The Global Plastic Waste Management Market was valued at USD 30.84 Billion in 2024 and is projected to reach USD 42.10 Billion by 2032, growing at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 4.7% during the forecast period (2024–2032). This growth is being driven by stringent government regulations targeting plastic pollution, increasing corporate sustainability commitments, and accelerating investments in advanced recycling technologies to address the over 400 million metric tons of plastic waste generated annually.
As the global economy shifts toward circularity and environmental responsibility, the critical role of waste management corporations in creating sustainable material loops is undeniable. In this blog, we profile the Top 10 Companies in the Plastic Waste Management Industry—a mix of global waste giants, recycling innovators, and regional specialists pioneering solutions for a plastic-neutral future.
Download FREE Sample Report:
Plastic Waste Management Market – View in Detailed Research Report
🔟 1. Veolia Environnement
Headquarters: Paris, France
Key Offering: Integrated waste collection, recycling, energy recovery, and circular economy solutions
Veolia is the world’s largest environmental services company, holding a market share of approximately 1.5%. With operations spanning 48 countries and an annual revenue exceeding €42 billion from environmental services, Veolia manages the entire waste lifecycle. Its expertise covers advanced mechanical recycling, chemical recycling through pyrolysis, and converting non-recyclable waste into energy, serving millions of municipal and industrial clients globally.
Sustainability Initiatives:
-
Aiming to triple its plastic recycling capacity to 1.1 million tons by 2030
-
Developing over 50 advanced sorting facilities with AI and robotics
-
Committed to achieving net-zero carbon emissions across operations by 2050
9️⃣ 2. Suez Environnement
Headquarters: Paris, France (now part of Veolia)
Key Offering: Water and waste management, recycling, and recovery services
Following its merger with Veolia, Suez brings a formidable portfolio of waste management assets, particularly in Europe and Latin America. The company was renowned for its innovative recycling technologies and managed over 50 material recovery facilities (MRFs) with a focus on high-purity plastic output. The combined entity now creates a global leader in circular economy solutions.
Sustainability Initiatives:
-
Pioneered chemical recycling projects for complex plastics
-
Developed smart collection systems optimizing waste pickup routes
Download FREE Sample Report:
Plastic Waste Management Market – View in Detailed Research Report
8️⃣ 3. Waste Management, Inc.
Headquarters: Houston, Texas, USA
Key Offering: Comprehensive waste collection, recycling, landfill, and transfer station services
As North America’s leading provider, Waste Management operates over 100 MRFs and serves more than 21 million residential, commercial, and industrial customers. The company processes over 15 million tons of recyclables annually and is investing heavily in AI-powered sorting technologies that achieve up to 95% purity in plastic separation.
Sustainability Initiatives:
-
Investing $1 billion in recycling infrastructure by 2025
-
Aiming to increase plastic recovery rates by 20% through advanced sorting
-
Targeting 100% recyclable or reusable packaging from clients by 2030
7️⃣ 4. Republic Services
Headquarters: Phoenix, Arizona, USA
Key Offering: Recycling, non-hazardous solid waste collection, and disposal
Republic Services is the second-largest waste management provider in the U.S., operating 91 recycling processing centers. The company is at the forefront of integrating technology into waste management, utilizing machine learning and robotics to improve sorting efficiency and material quality for its extensive customer base.
Sustainability Initiatives:
-
Building North America’s first integrated polymer center in Las Vegas
-
Committed to increasing recycled content use in packaging by 50% by 2030
-
Investing in renewable natural gas projects from landfill operations
6️⃣ 5. Remondis SE & Co. KG
Headquarters: Lünen, Germany
Key Offering: Recycling, water management, and environmental services
Remondis is one of the world’s largest privately-owned recycling and water management companies, operating across Europe, Asia, and Australia. The company processes millions of tons of materials annually and is renowned for its closed-loop solutions, particularly in PET bottle-to-bottle recycling through joint ventures in key markets like China.
Sustainability Initiatives:
-
Developing advanced sorting facilities with near-infrared technology
-
Expanding international partnerships for plastic recycling infrastructure
-
Pioneering chemical recycling for mixed plastic waste streams
5️⃣ 6. Biffa plc
Headquarters: High Wycombe, United Kingdom
Key Offering: Waste collection, recycling, and recovery services
As a leading UK waste management company, Biffa plays a crucial role in the country’s circular economy, operating advanced plastic recycling facilities capable of producing food-grade recycled PET. The company manages over 7 million tons of waste annually and is investing significantly in UK recycling infrastructure to meet growing demand for recycled plastics.
