Characterization of
Municipal Solid Waste in the
United States: 1995 Update
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Office of Solid Waste (5305W)
'-. RCRA Information Center
Washington, B.C. 20460
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CHARACTERIZATION OF MUNICIPAL SOLID WASTE
IN THE UNITED STATES: 1995 UPDATE
Table of Contents
Chapter .
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
1 INTRODUCTION AND METHODOLOGY
Background
How this report can be used
Municipal solid waste in perspective ,
Municipal solid waste defined
Other Subtitle D wastes
The solid waste management hierarchy ' , .
Methodologies for characterizing municipal solid waste '
The two methodologies .
Definition of terms ! '
Materials and products not included in these estimates _
. Projections
Overview of this report
References '
2 CHARACTERIZATION OF MUNICIPAL SOLID WASTE BY WEIGHT
Introduction , , .
Materials in municipal solid waste '
Paper and paperboard ,
Glass . : ; ..'--,, .
Ferrous metals
Aluminum
Other nonferrous metals . '-.''.'".
Plastics . . -
Other materials . .
Food Wastes ,
Yard trimmings .. .
Miscellaneous inorganic Wastes
Summary of materials in municipal solid waste
Products in municipal solid waste
Durable goods '".'.''
Nondurable goods
Containers and packaging % :
Summary of products in municipal solid waste ....,-.
References
3 MANAGEMENT OF MUNICIPAL SOLID WASTE
Introduction
Source reduction
Product and packaging design for source reduction
Modifying practices to reduce materials use -
Reuse of products and packages "
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Table of Contents (continued)
Chapter
MANAGEMENT OF MUNICIPAL SOLID WASTE (continued)
Summary of historical and current MSW management
Recovery for recycling and composting of yard trimmings
Mixed MSW composting
Combustion of municipal solid waste
Residues from waste management facilities
Summary
References /
PROJECTIONS OF MSW GENERATION AND MANAGEMENT
AND ADDITIONAL PERSPECTIVES
Introduction
Overview of this chapter '
Materials generation in municipal solid waste
Paper and paperboard
Glass
Ferrous metals -
Aluminum
Other nonferrous metals
Plastics
Wood wastes .
Other materials
Food wastes
Yard trimmings
Projected growth rates for materials in MSW
Product generation in municipal solid waste
Durable goods
Nondurable goods . , -
Containers and packaging
The effects of yard trimmings source reduction
Projections of MSW recovery
Discussion of assumptions
Scenarios for 2000
Scenarios for 2010
Projections of MSW discards after recovery
Projections of MSW combustion
Summary of projected MSW management
Additional perspectives on municipal solid waste
Generation and discards by individuals
Residential and commercial generation of MSW
Organic/inorganic fractions of MSW discards
Ranking of products in MSW by weight
References ' ,,....'
CLIMATE CHANGE
Introduction . -
Relationship of Municipal Solid Waste to Greenhouse Emissions
Greenhouse Gas Impacts of Various Municipal Solid Waste Materials and
Management of Options , .
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IV
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Table of Contents (continued)
Appendix
A Material Flows Methodology
B Recovery Scenarios, 2000 and 2010
132
136
List of Tables
Table
Materials in the Municipal Solid Waste Stream, 1960 to 1994
1 Generated
2 Recovery
3 Discarded ,
Page
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27
28
Products in Municipal Solid Waste, 1994
4 Paper and paperboard
5 Glass ' '. ' .
6 Metals .
7 Plastics .
8 Rubber and leather " '.'''''.'.'. ,
Categories of Products in the Municipal Solid Waste Stream, 1960 to 1994
9 Generated
10 Recovery .
11 Discarded
29
32
35
38
42
49
50
51
Products in MSW with Detail on Durable Goods
12 Generated . . .v , " " .
13 Recovery
14 Discarded "*.,"
Products in MSW with Detail on Nondurable Goods
15 Generated
16 Recovery
17- Discarded
Products in MSW with Detail on Containers and Packaging
18 Generated (by weight)
19 Generated (by percent)
20 Recovery (by weight)
21 Recovery (by percent) ,
22 Discarded (by weight)
23 Discarded (by percent)
24 Reduction of weights of soft drink containers, 1972 to 1992
25 Comparison of snack food packaging, 1972 and 1987
26 Generation, materials recovery, composting, combustion, and discards
- of municipal solid waste, 1960 to 1994, -
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63,
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85
86
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List of Tables (continued)
Table Page
27 Projections of materials generated in the municipal waste stream; 1994,2000, and 2010 97
28 Average annual rates of increase (or decrease) of generation of materials in MSW 101
29 Projections of categories of products generated in the municipal waste stream;
1994,2000,and 2010 . 103
Projections of Products Generated in MSW/1994 to 2010
30 Durable goods - - 104
31 Nondurable goods 105
32 Containers and packaging , - 106
33 Comparison of three scenarios for source reduction of yard trimmings, 2000 and 2010 108
34 Projected generation and ranges of recovery, 2000 . ' 111
35 Projected generation and ranges of recovery/20#10 112
36 Projections of materials discarded in MSW: 1994,2000, and 2010 114
37 Generation, recovery, combustion and disposal of municipal solid waste:
1994,2000, and 2010 . 115
38 Per capita generation, materials recovery, combustion, and discards of municipal
solid waste, 1960 to 2010 117
39 Per capita generation of material solid waste, by material, 1960 to 2010 118
40 Classification of MSW generation into residential and commercial fractions, 1994 120
41 Composition of MSW discards by organic and inorganic fractions, 1960 to 2010 121
42 Generation of municipal solid waste, 1994 arranged in descending order by weight 122
43 Discards of municipal solid waste, 1994 arranged in descending order by weight 123
B-l Scenarios for recovery of MSW, 2000 ,138
B-2 Scenarios for recovery of MSW, 2010 139
List of Figures
Figure
1 Municipal solid waste in the universe of Subtitle D wastes
Materials Generated and Recovered in Municipal Solid Waste
2 Paper and paperboard products generated in MSW, 1994
3 Paper generation and recovery, 1960 to 1994
4 Glass products generated in MS W, 1994
5 Glass generation and recovery, 1960 to 1994
6 Metal products generated in MSW, 1994
7 Metals generation and recovery, 1960 to 1994
8 Plastics products generated in MSW, 1994
9 Plastics generation and recovery, 1960 to 1994
10 Generation of materials in MSW, 1960 to 1994
11 Materials recovery and discards of MSW, 1960 to 1994
12 Materials recovery, .1994
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VI
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List of Figures (continued)
'13 Materials generated and discarded in MSW, 1994
14 Generation of products in MSW, 1960 to 1994
15 Nondurable goods generated and discarded in MSW, 1994
16 Containers and packaging generated and discarded in MSW, 1994
17 Municipal solid waste management, I960 to 1994
' 18 Materials generated in MSW; 1994,2000; and 2010
19 Products generated in MSW; 1994,2000, and 2010
20 Municipal solid waste management, 1960 to 2010
A-l Material flows methodology for estimating generation of products and materials
in municipal solid waste >
A-2 Material flows methodoloigy for estimating recovery and discards of
municipal solid waste
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VII
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CHARACTERIZATION OF MUNICIPAL SOLID WASTE
IN THE UNITED STATES: 1995 UPDATE
Executive Summary
FEATURES OF THIS REPORT
This report is the most recent in a series of reports released by the U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) characterizing municipal solid waste
(MSW) in the United States. The report describes the national waste stream based
on data collected from 1960 through 1994. This historical perspective is useful for
establishing trends and highlighting changes that have occurred over the years,
both in .types of waste generated and in the ways they are managed. It does not,
however, specifically address local and regional variations in the waste stream.
