According to a recent forecast, the global market volume in this sector is set to rise to 45.2 billion US dollars by 2033.

The recently published study on the global market for plastic waste management was compiled by the global market research and consultancy firm Persistent Market Research. According to the analysis, the global market is expected to reach a volume of US$34.6 billion in 2026 and grow to US$45.2 billion by 2033, corresponding to an average annual growth rate of 3.9 per cent, Persistent Market Research reports. According to the study, this development is driven by rising plastic consumption in the packaging, automotive, construction, consumer goods and textile industries, as well as strict regulatory measures such as restrictions on single-use plastics and Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR). The authors of the study believe that the increasing shift towards a circular economy and investment in advanced recycling infrastructure will support the long-term growth of the global plastic waste management market. As the industry seeks efficient and scalable waste management solutions, advanced recycling technologies such as pyrolysis, depolymerisation and gasification will remain a key growth catalyst for the global plastic waste management market, the report adds. The industry would increasingly adopt circular economy strategies that focus on the reuse and recycling of plastic materials rather than relying on virgin plastic. This shift was creating significant opportunities for waste management companies and providers of recycling technologies. Added to this were voluntary commitments by major consumer brands to use recycled plastics in packaging and manufacturing to meet sustainability targets and legal requirements. However, the global market for plastic waste management was highly competitive. According to the study, leading companies are focusing on technological innovations, the expansion of recycling capacities, strategic partnerships and sustainability initiatives to strengthen their market positions. There was also increasing investment in modern recycling facilities, smart waste collection systems and waste-to-energy technologies to meet the rising global demand for sustainable waste management solutions.
 
The full study is available at a price ranging from €2,405 to €7,311, depending on the licence.
 
Further information: a free sample report can be requested via the Persistent Market Research website
 
Sources:

• Persistent Market Research press release (19.5.2026)
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