Solid Waste Management and Landfill in High-Income Countries

Abstract

The generation of solid waste (SW) has a direct connection with the monetary status of individuals and shows in terms of gross domestic product (GDP)/gross national income (GNI). The high-income countries (HICs) have shown a lingering generation of solid waste, mainly municipal solid waste (MSW). The MSW of HICs include organic biodegradable, paper, plastic metal, glass, and other inert waste and reported higher for the United States of America (50.70%), Canada (47%), Germany (22%), Canada (13%), Germany (12%), and Hungary (35%). The solid waste generation (kg/capita/day) was reported remarkably higher in Italy (59.83), followed by Australia (8.47), Switzerland (8.08), Hong Kong (7.18), Denmark, Singapore, and Lithuania. The treatment processes such as composting, landfilling or controlled dumping, recycling, and incineration were commonly followed by the HICs. The HICs are spending 82–250 USD/ton, 70–200 USD/ton, 65–150 USD/ton, 40–100 USD/ton, and 35–90 USD/ton for waste collection, waste to energy conversation, anaerobic digestion, sanitary landfill, and composting, respectively. The HICs such as the USA, Canada, Scotland, UK, Northern Ireland, and European Union have strict guidelines and rules for landfilling. The US Environmental Protection Agency has restricted the open dumping process by enforcing laws, administrative actions, and punishments with penalties. The strict restrictions are also effected to dispose bio-hazardous materials and substances generated from demolition/renovation of the building. Other side, adoption of emerging techniques plays significant role in circular economy for high-income countries.