Nevertheless, the data in this report can be used to develop approximate (but
quick) estimates of MSW generation and composition in a defined area. Due to
increased interest in the report over the years and the dynamic nature of the
MSW field, EPA plans to provide annual updates of this report as a service to
state and local MSW officials and other interested parties.
The report includes information on:
MSW generation, recovery, and discards from 1960 to 1994
Per capita generation and discard rates
Residential/commercial portions of MSW generation
Trends in MSW management, including recovery for recycling and
composting, as well as combustion and landfillmg, from 1960 to 1994
The role of source reduction in MSW management
Projections for MSW generation and management through 2010,
including three scenarios for recovery
An "Additional Perspectives" Chapter devoted to basic information on
the potential climate change implications of various municipal waste
management strategies.
REPORT HIGHLIGHTS
While the total amount of MSW generated annually continues to
increase, the rate of this growth is slowing. Per capita MSW generation (the
amount of MSW generated per person per day) is expected to remain constant at
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4.4 pounds per person per day through the year 2000. The primary reason for this
steady rate is that, while,the per capita generation of the products and packaging
component of MSW will continue to rise, effprts to keep yard trimmings out of
the waste management system are beginning to have an effect. Recovery rates for
recycling and composting continue to grow, and this year, for the first time,
composting of food scraps has reached measurable proportions. As MSW
generation continues to increase and recycling matures, however, source
reduction as' a management practice will be increasingly important. ,
1994 MSW Generation and Management
A total of 209 million tons of MSW was generated in 1994. This reflects an
increase of 3 million tons from 1-993, when MSW generation Was 206
million tons. This increase in total MSW generation is due largely to an
increase in population. , . '
However, the per capita generation rate remained at 4.4 pounds per person
per day, the same rate as 1993. - , ^
, /_.'-*'_ -"-,..
The per capita discard rate (after recycling and composting) was 3.4 pounds
per person per day in 1994, down from 3.5 pounds per person per day in
1993. , , v' ', .
Recycling and composting recovered 24 percent of MSW in 1994, up from
21 percent in 1993 and up from 17 percent in 1990. As a nation, during 1994
we quickly approached the goal of 25 percent recovery:of MSW-
An estimated 49 million tons of MSW were .recovered in 1994, while 44 .
.million tons were recovered in 1993.
Recovery of paper and paperboard accounted for more than half (nearly 29
million tons) of total MSW recovery. Composting of yard trimmings
.contributed to the next largest fraction of total recovery at 7 million tons.
For the first time, composting of food scraps reached measurable
proportions at the national level. An estimated 3.4 percent of food scraps
was composted (500,000 tons out of 14.1 million tons generated).
Landfills managed 61 percent of MSW generated (127 million tpns), and
combustion facilities managed 15 percent of the total MSW generated (32.5
million tons).
Trends in MSW Generation and Management
' . ' ' - ' '.,.'':'
Annual MSW generation i& expected to increase to 223 million tons in the
year 2000 and 262 million tons in 2010. Natural population growth and
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sustained long-term growth in the economy account for this projected
increase.
Per capita generation rates are projected to remain constant at 4.4
pounds per person per day to the year 2000. Projected decreases in per
capita generation of yard trimmings during this time will be offset by
increases in per capita generation associated with the discard of
products and packaging.
After the year 2000, per capita decreases in generation of yard
trimmings are expected to plateau, while increases in per capita " ;
generation of products and packaging will continue, causing total
MSW per capita generation rates to rise to 4.8 pounds per person per
dayby2010. . . . . .
Achieving a decline in projected overall and per capita waste
generation will require continued emphasis on source reduction
activities, which prevent waste before it is generated. For example, ',
State and local efforts to keep yard trimmings out of landfills are
projected to result in a 25 percent decrease in yard trimmings ,'
generation (by the year 2000) from the 1994 estimate of 30.6 million
tons. Primarily through the success of grasscycling and backyard
composting programs, yard trimmings generation is projected to
decrease to 23 million tons by 2000.
Recovery from recycling and composting continues to show ,
impressive growth. For the year 2000, three recovery scenarios ranging
from 25 percent to 35 percent are presented. The range for the year 2010
is 30 percent to 40 percent. Achieving a 40 percent recovery rate
nationwide would require recovery rates in the range of 50 percent for
many material categories in MSW, including paper and paperboard,
yard trimmings, metals, and glass.
Combustion is expected to remain relatively unchanged through the
year 2000.
While the percentage of MSW being disposed of in landfills is .
decreasing, the actual tonnage is expected, to increase to the year 2000.
Landfilling is expected to continue to be the single most predominant
MSW management method in future years.
Preliminary research indicates that source reduction and recycling of
MSW have significant potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions
and mitigate climate change.
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DEFINITIONS AND METHODOLOGY
Municipal solid waste ( MSW) includes wastes such as durable goods, nondurable goods,
containers and packaging, food scraps, yard trimmings, and miscellaneous inorganic wastes
from residential, commercial, institutional, and, industrial soiirces. Examples of .waste from
, these categories include appliances, automobile tires, newspapers, clothing, boxes,
1 disposable tableware, office and classroom paper, wood pallets, and cafeteria wastes.
MSW does not include wastes from other sources, such as construction and demolition debris,
automobile bodies, municipal sludges, combustion ash, and industrial process wastes that- -
might also be disposed in municipal waste landfills or incinerators.
.Source reduction activities reduce the amount or toxicity of wastes before they enter the
municipal solid waste management system (see Generation). Reuse of products such as
refillable glass bottles, reusable plastic food storage containers, or refurbished wood
pallets are examples of source reduction. ,
Generation refers to the amount (weight or volume) of materials and products that enter the
waste stream before recycling,,composting, landfilling, or combustion takes place.
Recovery of materials means removing MSW from the waste stream for, the purpose of :
recycling or composting. Recovery for recycling as defined for this report includes purchases
of postconsumer recovered materials plus net exports of the materials. Recovery of yard
trimmings includes diverting yard trimmings from disposal to a composting facility. For
some materials, recovery for uses such as highway construction or insulation is considered
recovery along with materials used in remanufacturing processes.
Combustion includes combustion of mixed MSW, fuel prepared from MSW, or a separated
component of MSW (such as rubber tires), with or without energy recovery.
