Washington — May 27, 2026 — A new World Bank Group report, Waste, Reimagined: Practical Guidance for Digitalizing Waste Management, reveals how digital tools can help cities reduce waste‑management costs, improve service reliability, and advance circular‑economy goals.
The report underscores that global municipal solid waste is projected to rise by 50 percent by 2050, reaching nearly 3.9 billion tonnes. Without action, health and environmental impacts from uncollected waste and open dumping could cost $361 billion annually.
Digitalization, according to the report, is not just about technology but about data‑driven decision‑making that enhances transparency and financial sustainability. Tools such as GPS tracking, route optimization, mobile billing, and smart bins can help cities cut fuel use, improve fee collection, and engage citizens in recycling.
Case studies show tangible results:
- Battambang, Cambodia increased waste‑collection coverage from 40 percent to nearly 80 percent using digital billing and GPS tracking.
- Seoul, South Korea achieved a 98 percent food‑waste recycling rate through RFID‑based charging and IoT smart bins.
- Sfax, Tunisia reduced fuel use by up to 57 percent with route analytics.
- Cotonou, Benin improved collection by 9 percent using GPS‑enabled compliance monitoring.
- Barcelona, Spain modernized its urban waste system with integrated digital platforms and solar‑powered compacting bins, cutting emptying costs eightfold.
The report offers practical guidance for municipalities and waste companies on selecting and implementing digital tools across four areas: citizen engagement, collection logistics, facility management, and digital marketplaces.
Developed by the International Finance Corporation (IFC) and Eunomia Research and Consulting, with support from Korea, Japan, and Switzerland, the study emphasizes that successful digitalization requires strong governance, phased implementation, and sustained citizen participation.
