From Waste to Warming: A Review of Solid Waste Mismanagement.

Solid waste mismanagement is often an overlooked source of anthropogenic greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. This narrative review collates evidence from peer-reviewed and Scopus-indexed literature to explore (i) the contribution of GHG emissions from MSW disposal, specifically landfill CH4 and open burning, (ii) how socioeconomic and governance factors perpetuate poor waste management practices, and (iii) how effective household-level behavioral interventions reduce waste generation and associated emissions. Based on a review of approximately 60 primary and review articles published from 2000 to 2024, the review reveals that methane gas emissions from landfills together with open burning account for 5–12% of global anthropogenic emissions, with much greater per-capita emissions in low-and middle-income countries (LMICs). Behavioral interventions, such as source separation programs, economic incentives, community-based social marketing, and nudging strategies, have been shown to reduce the amount of residual household waste by 10–40%, and the adoption of recycling and composting has been seen to improve by 10–40% when a multi-component intervention is used. The review highlights the need for more long-term randomized trials in LMIC settings and the lack of incorporation of climate-behavior feedback modelling, and suggests a conceptual approach that connects waste governance, individual agency, and GHG mitigation outcomes. Climate action and waste management go hand in hand and need to be strengthened to reach Sustainable Development Goal 12 (responsible consumption and production) and the targets of the Paris Agreement to reduce greenhouse gas emissions