Around the world, waste generation rates are rising. In 2020, the world was estimated to generate 2.24 billion tonnes of solid waste, amounting to a footprint of 0.79 kilograms per person per day. With rapid population growth and urbanisation, (18) _______ is expected to increase by 73% from 2020 levels to 3.88 billion tonnes in 2050.

     Compared to those in developed nations, residents in developing countries, especially the urban poor, (19) _______ - In low-income countries, over 90% of waste is often disposed in unregulated dumps or openly burned. These practices (20) _______ , safety, and environmental consequences. Poorly managed waste serves as a breeding ground for disease vectors, contributes to global climate change through methane generation, and (21) _______

            Managing waste properly is essential for building sustainable and livable cities, but it remains a challenge for many developing countries and cities. (22) _______ is expensive, often comprising 20%-50% of municipal budgets. Operating this essential municipal service requires integrated systems (23) _______

Mark the letter A, B, C, or D on your answer sheet to indicate the correct option that best fits each of the numbered blanks from 18 to 23.