Discards include the municipal solid waste remaining after recycling and composting. These
discards are usually combusted or disposed of in landfills, although some MSW is littered,
stored, or disposed on site, particularly in rural areas. . ','
Methodology. There are two primary methods for conducting a waste characterization
study. The first is a source- specific approach in which the individual components of the
waste stream are sampled, sorted, and weighed. Although this method is useful for
defining a local waste stream, extrapolating from a limited number of studies can produce a
skewed or misleading picture if used for a nationwide characterization of waste. Atypical
circumstances encountered during sampling or errors in the sample would be greatly ,
magnified when expanded to represent the nation's entire waste stream. The second
method, which is used in this report, is called the "material flows methodology." EPA's
Office of Solid Waste and its predecessors in the Public Health Service sponsored work in
the 1960s and early 1970s to develop the material flows methodology. This methodology is
based on production data (by weight) for the materials and products in the waste stream,
with adjustments for imports, exports, and product lifetimes.
i . -''.-- ~ "
Note that when the report is updated, there are numerical discrepancies in waste
generation, recovery, and discards from previous editions. These differences are due to
revised estimates from source data (e.g., industry associations and federal agencies) made
to the MSW characterization database. ,
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MUNICIPAL SOLID WASTE IN 1994
Materials in MSW '
In 1994, MSW generation totaled 209 million tons/Figure ES-1 provides a
breakdown by weight of the materials generated in 1994. Paper and paperboard
products made up the largest component of MSW generated (39 percent), and
yard trimmings were the second largest component (15 percent). Glass, metals,
plastics, wood, and food scraps each constituted between 6 and 10 percent of the
total MSW generated. Other materials in MSW/such as rubber, leather, textiles,
and miscellaneous wastes, made up approximately 9 percent of the MSW
generated in 1994.
Figure ES-1. Materials generated in MSW by weight, 1994
(Total weight = 209.1 million tons)
Glass 6.3%
13.3 million tons
Paper & paperboard 38.9%
81.3 million tons
Metals 7.6%
15.8 million tons
Plastics 9.5%
19.8 million tons
Wood 7.0%
14.6 million tons
Yard trimmings 14.6%
30.6 million tons
Food 6.7%
1.4.1 million tons
Other 9.4%
19.6 million tons
In 1994, a portion of most materials in MSW were recycled or composted,
as illustrated in Table ES-1. Each material category (except for food scraps and
yard trimmings) is made up of many different products. Because some of these
products are not recovered at all, the overall recovery rate for any particular
material may be lower than recovery rates for some products within the material
category.
Nonferrous metals (other than aluminum) have the highest recovery rate
(66 percent), due to high rates of lead recovery from lead-acid batteries.
Approximately 38 percent of aluminum is,recovered, even though aluminum
cans are recovered at rates above 65 percent. Likewise, the overall recovery rate
for paper and paperboard is 35 percent, even though corrugated containers are
recovered at rates above 55 percent.
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, Table ES-1 -
GENERATION AND RECOVERY OF MATERIALS IN MSW, 1994
(In millions of tons and percent of generation of each material)
Paper and paperboard ' ' .
Glass
Metals .''.
Ferrous metals
Aluminum :
Other nonferrous metals ' - ,
Total metals
Plastics
Rubber and Leather
Textiles . ,
Wood
Other materials
Total Materials in Products
Other Wastes
Food Wastes
Yard Trimmings .'."
Miscellaneous Inorganic Wastes
Total Other Wastes
TOTAL MUNICIPAL SOLID WASTE
Weight
Generated
81.3
13.3
11.5 '
. 3.1
1.2
- .15.8
19.8
6,4
6.6
14.6'
3.6
. - 161.3
14.1
30.6
3.1
47.8
209.1
Weight
Recovered
. 28.7
3.1
.- 3,7
1.2
0.8
5.7
' 0.9
0,5
0.8
i;4
0.8
41.8
0.5
.7.0 ,
Neg.
7.5
49.3,
Recovery
as a Percent
of Generation
. 35.3% ,
23.4%
32.3%
37.6%
66.1%
35,9%
4.7°/o
7.1%
,11.7%
9;8% .
20.9%
25.9%
3.4%
22.9%
Neg.
15.7%
. 23.6%
Includes wastes from residential,, commercial, and institutional sources.
Neg. = Less than 50,000 tons or 0.05 percent.
Numbers in this table ha.ve been rounded to the first decimal place.
Products in MSW
The products in MSW are grouped into three main categories: 1) durable
goods (e.g., appliances); 2) nondurable goods (e.g., newspapers); and 3) containers
and packaging (Figure ES-2). These product categories generally contain each type
of, MSW material, with some exceptions. The durable goods category contains no
paper and paperboard. The nondurable goods category includes only small ,
amounts of metals and essentially no glass or wood. The containers and -^
packaging category includes only very small amounts of rubber, leather, and
textiles. ..- , (
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Figure ES-2. Products generated in MSW by weight, 1994
(Total weight = 209.1 million tons)
Nondurable goods 27.0%
56.4 million tons
Containers & packaging 35.9%'
75.0 million tons
Durable goods 14.3%>
29.9 million tons
Food, other 8.2%
17.2 million tons
Yard trimmings 14.6%
30.6 million tons
Table ES-2 shows the generation and recovery of the product categories in
MSW, broken down by materials within each category. Overall, the materials in
durable goods were recovered at a rate of approximately 15 percent in 1994. A
large portion of non-ferrous metals were recovered from lead-acid batteries.
Considerable amounts of ferrous metals were recovered from appliances in the
durables category, and some rubber was recovered from tires.
Overall recovery in the nondurable goods category was approximately 22
percent in 1994. In this category, large amounts of newspapers, office papers, and
some other paper products were recovered. -
Recovery from the containers and packaging category is the highest of
these categories34 percent of generation. More than 55 percent of aluminum
packaging was recovered in 1994 (mostly aluminum beverage cans), while more
than 51 percent of steel packaging (mostly cans) was recovered. Paper and
paperboard packaging recovery was estimated at 45 percent, with corrugated
containers accounting for most of that tonnage. Approximately 26 percent of
glass containers were recovered overall, while about 14 percent of wood ...
packaging (mostly pallets) was recovered. About 8 percent of plastic containers
and packaging was recovered in 1994, most of which was made up of soft drink,
milk, and water bottles.
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Table ES-2
GENERATION AND RECOVERY OF PRODUCTS IN MSW
BY MATERIAL, 1994
(In millions of tons and percent of generation of each product)
i" ' .
Durable goods
Ferrous metals . '..< '
Aluminum
Other non-ferrous metals .,--,.
Total metals ' ' '
Glass
Plastics . - '
Rubber and leather *
Wood
Textiles
Other materials
Total durable goods
Nondurable goods
Paper and paperboard
Plastics . ' , . - .
Rubber and leather
Textiles, '
Other materials ; ;
' Total nondurable goods
Containers and packaging
Steel
Aluminum . '
Total metals
Glass ' '
Paper and paperb'oard -
Plastics .
