Waste Recycling Services Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Application (Industrial, Municipal), By Product (Paper & Paperboard, Plastics), By Region (APAC, EU, MEA), And Segment Forecasts, 2020 - 2028

Report Overview

The global waste recycling services market size to be valued at USD 81.3 billion by 2028 and is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.2% during the forecast period. The rising consumer awareness pertaining to the benefits of garbage recycling is anticipated to have a positive impact on the market growth over the forecast period. During the COVID-19 pandemic, impositions of lockdown gave rise to a new type of waste known as pandemic waste, which includes gloves, masks, and respirators along with their packaging, which increased the waste generated due to the disruptions in the waste collection activities.

Ease in the movement restriction by the governments of various countries has formulated policies to tackle the waste, which is expected to complement the market growth. The pandemic has led to the panic buying of essentials, such as food, toilet papers, and cleaning products, which increased the waste generated during the lockdowns and also increased the demand for single-use plastics in the U.S.The pandemic has disrupted the U.S. waste recycling industry owing to the limitations on commercial activities.

Rising concerns regarding waste management, coupled with increasing challenges pertaining to waste disposal, are expected to drive the demand for waste recycling services over the forecast period. The adoption of rigorous laws has accelerated research and development initiatives in waste recycling, which is expected to promote market growth over the forecast period. Increasing awareness about effective waste disposal for the preservation of animal and human health has resulted in the development of numerous disposal methods and procedures.

The presence of high amounts of hazardous chemicals in the trash, such as metals and salts, has compelled the waste generating companies to dispose of or recycle the waste in a timely way. Urban population growth and increased disposable incomes are predicted to drive the domestic housing sector across the world. As a result, upgrading the housing sector will improve the penetration of these recycling services, which, in turn, will boost the market growth over the forecast period.

Waste Recycling Services Market Trends

Globally, there has been a rapidly rising demand for electronic devices of all types across both commercial and household spaces. The increased adoption of advanced digital technologies has driven the global production as well as consumption of related devices, which has led to the generation of a high volume of e-waste, which is known to contain certain hazardous materials that include beryllium, calcium, and lead. As such, e-wastes need special attention when it comes to waste disposal and recycling. The rapidly growing e-waste volume is poised to advance the market for waste recycling services globally during the assessment period.

The e-commerce business generates a large amount of paper and cardboard packaging trash, which could present several potential opportunities for players in the market globally. However, in most situations, products manufactured from recycled substances are of poor quality. This may diminish the demand for recycled items, posing a significant challenge to companies in the global market.

Product Insights

The paper &paperboard segment led the market and accounted for more than 41% of the global revenue share in 2020, owing to the increased generation of paper waste through packaging, newspapers, and containers. Changing consumer trends and demographic growth have boosted the growth of the e-commerce sectors, thereby augmenting the packaging demand. This, in turn, is expected to have a positive impact on the recycling of paper & paperboard over the forecast period.

Growing awareness pertaining to plastic pollution and sustainable waste management through various campaigns and programs is expected to drive the overall plastic recycling market. Factors, such as appropriate legislation, adequate funding, strong technical support, and public awareness, are expected to boost the demand for plastic waste recycling services.

The bulbs, batteries &electronics segment is likely to register a CAGR of 6.7% over the forecast period. The demand for electronics, such as screens, mobiles, telecommunication devices, laptops, and refrigerators, has increased significantly due to falling prices of electronics, rising disposable incomes, and early replacement of electronics. This has increased electronic waste and boosted the demand for e-waste recycling, which is expected to drive market growth.

Electronic waste is another category of waste that is expected to grow at a faster rate. E-waste is different from municipal or industrial waste and consists of all types of electronic equipment and devices. They are likely to contain potentially harmful materials, including metals, such as lead, cadmium, and beryllium, owing to which e-waste requires specialized waste management treatment for reuse.

Application Insights

The municipal segment led the market and accounted for 53.4% of the global revenue share in 2020. Municipalities are undertaking favorable policy decision for waste management that provides an opportunity not only to avoid the negative effects of waste, but also to recover resources, realize economic, environmental, & social advantages, and take a step towards a more sustainable future, thereby augmenting the market growth.

Each country’s municipalities treat domestic trash extensively. The trash disposal/recycling networks of municipalities pose a significant obstacle for private enterprises seeking to enter the residential and commercial sectors. Companies, on the other hand, are recycling garbage generated by these industries through public-private partnerships.

