OECD Factbook 2008
Economic, Environmental and Social Statistics
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Municipal waste
The amount of municipal waste generated in a country is related to the rate of urbanisation, the types and patterns of consumption, household revenue and lifestyles. While municipal waste is only one part of total waste generated, its management and treatment often absorbs more than one third of the public sector’s financial efforts to abate and control pollution. The main environmental concerns relate to the potential impact from inappropriate waste management on human health and the environment (soil and water contamination, air quality, land use and landscape). Kilogrammes of municipal waste per capita – or “waste generation intensities” – are broad indicators of potential environmental pressure. They should be complemented with information on waste management practices and costs, and on consumption levels and patterns.
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