Wood
Other materials
Total containers and packaging
Other wastes
Food wastes <
Yard trimmings
. Miscellaneous inorganic wastes
Total other wastes
TOTAL MUNICIPAL SOLID WASTE
Weight
Generated '
8.4 '
0.8
1.2
- 10.4
! 1.2 ,.-
5.6
.5.1
' 4.4
2.3
1.0
29.9 .
43.5 .
'4.7.,
1.3
4.2
2.8
-, 56.4
3.1
2.1
5.2
12.1 ;
..> 37.8.
9.5
10.2
0.2
75.0
, 14.1
30.6
3.1
47.8
209.1
Weight
Recovered .
' 2.1
Neg.
0.8
2.9
Neg.
0.2
0.5
'Neg. '
0.1
0.8
4.4 '
11.6
Neg.
, Neg.
0.7
Neg.
12.3
1.6
1.2
2.8
3.1
17.1
0.7
1,4
Neg.
25.1
- .-
. 0.5 :
7.0
'.. Neg.
7.5
49.3
Recovery
as a Percent
of Generation
25.2%
Neg.
66.1%
28.0%
Neg.-
, 3.6%
8.9%
Neg. .
4.4%
74.3%
14.8%
''"
26.8%
<1%
--.. Neg. ..
16.4%
Neg.
21.9% ' '
..51.4%- :
55.0%
52.9%
25.8%
45.2%
7.5%
14.0%
- Neg. .
33.5%
3.4%
22.9%,
.Neg.
15.7%
. 23.6%
Includes wastes from residential, commercial,,and institutional sources.
Neg. = less than 50,000 tons or 0.05 percent. ':
Numbers in this table have been rounded to the fkst decimal place.
8
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Management of MSW
Figure ES-3 shows how much MSW was recycled, composted, combusted,
and landfilled in 1994. Approximately 49 million tons, or 24 percent of MSW,
was recycled and composted; an estimated 32 million tons, or 15 percent, was .
combusted (nearly all with energy recovery); and the remainder, 127 million tons
(61 percent), was landfilled (small amounts may have been littered or self-
disposed).
Figure ES-3. Management of MSW in U.S., 1994
(Total weight = 209.1 million tons)
Landfill, other, 60.9%
127.3 million tons
Recovery for recycling
and composting, 23.6%
49.3 million tons
Combustion, 15.5%
32.5 million tons
Recovery rates have increased steadily since the 1980s. After remaining
constant at 9 to 10 percent in the early to mid-1980s, people nationwide began
realizing that new approaches to solid waste management were needed.
Recycling and composting rates increased from 13 percent in 1988 to 17 percent in
1990 to 24 percent in 1994 (Figure ES-4). For the year 2000, three recovery
scenarios ranging from 25 percent to 35 percent are presented. The range for the
year 2010 is 30 percent to 40 percent. Achieving a 40 percent recovery rate
nationwide would require recovery rates in the range of 50 percent for many
material categories in MSW, including paper and paperboard, yard trimmings,
metals, and glass. ,
Residential and Commercial Sources of MSW
Sources of MSW, as characterized in this report, include both residential
and commercial locations (commercial locations include schools, some
industrial sites where packaging is generated, and businesses). Identifying sources
where MSW is generated is important to developing management techniques,
such as collection for disposal, recycling, or composting. Residential wastes
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Figure ES-4. Recovery for recycling and composting, 1980 to 2010
(in percent of total MSW generation)
Historical recovery rate -
Projected recovery rate
1994 recovery = 24%-
2000 recovery = 30%'scenario
2010 recovery = 35% scenario
0
1980
1985
,1990
:1995
2000
2005
-I
2010
(including wastes from multi-family dwellings) are estimated to be 55 to 65
percent of total generation. Commercial wastes constitute between 35 and 45
percent. Local and regional factors such as climate and level of commercial
activity contribute to these variations.
TRENDS IN MSW GENERATION AND MANAGEMENT
Generation of MSW has grown steadily from 88 million tons in 1960-to
209 million tons in 1994. The total amount of MSW generated is projected to be,
223 million tons in 2000 and 262 million tons in 2010. Per capita generation of
MSW increased from 2.7 pounds per person per day in 1960 to 4.4 pounds per
person per day in 1994. This rate is expected to remain constant through the year .
2000 based in large part on a projected decrease in the tonnage of yard trimmings
entering the MSW management system, along with an increase in generation of
consumer products and packaging. After 2000, the amount of yard trimmings
diverted from disposal is expected to plateau. Achieving a decline in overall
waste generation after 2000 hinges on continued emphasis on source reduction
of all MSW. ; ,. , .-..
Source Reduction activities include the design, manufacture, purchase, or
use ;of materials (such as products and packaging) to reduce the amount or
toxicity of materials before they enter the MSW management system. Source
reduction activities include: ;
Designing products or packaging to reduce the quantity of materials or
.-> the toxicity of the materials used. ;.'
10
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Reusing products or packaging already manufactured. . .-,
Lengthening the life of products to postpone disposal.
Managing non-product organic wastes (e.g., food scraps and yard
trimmings) through on-site composting or other alternatives to
disposal.
While most source reduction activities were not quantified in this report, -
calculations show that yard trimmings generation could be reduced significantly
if current and planned state and local programs to reduce their disposal are
implemented. While recycling and composting programs are continuing to
decrease the amount of MSW that is disposed of, source reduction can help
decrease MSW discards even more, by preventing waste before it is even
generated. > . '
Recovery (recycling and composting) has increased from approximately
seven percent of MSW in 1960 to 24 percent by 1994. Much of the growth has ,
occurred over the past five or six years. Projected scenarios for recovery are
between 25 and 35 percent in 2000, and 30 to 40 percent in 2010. To achieve these
recovery rates, some products will have to be recovered at rates of 50 percent or
more. In addition, composting of yard trimmings will have to increase
substantially. ^
For this report, EPA examined a range of recovery scenarios from 25
percent to 35 percent nationwide for the year 2000. For the year 2010, EPA
examined recovery scenarios ranging from 30 percent to 40 percent. A mid-range
projected scenario of 30 percent in the year 2000 and 35 percent in 2010 was used
to illustrate the effects of recovery on future MSW management. To achieve this
level of recovery, EPA assumed that local, state, and federal agencies would
continue to emphasize recycling and composting as a priority; that industries
would continue to make the necessary investments in recovery and utilization
of materials; that state and local governments would continue to expand
programs designed to keep yard trimmings out of landfills; and that most U.S.
citizens would have access to some sort of recovery program and that they would
be willing to participate.
Combustion facilities handled an estimated 30 percent of MSW generated
in I960, mostly through incinerators with no energy recovery and no air
pollution controls. In the 1960s and 1970s, combustion dropped steadily as old
incinerators were closed, reaching a low of less than 10 percent by 1980. In 1990,
approximately 16 percent of MSW was combusted. Between 1990 and 1994,
combustion remained between 15 and 16 percent. All major new facilities have
energy recovery and are designed to meet air pollution standards.
