New World Bank Group research highlights how digital waste management tools are helping municipalities and operators improve service reliability, reduce costs, and strengthen recycling systems.
The report, Waste, Reimagined: Practical Guidance for Digitalizing Waste Management, was developed by the International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group, in partnership with Eunomia, with support from the governments of Korea, Japan, and Switzerland.
Global waste systems are under increasing pressure. Municipal solid waste volumes are expected to rise by around 50 percent by 2050 – from 2.6 billion tonnes in 2022 to 3.9 billion tonnes. The cost of inaction is already estimated at $361 billion annually in health and environmental impacts from uncollected waste, open dumping, and burning.
This research shows how targeted investment in digital solutions can generate high-quality data, and deliver more reliable, transparent, and financially sustainable waste systems.
Digital tools can help municipalities and operators to:
- Optimise waste collection routes and reduce fuel use
- Improve billing systems and increase fee collection
- Monitor service delivery in real time
- Boost citizen engagement in recycling programmes
- Improve sorting efficiency and material recovery
- Enable traceability to support circular economy outcomes
The research draws on global case studies demonstrating measurable results, including:
- Battambang, Cambodia – digital billing, mobile payments, and GPS tracking improved service delivery
- Seoul, South Korea – RFID-based food waste charging and IoT smart bins improved accountability and lowered costs 83%
- Sfax, Tunisia – route analytics and telematics improved operational performance
- Cotonou, Benin – GPS tracking enhanced fleet management and reduced missed collections
- Barcelona, Spain – integrated digital platforms and smart bins strengthened system oversight
The report also provides practical guidance for implementing digital waste solutions across four key areas:
- Citizen and business engagement
- Collection and logistics optimisation
- Treatment and facility management
- Digital platforms and data marketplaces
Nicola Ainger, project manager at Eunomia, said: “Digital solutions can deliver low-cost, high-impact improvements when embedded within wider system reforms. Successful digitalisation depends on strong governance, effective data management, phased implementation, and ongoing engagement with citizens and businesses.”
Adrian Gibbs, project director, added: “Our research shows how digitalisation can act as a catalyst for wider system transformation – helping cities move beyond basic service provision towards more efficient, transparent, and circular waste management”.
Access the full report, Waste, Reimagined: Practical Guidance for Digitalizing Waste Management, via the IFC website.