The waste generated by manufacturing in South Korea has seen a general downward trend from 2013 to 2023, starting at 38.7 million metric tons in 2013 and reaching 37.67 million metric tons by 2023. The year-on-year variations highlight fluctuations, with significant decreases such as in 2015 at -2.44%, followed by increases like the 5.85% rise in 2016. Over the last five years, the compound annual growth rate (CAGR) has been -0.31%, indicating a slow yet consistent decline in waste production.
Looking ahead, forecasts predict that the value will further decline to 37.07 million metric tons by 2028, with a forecasted 5-year CAGR of -0.25%. Future trends to watch for include advancements in manufacturing efficiency, stricter environmental regulations, and potential shifts toward more sustainable production practices, which could accelerate the reduction in waste generation.
