Vital waste graphics

This publication provides a comprehensive overview of global waste generation, management and trade, drawing on data reported under the Basel Convention and related sources. It examines definitions and measurement challenges, trends in municipal and hazardous waste, and the life-cycle implications of production and consumption. The document analyses environmental and public health risks associated with landfills, mining, industrial processes and transboundary movements, including electronic and radioactive waste. It reviews regulatory frameworks, waste management strategies such as reduction, reuse and recycling, and the economic and social dimensions of waste handling. Case studies illustrate impacts in developing regions and highlight the need for improved reporting, governance and cleaner production practices.