11
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This report projects that tonnage of MSW combusted will remain
relatively unchanged, particularly in terms of percentage pf total MSW
generation. By the year 2000, the tonnage is expected to increase from about 32"
million tons (or 15 percent of total MSW generation) in 1994 to 34 million tons
(15 percent of projected 2000 total MSW generation). For 2010, the tonnage of
MSW combusted is projected to be 38 million tons (or 14 percent of projected
2010 total MSW generation). Combustion projections are based on an . ,
assumption that the current number of facilities will remain the same and that
they will operate at around 85 percent of capacity. The projected tonnage increase
in combustion is primarily due to an expected rise in the'combustion of source-
separated materials (e.g., wood and tires). ,
Landfill use fluctuates with changes in the-use of alternative solid waste
management methods. .For example, when the use of combustion for MSW
management declined and recovery rates were low, the amount of waste sent to
landfills increased (Figure ES-5). Alternatively, when recovery and combustion
of MSW increased, the percentage of MSW discarded in landfills declined. In
1960, approximately 62 percent of MSW was sent to landfills. This increased to 81
percent by 1980 as incineration declined, then decreased to an estimated 61
percent by 1994 due to moderate Increases in incineration and dramatic increases
in recovery.
Landfill tonnage is expected to decrease from 127 million tons (61 percent
of generation) in 1994 to 122 million tans'in 2000 (55 percent of generation). -
Significant diversion of yard trimmings from landfills is the primary reason for
Figure ES-5. Municipal solid waste management, 1960 to 2010
300,000
250,000
w 200,000
§. -. '
-'. J960 1965 1970 1975 1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010
* Recoveryscenario's of 30% in 2000 and 35% in 2010 used in this figure. Other scenarios are presented in the report.
12
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this projection. The amount of waste disposed of in landfills is expected to
increase in tonnage to 132 million tons by 2010, as diversion of yard trimmings
from landfills plateaus and discards from products and-packaging increases.
However, as a percentage of total MSW generated, discards to landfills are
projected to decline to 51 percent by 2010 due to increases in recovery.
ADDITIONAL PERSPECTIVES ON MSW
Global Climate Change
The manufacture and distribution of products and the subsequent
management of solid waste can contribute to the formation of excess
"greenhouse gases." Carbon dioxide, methane, and other gases form an
atmospheric blanket around the planet's surface. These gases regulate the earth's
temperature by trapping some of the sun's heat. This natural process is
commonly referred to as the "greenhouse effect."
( ';
Human activitiesin particular, the burning of fossil fuels (e.g.> coal, oil,
and wood)and other factors appear to have increased the amount of
greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. A buildup of these gases could raise global
temperatures, setting off profound changes in the earth's climate and ecosystems,
known as "global climate change." There is growing consensus that global
climate change is occurring and will cause serious environmental dislocations.
Greenhouse gas emissions can be generated throughout the life cycle of a
product, from its manufacture to its disposal. Source reduction and recycling
activities can help reduce greenhouse gases because they 1) reduce the need to
harvest or extract new raw materials; 2) eliminate the need to manufacture new
products; 3) reduce the amount of energy required in manufacturing (through
the use of recycled rather than virgin materials); and 4) prevent or divert waste
from disposal (greenhouse gas emissions can be released when,materials
decompose in landfills or burn in combustors). Source reduction and recycling
initiatives, as outlined in President Clinton's 1993 Climate Change Action Plan,
will make a significant contribution to reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
13
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Chapter!
INTRODUCTION AND METHODOLOGY
BACKGROUND
This report is the most recent in a 20-year series of reports sponsored by
the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to characterize municipal solid waste
(MSW) in the United States. Together with the previous reports, this report
provides a historical database for a 34-year characterization (by weight) of the
materials and products in MSW, with projections through the year 2010.
" ' , ' ^: :, - , :
Management of the nation's municipal solid waste (MSW) continues to be
a high priority issue'for many communities, as. we near the turn of the century.
Increasingly, the concept of integrated solid waste management-source
reduction of wastes before they enter the waste stream, recovery of generated
wastes for recycling and composting, and environmentally sound disposal
through combustion facilities and landfills that meet current standardsis being
used by communities as they plan for the future.
There are many regional variations that require each community, to
examine its own waste management needs. Such factors as local and regional
availability of suitable landfill space, proximity of markets for recovered
materials, population density, commercial and industrial activity, and climatic
and groundwater variations all may motivate each community to make its own
plans. " .; ' "'--... '.'-:-".
Identifying the.components of the waste stream is an important step
toward addressing the issues associated with the generation and management of
municipal solid wastes. MSW characterizations/which analyze the quantity and
composition of the municipal solid waste stream, involve estimating how much
MSW is generated, recycled, combusted, and disposed of in landfills. By
determining the makeup of title waste stream, waste characterizations also
provide valuable data for setting waste management goals, tracking progress
toward those goals, and supporting planning at the national, state, and local
levels. For example, waste characterizations can be used to highlight
opportunities for source reduction and recycling and provide information On'
any special management issues that should be considered.
Readers should note that this report characterizes the municipal solid
waste stream of the nation MS d'whole. Legal and regional variations are not
addressed, but suggestions -for use of the information in this report by local
planners are included in Chapter 1.
14
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HOW THIS REPORT CAN BE USED
The data in this report provide a nationwide picture of municipal solid
waste generation and management. The historical perspective is particularly
useful in establishing trends and highlighting the changes that have occurred
over the years, both in types of wastes generated and in the ways they are
managed. This perspective on MSW and its management is useful in assessing
national solid waste management needs and policy. However/ the report is of
equal or greater* value as a solid waste management planning tool for state and
local governments and private firms.
A common error in using this report is to assume that all nonhazardous
wastes are included. As shown later in this chapter, municipal solid waste as
defined here does not include construction and demolition wastes, industrial
process wastes, or a number of other wastes that may well go to a municipal
waste landfill.
At the local or state level, the data in this report can be used to develop
approximate (but quick) estimates of MSW generation in a defined area. That is,
the data on generation of MSW per person nationally may be used to estimate
generation in a city or other local area based on the population in that area. This
can be of value when a "ballpark" estimate of MSW generation in an area is
needed. For example, communities may use such an estimate to determine the
potential viability of regional versus single community solid waste management
facilities. This information can help define solid waste management planning
areas and the planning needed in those areas. However, for communities
making decisions where knowledge of the amount and composition of MSW is
crucial, e.g., where a solid waste management facility is being sited, local
estimates of the waste stream should be made.
Another useful feature of this report for local planning is the information
provided on MSW trends. Changes over time in total MSW generation and the
mix of MSW materials can affect the need for and use of various waste
management alternatives. Observing trends in MSW generation can help in
planning an integrated waste management system that includes facilities sized
and designed for years of service.
While the national average data are useful as a checkpoint against local
MSW characterization data, any differences between local and national data
should be examined carefully. There are many possible reasons for these
differences, for example:
Scope of waste streams may differ. That is, a local landfill may be
receiving construction and demolition wastes in addition to MSW, but
this report addresses MSW only.
