What a Waste is a global project to aggregate data on solid waste management from around the world. This database features statistics collected through the effort, covering 217 countries and 262 cities. The metrics included cover all steps across the waste management value chain, including waste generation, composition, collection, and treatment & disposal, as well as information on waste workers, legal & institutional arrangements, and management of plastic waste. The information presented is the best available based on a study of official statistical data and formally published public sector data. Where official data were not available, information was gathered from documents published by international organizations, multilateral and bilateral agencies, and academic journals. While there may be variations in the definitions and quality of reporting for individual data points, general trends should reflect the global reality. All sources and any estimations are noted.