls for reducing waste generation through “prevention, reduction, recycling and reuse.” The article’s market segmentation explicitly includes “Recycling” as a key service, indicating a direct connection to this target. The analysis of different polymer types like “PET” and “HDPE” is fundamental to establishing effective recycling streams.

3. Target 14.1: Reduce marine pollution

   • This target focuses on preventing marine pollution from land-based activities. The management of plastic waste from “Residential, Commercial, Industrial” sources, as discussed in the article, is the crucial first step in preventing this waste from entering waterways and becoming marine debris.

4. Target 9.4: Upgrade infrastructure and industries for sustainability

   • This target promotes upgrading infrastructure and retrofitting industries for greater sustainability and adoption of clean technologies. The article’s discussion of the waste management industry, including services like “Recycling” and “Incineration” and the companies that provide them, pertains to the development of the specialized infrastructure needed to achieve this target.

Indicators for Measuring Progress

1. Market Value and Growth Rate

   • The article provides explicit financial metrics that can serve as indicators of economic activity and investment in waste management infrastructure (relevant to SDG 8 and 9). These include the market’s current and projected value (“USD 39.37 Bn in 2025” and “USD 49.42 Bn in 2032”) and its “compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.3%.”

2. Proportion of Waste Managed by Service Type

   • The market segmentation by service (“Collection, Recycling, Incineration, Landfills”) implies that the market share of each service can be measured. An increase in the market share of “Recycling” over “Landfills” would be a direct indicator of progress towards Target 12.5.

3. Volume of Waste Managed by Source

   • The segmentation by source (“Residential, Commercial, Industrial”) implies that data exists on the amount of plastic waste being managed from each sector. This data is crucial for Indicator 11.6.1 (Proportion of municipal solid waste collected and managed in controlled facilities).

Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: openpr.com