15
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Per capita generation of some products, such as newspapers and
telephone directories, varies widely depending upon the average size
of the publications. Typically/ rural areas will generate less of these
products on a per capita basis than urban areas.
The level of commercial activity in a community will influence the
generation rate of some products, such as office paper, corrugated boxes,
wood pallets, and food wastes from restaurants.
Variations in economic activity can affect waste generation in both the
residential and the commercial sectors.
. Variations in climate and local waste management practices will
greatly influence generation of yard trimmings. For instance, yard
trimmings exhibit strong seasonal variations in most regions of the
Country. Also, the level of backyard composting in a region will affect
generation of yard trimmings.
Generation and discards of other products will be affected by local and
state regulations and practices. Deposit laws, bans on landfilling of
specific products, and variable rate pricing for waste collection are .;..
' examples of practices that can influence a local waste stream.
While caution should be used in applying the data in this repprt, for some
areas, the national breakdown of MSW by material may be the only such data
available for use in comparing and planning waste .management alternatives.'
Planning a curbside recycling program, for example, requires an estimate of
household recyclables that may be recovered. If resources are not available to
adequately estimate these materials by other means, local planners may turn to
the national data. This is useful in areas that can reasonably be expected to have
typical/average MSW generation or in areas where appropriate adjustments in
the data can be made to accotmt for local conditions. . .
In summary, the data in this report can be used in the following ways, for
local planning: , , . .' : >
to develop approximate estimates of total MSW generation in an area
to check locally developed MSW data for accuracy and consistency
to help estimate quantities of recyclables and other MSW components
in an area
to account for trends in total MSW generation and the generation of ,
individual components. , , ;
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MUNICIPAL SOLID WASTE IN PERSPECTIVE
Municipal Solid Waste Defined .
Municipal solid waste includes durable goods, nondurable goods,
containers and packaging, food wastes and yard trimmings, and miscellaneous
inorganic wastes (Figure 1). Municipal solid wastes characterized in this report
come from residential, commercial, institutional, and industrial sources. Some"
examples of the types of MSW that come from each of the broad categories of
sources are: - . ,
Sources and Examples
Residential (single-
and multi-family homes)
Example Products
Newspapers, clothing, disposable
tableware, food packaging, cans and
bottles, food scraps, yard trimmings
Commercial (office buildings, Corrugated boxes, food wastes, office
retail and wholesale estab- papers, disposable tableware, paper
lishments, restaurants) napkins,, yard trimmings
Institutional (schools,
libraries, hospitals, prisons)
Industrial (packaging and
administrative; not process
wastes)
Cafeteria and restroom trash can wastes,
office papers, classroom wastes, yard
trimmings,
Corrugated boxes, plastic film, wood
pallets, lunchroom wastes, office papers.
The material flows methodology used in'this report does not readily lend
itself to the quantification of wastes according to their source. For example,
corrugated boxes m'ay be unpacked and discarded from residences, commercial
establishments such as grocery stores, institutions such as schools, or factories.
The methodology estimates only the total quantity of such boxes generated, not
their places of disposal or recovery for recycling.
Other Subtitle D Wastes
Some people assume that "municipal solid waste" must include
everything that is landfilled in Subtitle D landfills. (Subtitle D of the Resource
Conservation and Recovery Act deals with wastes other than the hazardous
wastes covered under Subtitle C.) As shown in Figure 1, however, RCRA Subtitle
D includes many kinds of wastes. It has been common practice to landfill wastes
such as municipal sludge, nonhazardous industrial wastes, residue from
automobile salvage operations, and construction and demolition wastes along
17
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Figure 1. Municipal solid waste in the universe of Subtitle D wastes
Subtitle D Wastes
Municipal Solid Waste
Municipal sludge
. Industrial nonhazardous waste
Construction & demolition waste
Agricultural waste
Oil and gas waste
Mining wastes
Municipal Solid Waste
Durable Goods
Nondurable Goods
Containers & Packaging
Food Wastes
Yard Trimmings
with MSW, but these other kinds of wastes are not included in the estimates
presented in,this report. *. , ,
the Solid Waste Management Hierarchy
EPA's 1989 Agenda for Action endorsed the concept of integrated waste
management, by which municipal solid waste is reduced or managed through
several different practices/ which can be tailored to fit a particular community's
needs; The components of the hierarchy are:
source reduction (including reuse of products and backyard composting
of yard trimmings) :
, recycling of materials (including composting)
waste'combustion (preferably with energy recovery) and landfilling.
With the exception of source reduction, this updated characterization
report includes estimates of the quantities of MSW managed by each practice in
the hierarchy. - ' ; ,
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METHODOLOGIES FOR CHARACTERIZING MUNICIPAL SOLID WASTE
The Two Methodologies
There are two basic approaches to estimating quantities of municipal solid
waste. The first method, which is site-specific, involves sampling, sorting, and
weighing the individual components of the waste stream. This method is useful
in defining a local waste stream, especially if large numbers of samples are taken
over several seasons. Results of sampling also increase the body of knowledge
about variations due to climatic and seasonal changes, population density,
regional differences, and the like. In addition, quantities of MSW components
such as food and yard trimmings can only>e estimated through sampling and
weighing studies.
A disadvantage of sampling studies based on a limited number of samples
is that they may be skewed and misleading if, for example, atypical circumstances
were experienced during the sampling. These circumstances could include an
unusually wet or dry season, delivery of some unusual wastes during the
sampling period, or errors in the sampling methodology. 'Any errors of this kind
will be greatly magnified when a limited number of samples are taken to
represent a community's entire waste stream for a year. Magnification of errors
could be even more serious if a limited number of samples was relied upon for
making the national estimates of MSW. Also, extensive sampling would be
prohibitively expensive for making the national estimates. An additional
disadvantage of sampling studies is that they do not provide information about
trends unless performed in a consistent manner over a long period of time.
The second approach to quantifying and characterizing the municipal
solid waste streamthe method used for this reportutilizes a material flows
approach to estimate the waste stream on a nationwide basis. In the late 1960s
and early 1970s, EPA's Office of Solid Waste and its predecessors at the Public
Health Service sponsored work that began to develop this methodology. This
report represents the latest version of this database that has been evolving for
over 20 years.
The material flows methodology is based on production data (by weight)
for the materials and products in the waste stream. Adjustments are made for
imports and exports and for diversions from MSW (e.g., for building materials
made of plastic and paperboard). Adjustments are also made for the lifetimes of
products. Finally, food wastes and yard trimmings and a small amount of
miscellaneous inorganic wastes are accounted for by compiling data from a
variety of waste sampling studies.
19
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Definition of Terms
The material flows methodology produces an estimate of. total municipal
solid waste generation in the United States, by material categories and by product
categories.
'.'-'.' ^ . .
The term generation as used in this report refers to the weight of materials
and products as they enter the waste management system from residential,
commercial, institutional, and'Indus trial sources and before materials recovery ,
or combustion takes place. Preconsumer (industrial) scrap is not included in the
generation estimates. Source reduction activities (e.g., backyard composting of
yard trimmings) take place ahead of generation.
