SDG #12 is to “Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns”
Within SDG #12 are 11 targets, of which we here focus on Target 12.5:
By 2030, substantially reduce waste generation through prevention, reduction, recycling and reuse
Target 12.5 has one indicator:
Indicator 12.5.1: National recycling rate, tons of material recycled
In the waste hierarchy, if we’ve neither prevented, reduced or reused waste, we at least need to ensure its recycled rather than go to landfill
A lot of countries don’t have data for the municipal waste recycled within their borders. The developed countries are the most pertinent, as they create the most waste. The biggest amount recycled were in Germany, France, Italy, South Africa, and the UK. Among the high-income countries OECD countries, the US and Canada didn’t have data. Nor did Australia and New Zealand, and Japan and South Korea.
The world recycled only 17% of its e-waste as of 2019, showing no reduction since the adoption of the SDGs.