Sustainability Initiatives:
-
Investing £1.25 billion in UK recycling infrastructure by 2030
-
Developing one of UK’s largest PET recycling plants
-
Aiming to quadruple UK plastic recycling capacity by 2030
Download FREE Sample Report:
Plastic Waste Management Market – View in Detailed Research Report
4️⃣ 7. Clean Harbors, Inc.
Headquarters: Norwell, Massachusetts, USA
Key Offering: Environmental, energy, and industrial services, including hazardous waste management
Clean Harbors specializes in handling complex waste streams, including hazardous and hard-to-recycle plastics. The company operates the largest network of hazardous waste treatment facilities in North America and provides critical services for industrial clients seeking compliant plastic waste disposal and recycling solutions.
Sustainability Initiatives:
-
Expanding capabilities for recycling industrial plastic containers
-
Developing specialized processes for contaminated plastic waste streams
-
Investing in advanced thermal treatment technologies
3️⃣ 8. Covanta Holding Corporation
Headquarters: Morristown, New Jersey, USA
Key Offering: Waste-to-energy services and sustainable waste management
Covanta is a leader in sustainable waste disposal through energy recovery, operating facilities that convert non-recyclable waste into clean energy. The company processes over 20 million tons of waste annually across North America, providing an essential solution for plastics that cannot be economically recycled through conventional means.
Sustainability Initiatives:
-
Developing advanced recycling projects alongside energy recovery
-
Pioneering carbon capture technology at waste-to-energy facilities
-
Partnering with municipalities to improve recycling rates
2️⃣ 9. Stericycle, Inc.
Headquarters: Bannockburn, Illinois, USA
Key Offering: Compliance-based waste management, including regulated medical waste
Stericycle specializes in managing regulated waste streams, including plastics from healthcare facilities that require specialized handling. The company serves healthcare organizations globally, ensuring compliant disposal and recycling of medical plastics while maintaining strict safety and regulatory standards.
Sustainability Initiatives:
-
Developing specialized recycling programs for medical plastics
-
Implementing waste tracking and reporting for healthcare clients
-
Expanding sustainable solutions for single-use medical device recycling
1️⃣ 10. China Recycling Development Co., Ltd.
Headquarters: Beijing, China
Key Offering: Comprehensive recycling services and resource regeneration
As a major player in the world’s largest plastic market, China Recycling Development plays a critical role in the country’s waste management ecosystem. The company benefits from China’s growing domestic recycling capacity following the National Sword Policy and is expanding its operations to handle the massive volumes of plastic waste generated within the country.
Sustainability Initiatives:
-
Expanding domestic recycling infrastructure post-import restrictions
-
Developing advanced sorting facilities for municipal waste streams
-
Partnering with international firms for technology transfer
Get Full Report Here:
Plastic Waste Management Market – View in Detailed Research Report
🌍 Outlook: The Future of Plastic Waste Management Is Circular and Technology-Driven
The plastic waste management market is undergoing a fundamental transformation. While traditional disposal methods still handle significant volumes, the industry is rapidly shifting toward circular economy models, advanced recycling technologies, and digital supply chain solutions that maximize resource recovery.
📈 Key Trends Shaping the Market:
-
Exponential growth in chemical recycling capacity across North America and Europe
-
Regulatory mandates for recycled content (25-30% by 2025-2030) creating stable demand
-
Digitalization through AI, IoT, and blockchain for traceability and efficiency
-
Corporate-waste management alliances for closed-loop packaging systems
Get Full Report Here:
Plastic Waste Management Market – View in Detailed Research Report
The companies listed above are not only managing global plastic waste—they’re building the infrastructure for a sustainable, circular future where plastic becomes a valuable resource rather than pollution.
- Top 10 Companies in the Ethyl 3-ethoxypropionate Market (2026): Market Leaders Driving Innovation in High-Performance Solvents - January 28, 2026
- Top 10 Companies in the Polyethylene Naphthalate (PEN) Industry (2026): Market Leaders Driving High-Performance Polymer Innovation - January 28, 2026
- Top 10 Companies in the Aircraft Jet Fuel Industry (2026): Market Leaders Powering Global Aviation - January 28, 2026