Source reduction activities reduce the amount or toxicity of wastes before
they enter the municipal solid waste management system. Reuse of products
such as refillable glass bottles, reusable plastic food storage containers, or
refurbished wood pallets is counted as source reduction, not recycling.
Recovery of materials as estimated in this report'includes products or yard
trimmings removed from the waste stream for the purpose of recycling or
composting. For recovered products, recovery equals reported purchases of
postconsumer recovered material (e.g., glass cullet, old newspapers) plus net
exports (if any) of the material. Thus, recovery of old corrugated containers (OCC)
is the sum of OCC purchases by paper mills plus net exports of OGC. If recovery
as reported by a data source includes converting or fabrication (preconsumer) >
scrap, the preconsumer scrap is not counted towards the recovery estimates in
this report. For some materials, additional uses, such as glass used for highway
construction or newspapers tised to make insulation, are added into the recovery
totals. : . ._
Combustion of MSW was estimated with and without energy recovery.
Combustion with energy recovery is often called "waste-to-energy," while
combustion without energy is called incineration in this report. Combustion of
separated materials:wood, rubber from tires/paper, and plasticsis included in
the estimates of combustion in this report.
Discards include the MSW remaining after recovery for recycling and
composting. These discards would presumably be combusted or landfilled, , . ,
although some=MSW is littered, stored or disposed on-site, or burnedpn-site,;
particularly in rural areas. No good estimates for these other disposal practices
are available, but the tptal amounts of MSW involved are presumed to be'small-
MATERIALS AND PRODUCTS NOT INCLUDED IN THESE ESTIMATES
As noted earlier, other Subtitle D wastes (illustrated in Figure 1) are not ,
included in these estimates, even though some may be managed along with '
20
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MSW (e.g., by combustion or landfilling). Household hazardous wastes, while
generated as MSW with other residential wastes, are not identified separately in
this report. Transportation equipment (including automobiles and trucks) is not
included in the wastes characterized in this report.
One problem with the material flows methodology is that product
residues associated with other items in MSW (usually containers) are not
accounted for. These residues would include, for example, food left in a jar,
detergent left in a box or bottle, dried paint in a can, etc. Some household
hazardous wastes, e.g., pesticide left in a can, are also included among these
product residues.
Certain other materials associated with products in MSW are often not
accounted for because the appropriate data series have not yet been developed.
These include, for example, inks and other pigments and some additives
associated with plastic resins. Considerable additional research would be required
to estimate these materials, which constitute a relatively small percentage of the
waste stream.
Some adjustments are made in .this report to account for packaging of
imported goods, but there is little available documentation of these amounts.
PROJECTIONS
The projections of MSW generation to the year 2010 were not based on '
total quantities, but were aggregated from separate projections for each product
and material. The projections are based on trend analysis of the 34-year historical
database developed for each product, from information in government sources
such as the Industrial Outlook published by the Department of Commerce, and,
in some cases, best professional judgment. Based on correlations of MSW
generation with population and Gross Domestic Product (GDP), the projections
for most products were kept higher than projected population growth but lower
than projected GDP growth. (See Chapter 5 of EPA report 530-R-94-042,
Characterization of Municipal Solid Waste in the United States: 1994 Update, for
an explanation of the correlation of MSW generation with these demographic
and economic factors.) .
It should be emphasized that projections are not predictions. Projections
are based on an assumption that there will be no unforeseen changes in current
trends. Thus, the economy is assumed to remain stable and population trends
are assumed to be as projected by the Bureau of the Census. Additional
discussions of projection assumptions are included in Chapter 4. -
21
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OVERVIEW OF THIS REPORT
Following this introductory chapter, Chapter 2 presents the results of the
municipal solid waste characterization (by weight). Estimates of MSW
generation, recovery, and discards are presented in a series of tables, with
discussion. Detailed tables and figures summarizing 1994 MSW generation,
recovery, sarid. discards of products in each material category are included.
In Chapter 3 of the report, estimates of 1994 MSW management by the
various alternatives are summarized. These include recovery,for recycling and
composting, combustion, and landfilling. A discussion of source reduction is also
included in Chapter 3. , .
, - \' '
Projections of municipal solid waste generation and management to the
year 2010 are included in Chapter 4. Projections are made by material and by
product. A discussion of assumptions and trends is included. In addition, there is
a discussion of the potential effects of source reduction in this chapter. ,
Finally, Chapter 5 provides a brief explanation of the implications of
various municipal solid waste management strategies on the "greenhouse effect"
and climate change. , > ,
22
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Chapter 1
REFERENCES
Darnay, A'., and W.E. Franklin, The Role of Packaging in Solid Waste
Management, 1966 to 1976. Public Health Service Publication No. 1855. U.S.
Government Printing Office. 1969.
Franklin, W.E., and A. Darnay. The Role of Nonpackaging Paper in Solid Waste
Management, 1966 to 1976. Public Health Service Publication No. 2040. U.S.
Government Printing Office. 1971.
Darnay, A., and W.E. Franklin. Salvage Markets for Materials in Solid Wastes.
Environmental Protection Publication SW-29c. U.S. Government Printing;Office.
1972.
Franklin, W.E., et al. Base Line Forecasts of Resource Recovery 1972 to 1990.
Midwest Research Institute for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
March 1975. .
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Solid Waste Management
Programs. Second Report to Congress: Resource Recovery and Source Reduction
(SW-122). 1974.
Smith, F.L., Jr. A Solid Waste Estimation Procedure: Material Flows Approach.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (SW-147). May 1975.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Solid Waste Management ^
Programs. Third Report to Congress: Resource Recovery and Source Reduction
(SW-161). 1975. , ''' :
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Solid Waste Management
Programs. Foiirth Report to Congress: Resource Recovery and Waste Reduction
(SW-600). 1977.
Franklin Associates, Ltd. Post-consumer Solid Waste and Resource Recovery
Baseline. Prepared for the Resource Conservation Committee. May 16, 1979,
Franklin Associates, Ltd. Post-consumer Solid Waste and Resource Recovery
Baseline: Working Papers. Prepared for the Resource Conservation Committee.
May 16,1979. '
Resource Conservation Committee. Choices for Conservation: Final Report to
the President and Congress (SW-779). July 1979.
23
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Franklin Associates, Ltd. Characterization of Municipal Solid Waste in the
United States, 1960 to 2000. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. July 11,-19861
Franklin Associates, Ltd. Characterization of Municipal Solid Waste in the
United States/1960 to 2000 (Update 1988). U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
March30,1988. < ... , ' . "'
, ' (-". ,'-''.",'--'', - . ,
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Characterization of Municipal Solid
Waste in the United States: 1990 Update. (EPA/SW-90-042). June 1990.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Characterization of Municipal Solid
Waste in the United States: 1992 Update. (EPA/530-R-92-019). July 1992.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Characterization of Municipal Solid
Waste in the United States: 1994 Update. EPA/530-R-94-042. November 1994.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency/ Municipal Solid Waste Task Force,
Office of Solid Waste. The Solid Waste Dilemma: An Agenda for Action.
