Waste by country
Encyclopedia
Waste
, unwanted or unusable material, varies in type and quantity in the different countries around the world.
Electronic waste
is commonly shipped to developing countries for recycling, reuse or disposal. The Basel Convention
is a Multilateral Environmental Agreement
to prevent problematic waste disposal in countries that have weaker environmental protection laws. The Convention has not prevented the formation of e-waste village
s.
Waste
Waste is unwanted or useless materials. In biology, waste is any of the many unwanted substances or toxins that are expelled from living organisms, metabolic waste; such as urea, sweat or feces. Litter is waste which has been disposed of improperly...
, unwanted or unusable material, varies in type and quantity in the different countries around the world.
Developed nations
Developed countries produce more waste per capita because they have higher levels of consumption. There are higher proportions of plastics, metals, and paper in the municipal solid waste stream and there are higher labour costs. As countries continue developing, there is a reduction in biological solid waste and ash. Per capita waste generation in OECD countries has increased by 14% since 1990, and 35% since 1980. Waste generation generally grows at a rate slightly lower than GDP in these countries. Developed countries consume more than 60% of the world industrial raw materials and only comprise 22% of the world's population.Developing nations
Developing nations produce lower levels of waste per capita with a higher proportion of organic material in the municipal solid waste stream. If measured by weight, organic (biodegradable) residue constitutes at least 50% of waste in developing countries. Labour costs are relatively low but waste management is generally a higher proportion of municipal expenditure. As urbanization continues, municipal solid waste grows faster than urban populations because of increasing consumption and shortening product life spans.Transboundary issues with waste
Waste is shipped between countries for disposal and this can create problems in the target country.Electronic waste
Electronic waste
Electronic waste, e-waste, e-scrap, or Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment describes discarded electrical or electronic devices. There is a lack of consensus as to whether the term should apply to resale, reuse, and refurbishing industries, or only to product that cannot be used for its...
is commonly shipped to developing countries for recycling, reuse or disposal. The Basel Convention
Basel Convention
The Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal, usually known simply as the Basel Convention, is an international treaty that was designed to reduce the movements of hazardous waste between nations, and specifically to prevent transfer of...
is a Multilateral Environmental Agreement
Multilateral Environmental Agreement
A multilateral environmental agreement is a legally binding agreement between three or more states relating to the environment. They are predominantly produced by the United Nations...
to prevent problematic waste disposal in countries that have weaker environmental protection laws. The Convention has not prevented the formation of e-waste village
E-waste village
Developed countries such as the US, Canada, European nations, Australia, South Korea and Japan have replaced massive amounts of obsolete electronic equipments and home appliances with newer versions, creating a huge E-waste problem for the global environment...
s.
See also
- LitterLitterLitter consists of waste products such as containers, papers, wrappers or faeces which have been disposed of without consent. Litter can also be used as a verb...
- Fly-tippingFly-tippingFly-tipping is a British term for dumping waste illegally instead of in an authorised rubbish dump. It is the illegal deposit of any waste onto land, i.e...
- Environmental dumpingEnvironmental dumpingEnvironmental dumping is the practice of transfrontier shipment of waste from one country to another. The goal is to take the waste to a country that has less strict environmental laws, or environmental laws that are not strictly enforced...
- Marine pollutionMarine pollutionMarine pollution occurs when harmful, or potentially harmful effects, can result from the entry into the ocean of chemicals, particles, industrial, agricultural and residential waste, noise, or the spread of invasive organisms. Most sources of marine pollution are land based...
- Marine debrisMarine debrisMarine debris, also known as marine litter, is human created waste that has deliberately or accidentally become afloat in a lake, sea, ocean or waterway. Oceanic debris tends to accumulate at the centre of gyres and on coastlines, frequently washing aground, when it is known as beach litter or...
- Waste managementWaste managementWaste management is the collection, transport, processing or disposal,managing and monitoring of waste materials. The term usually relates to materials produced by human activity, and the process is generally undertaken to reduce their effect on health, the environment or aesthetics...
- UK Domestic Recycling PolicyUK Domestic Recycling PolicyA recycling policy is a strategy implemented by an organisation, company or government which covers everything related to recycling, including the methods to be used, the recycling targets that are to be met and other issues including transport and processing costs....