The Global Waste Index (GWI), developed by Sensoneo, provides an in-depth comparison of waste management across the 38 OECD member countries. The 2025 edition arrives in a context shaped by inflation, conflict, and ongoing environmental challenges, measuring how countries handle municipal solid waste through four key factors: generation, recycling, incineration, and landfilling, expressed in kilograms per capita per year.
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The Worst Performers: Landfill-Heavy Nations
Israel ranks last in the 2025 index, generating 650 kg of waste per person annually, of which a striking 524 kg is landfilled, the highest landfill reliance of all countries surveyed. Chile follows closely, recycling almost none of its waste and disposing of the majority in landfills.
The United States also performs poorly, producing 951 kg per person annually, up from 811 kg in the last index. Nearly half of this is landfilled. Canada’s numbers show a similar pattern, with two-thirds of waste ending up in landfills. These results place North America among the lowest-ranked regions for waste management.
Top Performers: Japan, South Korea, and Estonia
On the opposite end of the spectrum, Japan leads the index, climbing from seventh place in 2022. Its success is tied to low waste generation and minimal landfilling, with much of its waste handled through incineration.
South Korea secures second place, standing out for having the highest recycling rate of all OECD countries at 54 %. Estonia takes third, with almost no waste sent to landfill, a major improvement compared to previous years.
Scandinavian nations such as Sweden and Finland, as well as Germany and Austria in the DACH region, also achieve strong results, driven by efficient recycling and advanced incineration infrastructure.
Shifts Since 2022: Progress and Setbacks
Several countries saw significant changes since the last index. Belgium and Austria experienced sharp increases in per capita waste generation, both exceeding 200 kg growth. Despite this, Austria achieved a remarkable increase in recycling, reaching 334 kg per capita, or 42 % of its total waste, even before introducing its national deposit return system.
New Zealand showed one of the most notable improvements by cutting its landfilling volumes by 423 kg per capita per year, signaling a decisive move away from landfill reliance. Conversely, countries such as Hungary, Israel, and the United States recorded increased landfill usage, reflecting ongoing challenges.
Deposit Return Systems: A Key Driver of Success
The 2025 index highlights the impact of Deposit Return Schemes (DRS) on waste management outcomes. Countries with well-established systems, including Estonia, Germany, Finland, Sweden, and Norway, consistently rank near the top.
Recent years have seen a surge in adoption: Romania launched a system in 2023, followed by Ireland and Hungary in 2024, and Austria in 2025. These systems are proving essential in improving collection rates for beverage containers and in reinforcing broader circular economy practices.
Incineration as an Alternative to Landfilling
Incineration remains a crucial tool for waste management, particularly for non-recyclable materials. Modern waste-to-energy plants not only reduce volumes by up to 90 % but also generate electricity and heating. In addition, 19 of the 38 surveyed countries incinerate more than they landfill.
At the other extreme, more than half of municipal waste in countries such as Israel, Canada, Greece, Chile, Turkey, Costa Rica, Colombia, Hungary, Portugal, Mexico, and Australia still ends up in landfills, an unsustainable reliance with long-term environmental risks.
Conclusion
The Global Waste Index 2025 confirms that while some countries are making progress in reducing landfill reliance and boosting recycling, others continue to struggle with mounting waste volumes. Japan, South Korea, and Estonia demonstrate that strong policies, infrastructure, and circular systems can drive positive outcomes.
For packaging and waste management stakeholders, the index underscores two urgent imperatives: reduce waste generation at the source and strengthen recycling systems, particularly through proven mechanisms like DRS. Ultimately, achieving lasting progress will require coordinated efforts from businesses, governments, and consumers alike.