The demand for waste recycling in industrial applications is likely to grow at the fastest CAGR of 5.9% over the forecast period. Increased investments in various industries, as well as stringent rules governing discharges from these businesses, are expected to drive the demand for waste recycling services in industrial applications. Furthermore, high demand for agro-based products and organic meals is likely to boost the market growth over the forecast period.

Waste reduction, reuse, recovery, and recycling are effective and high-impact methods of lowering Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions. Waste recycling provides an alternate source of raw resources for the industry, resulting in the reduction in the demand for virgin resources, extraction, transportation, and processing, which contribute significantly to global emissions.

Regional Insights

The market in developing regions is estimated to grow owing to the increasing awareness, coupled with efforts undertaken by government authorities for efficient waste recycling. Asia Pacific led the market and accounted for 39.9% of the global revenue share in 2020. The population expansion and rapid industrialization& urbanization have resulted in a significant increase in the usage of natural resources and waste generation. The region is home to 28 megacities, each with a population of more than 10 million people.

All these factors are likely to boost the demand for waste recycling services in the region over the forecast period. The demand for such services in India is expected to grow at a considerable CAGR over the forecast period. India is regarded as one of the key markets for these services, owing to rapid industrialization, growing population, and economic growth, which has contributed to increased waste generation. Positive changes in the country’s economic conditions are projected to boost industry development over the forecast period.

Europe and North America are expected to account for a significant share in the overall waste recycling services market on account of developed infrastructure and stringent regulations mandating waste management across various industries. Germany has the highest global recycling rate, followed by South Korea, Austria, and Wales. These countries recycle more than 52% of their municipal garbage, whereas the U.S. has a recycling rate of 34.3%, which is predicted to rise significantly over the forecast period as a result of the increased awareness raised by green revolutionists, governments, and charitable groups.

Key Companies & Market Share Insights

Few organizations in the industry offer services, such as vendor agnostics, products, and recycling equipment. These businesses strive to recruit more clients to expand their consumer base and provide individualized services to maintain customer loyalty. Furthermore, to win special projects, businesses sign public-private partnership contracts with the government.

The vast majority of publicly traded companies are vertically integrated throughout the supply chain, including garbage collection, transportation, and disposal services. As a result, operational costs are reduced and profit margins are increased, allowing enterprises to gain a considerable market share. Some prominent players in the global waste recycling services market include:

• Eurokey Recycling, Ltd.

• Northstar Recycling

• Triple M Metal LP

• Amdahl Corp.

• Interface, Inc.

• Covanta

• Epson, Inc.

• Collins & Aikman

• Xerox Corp.

• Fetzer Vineyards

• Biffa

Recent Developments

• In January 2023, Xerox acquired Advanced UK, a hardware and managed print services provider and long-standing Xerox Platinum partner. This acquisition allowed Xerox to further vertically integrate, continue to strengthen its presence in the UK, & provide continuity to Advanced UK’s customer base.

• In January 2023, Covanta acquires Massachusetts-Based global cycle and global remediation services, advancing expansion into the highly regulated new England market, acquiring Massachusetts-based regional leaders in wastewater treatment, recycling, and environmental services.

• In December 2022, Covanta acquired three companies across engineered fuels, with logistics and waste–to–product operation, dramatically assorted, and expanded its environmental offerings and market reach.

• In November 2022, Eurokey Recycling Ltd, a part of the Reconomy Group, declared planned to invest £15 million in the UK’s first ‘supermarket sorting line’ innovation and creative development specifically to retrieve and recycle disposed plastics arising from supermarket, grocery and retail sector.    

Waste Recycling Services Market Report Scope

Global Waste Recycling Services Market Segmentation

This report forecasts revenue growth at global, regional, and country levels and provides an analysis of the latest industry trends in each of the sub-segments from 2017 to 2028. For the purpose of this study, Grand View Research has segmented the global waste recycling services market report on the basis of product, application, and region.

• Product Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2017 - 2028)

  • Paper & Paperboard

  • Metals

  • Plastics

  • Glass

  • Food

  • Bulbs, Batteries & Electronics

  • Yard Trimmings

  • Others

• Application Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2017 - 2028)

  • Municipal

  • Industrial

  • Others

• Regional Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2017 - 2028)

  • North America

    • U.S.

    • Canada

    • Mexico

  • Europe

    • Germany

    • France

    • Italy

    • U.K.

    • The Netherlands

  • Asia Pacific

    • China

    • India

    • Japan

    • Australia

  • Central & South America

    • Brazil

    • Argentina

  • Middle East & Africa

    • South Africa

    • Saudi Arabia