Which Countries Produce the Most Waste and Which Countries Recycle the Most?

With over eight billion people globally, it is estimated that the amount of waste produced each year could fill trucks that, if lined up, would circle the earth 24 times. That said, not all trash distribution is equal. Factors like population and population density, waste disposal infrastructure, climate, recycling availability, and consumer practices can significantly affect the amount of trash in an area and how much is reused or repurposed. Our team at Paper Boss has gathered data on trash and recycling management worldwide to examine which countries produce the most waste and which recycle the most materials. 

Key Takeaways from our study:

What country has the highest rate of recycling?

Germany is a leader in waste recycling. The country recycles an impressive 47% of its waste, averaging 290 kilograms per person yearly.

Where does Australia rank in recycling?

Australia is ranked #11 in the world, with the average amount of waste per person being 193.9 kilograms.

What country has the least recycling?

There is no recycling data for all the countries in the world. Among those countries where the data is available, Chile is the number one worst country for recycling.

Which country produces the most waste?

The country with the most waste generated per person annually is Bahrain, with 907 kilograms

Is Australia the most wasteful country

No, Australia is actually good at recycling the waste. It is ranked #9 top recycling country in the world. 30% of its waste is recycled.

Which 5 countries produce the most waste?

The top 5 countries that produce the most waste are:

1. Bahrain
2. Comoros
3. Canada
4. Denmark
5. United States

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Which Countries Produce the Most Trash?

The country with the most waste generated per person annually is Bahrain, with 907 kilograms. The population of Bahrain is around 1.6 million. Despite being the smallest nation in the Gulf Cooperation Council alongside countries like Saudi Arabia and Qatar, Bahrain produces more waste per person than any other country in the GCC. This can partly be attributed to Bahrain’s accelerated growth in population and infrastructure in recent years. As the population increases, more construction and industrial activities are taking place to accommodate this growth.

After Bahrain, Comoros is second in line for the most waste produced per person. Comoros is a country in Southeastern Africa with three islands and almost 900,000 people. Per person, the amount of waste generated is 813 kilograms. Comoros, however, is very aware of the issues surrounding waste management. In 2016, Comoros began the DECOR project to establish a sustainable solid waste management system that citizens can manage in the future. 

Which Countries Recycle the Most Trash?

Germany is recognized as a leader in waste management and recycling, and there are solid reasons for this distinction. The country recycles an impressive 47% of its waste, averaging 290 kilograms per person yearly. A strong recycling culture is cultivated early, with children being taught the importance of proper waste separation. Citizens who fail to separate their trash may incur fines or have their waste go uncollected. 

To facilitate recycling, Germany has implemented a system of color-coded bins for various materials. These include separate containers for paper and cardboard, beverage cartons, plastics, biodegradable and organic waste, as well as residual waste for anything that does not fit into the previous categories. Glass bottles are also carefully sorted into separate containers based on their color: white, green, and brown.

There is a city in Germany called Kiel that has been recognized as a "zero waste" city by the environmental organization Zero Waste Europe. In Kiel, there is a ban on single-use items, significantly reducing plastic waste in the environment. The city provides grants to residents to purchase reusable nappies as a replacement for disposable ones. Additionally, free reusable bags are offered for collecting fruits and vegetables, and a fee is charged based on the weight of the waste that is disposed of.

Singapore is behind Germany in terms of being another world leader in recycling. Fifty-nine percent of waste is recycled, equivalent to 286.4 kilograms per person each year. Despite limited space and a dense urban population, Singapore continues to rely on innovation in sustainability to increase recycling. The government, for example, has invested in extensive outreach programs to educate and encourage citizen participation in recycling. According to the 2021 National Environment Agency survey, three in five households in Singapore participate in recycling. Raising public awareness among a population is one of the most effective ways to increase recycling rates. 

Waste Management and Recycling in Australia

Australia is uniquely positioned in the world with its geography, as a significant portion of its land is uninhabitable to its residents and cannot be used for agriculture. This is due to the arid environment of much of the central land, where wildfires and droughts are increasingly more common due to a lack of rainfall. Most of the population has settled along the coastal lines, so these locations are where the population is dense and most waste is generated. In Australia, the average amount of waste per person is 193.9 kilograms. Of those 193.9 kilograms, 30.3% are recycled. 

According to Clean Up Australia, 89% of Australians consider recycling important, and 74% believe they are good at it. However, there are some misconceptions; for instance, 15% of respondents think that any item can be placed in the recycling bin and will be sorted at the recycling facility. 

The National Waste Report, released by the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW), is released every two years to provide an update on Australia’s waste management. According to DCCEEW’s 2022 report, Australia's recycling rate has increased by 57% over the last two years. However, Australia’s waste production has also increased by 20%. This increase in waste can be attributed to Australia’s growing population, which increased by 25% in the same period. 

Steps to improve the recycling rate in Australia will continue at all levels. Individuals can contribute by choosing sustainable packaging, especially for food items. It is important to avoid single-use plastics and foam whenever possible. Food scraps and organic matter can be used to create a compost pile, which can be used in gardening and landscaping while reducing the amount of organic waste in landfills. Additionally, clothes, furniture, and other household items can be sold and purchased secondhand. While these initiatives may seem small, collectively, they can lead to significant change over time.

Paper Boss is passionate about protecting the environment and is committed to providing sustainable, eco-friendly packaging supplies, including paper bags, food packaging, shipping supplies, and so much more.

World Countries Ranked by Waste Generated per Person

And the Percentage of Waste That is Recycled*

The Countries That Recycle the Most Waste per Person (kg/year)