Data Sources
The GWMO data set is a composite from existing data sources which are either international, interregional or national.
The major sources for the composite data set are:
- World Bank (2016). What A Waste Global Database. https://datacatalog.worldbank.org/search/dataset/0039597
- Kawai, K., & Tasaki, T. (2016). Revisiting estimates of municipal solid waste generation per capita and their reliability. Journal of Material Cycles and Waste Management, 18, 1-13.
- United Nations Statistics Division (2022). https://unstats.un.org/unsd/envstats/country_files
- Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (2021). https://data.oecd.org/
- Eurostat (2023). https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/statistics-explained/index.php?title=Waste_statistics
Integration with SDG 12.5.1 Reporting
The GWMO dataset strategically aligns with SDG Indicator 12.5.1 (National recycling rate) to strengthen global waste management monitoring. This integration enhances SDG reporting through:
- Standardized benchmarks: Our income-classified recycling metrics (50% for higher-income countries) provide reference points for national performance assessment
- Data supplementation: Regional aggregates serve as evidence-based proxies where direct country reporting remains incomplete
- Circular economy metrics: Our quantitative analyses of waste management practices directly support measurement of transition toward resource-efficient economies
This alignment incorporates SDG 12.5.1 methodological frameworks while maintaining compatibility with the UNEP/UNSD Joint Questionnaire system, enabling the GWMO platform to serve as both a comprehensive waste management resource and an effective contributor to sustainable development monitoring.