February 1989.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Solid Waste. Subtitle D Study
Phase I Report (EPA/530-SW-054). October 1986.
'24
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Chapter 2
CHARACTERIZATION OF MUNICIPAL SOLID WASTE BY WEIGHT
INTRODUCTION
The tables and figures in this chapter present the results of the update of
EPA's municipal solid waste characterization study through 1994. The data
presented also incorporate revisions to previously reported data for 1993 and, in
some instances, to data for earlier years. The revisions are generally due to
revisions in the various source data series used to prepare this report.
The findings are presented in two ways: a breakdown of municipal solid
waste (MSW) by material, and a breakdown by product (both by weight and by
percentage of generation or discards). While some products, for example, paper
towels, are made up of a single materialpaperother products, for example,
rubber tires, contain more than one material; such as rubber, ferrous metals, and
textiles. Thus the materials summary tables represent an aggregation of the
materials that go into all the products in MSW. (Note that the totals for the
materials and the products tables are the same.)
The summary tables arid figures provide information on generation of
each material and product, and recovery for recycling and composting (if any).
Tables and figures displaying discards of materials and products after recovery for
recycling and composting follow.
Recovery means that the materials have been removed from the
municipal solid waste stream. Recovery of materials in products means that the
materials are reported to have been purchased by an end-user or exported. For
yard trimmings, recovery includes estimates of the trimmings delivered to a
composting facility (not backyard composting). Under these definitions, residues
from a materials recovery facility (a MRF) or other waste processing facility are
counted as generation, since they are not purchased by an end-user. Residues
from an end-user facility (e.g., sludges from a paper deinking mill) are considered
to be industrial process wastes that are no longer part of the municipal solid
waste stream.
Additional detail is provided for some of the materials and products in
MSW that are of the most interest to planners: paper, glass, metals, plastics, and
rubber and leather.
MATERIALS IN MUNICIPAL SOLID WASTE
Generation, recovery, and discards of materials in MSW, by weight and by-
percentage of generation or discards, are summarized in Tables 1 .through 3..
Following these tables, each material is discussed in detail. ~ , .
25
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Table 1
MATERIALS GENERATED* IN THE MUNICIPAL WASTE STREAM, 1960 TO 1994
(In thousands of tons and percent of total generation)
Materials
Paper and Paperbpard
Glass
Metals
Ferrous '
Aluminum
Other Nonferrous
Total Metals
Plastics '
Rubber and Leather
Textiles ,;
Wood
Other"
Total Materials in Products
Other Wastes
Food Wastes .
Yard Trimmings
Miscellaneous Inorganic Wastes
Total Other Wastes
Total MSW Generated - Weight
Materials
Paper and Paperboard
Glass
Metals
Ferrous .
Aluminum
Other Nonferrous
Total Metals
Plastics
Rubber and Leather
Textiles :
Wood
Other"
Total Materials in Products
Other Wastes
Food Wastes
Yard Trimmings
Miscellaneous Inorganic Wastes
Total Other Wastes
Total MSW Generated - %
Thousands of Tons
1960
29,980
6,680
9,950
360
160
10,470
360
2,030
1,730
3,010
60
54,320
12,200
20,000
1,300
33,500
87,820
1970
44,310
12,750:
12,870.
850
, 690
14,410
3,070
3i270
2,000
. 4,220
790
84,820
12,800
23,200
1,780
37,780
122,600
1980
55,160
14,990
11,760
1 ,770
.-1,130
14,660
7,740
, 4,490
2,610
7,440
2,510
109,600
13,000
27,500
2,250
42,750
152,350
1990
: 72,720
13,110
12,440
2,850
1,100
'16,390
16,890
6,250
5,150
12,310
3,180
146,000
13,200
. 35,000
2,900
51,100
197,100
1991
70,980
,12;610
12,540
2,880
1,140
16,560
17,260
6,120
6i150
12,420
3,310
145,410
13,410
35,000
2,950
51,360
196,770
1992
74,260
13,130-
12,660
2,900
1,150
16,710
18,610
6,430
6,190
12,740
3,380
151,450
13,500
35,000
3,000
51,500
202,950
1993
77,430
13,720
12,720
..3,000
1,170
16,890
19,450
6,410
5,950
13,570
3,420
156,840
13,760
. 32,800
3,050
49,610
206,450
1994
81 ,300
.13,270
.11,520
3,060
1,210
75,790
if
19,840
6,370
6,560
14,590
3,590
161,310
~,.^.
14,070
30,600 '
3,100
47,770
209,080
Percent of Total Generation y
1960
34.1%
7'.6%
11,3%
0.4%
" 0.2%'
11.9%
0.4%
2,3%
2;.0%
3.4%
0.1%
61.9%
.
13.9%
22.8%
1.5%
38.1%
100.0%
1970
36.1%
~ 10.4%
10.5%
0.7%
0.6%
11.8%
2.5%
2.7%
1.6%
3.4%
0.6%
69.2%
10.4%
18.9%
1.5%
30.8%
100.0%
1980
36.2%
9.8%
7.7%
1.2%
' 0.7%
9.6%
5.1%
2.9%
1 .7%
4.9%
: 1 .6%
71:9%
8.5%
18.1%
1.5%
28.1%
100.0%
1990
36:9%
6.7%
6.3%
1.4%
0.6%
8.3%
8.6%
3.2%
2.6%
6,2%
1.6%
74.1%
6.7%
17.8%
1.5%
25.9%
100^0%
1991
, 36.1%
6.4%
6.4%
1.5%
0.6%
8.4%
8.8%
3.1%
3.1%
6.3%
1.7%
73.9%
6.8%
17.8%
1.5%
26.1%
100.0%
1992
- 36.6%
6.5%
6.2%'
1.4%
0.6%
8.2%
9.2%
3.2%
3.1%
6.3%
1.7%
74.6%
6.7%
17.2%
1.5%,
25.4%
100.0%
1993
37.5%
6.6%
6.2%
1.5%
0.6%
8.2%
9.4%
3,1%
2.9%
6.6%
1.7%
76.0%
6.7%
15.9%
1.5%
24.0%
100.0%
1994
38.9%
6.3%
5.5%
1.5%
0.6%
7.6%
9.5%
3.0%
3.1%
7.0%
1.7%
77.2%
6.7%
14.6%
1.5%
22.8%
,100.0%
Generation before materials recovery or combustion. Does not include construction & demolition debris, industrial process
wastes, or certain other w/astes. i' : ,
Includes electrolytes in batteries and fluff pulp; feces, and urine in disposable diapers.
Details may not'add to totals due to rounding.
Source: Franklin Associates, Ltd. ' \ .- -
26
-------
Table 2
RECOVERY* OF MUNICIPAL SOLID WASTE, 1960 TO 1994
(In thousands of tons and percent of generation of each material)
Materials
Paper and Paperboard
Glass
Metals
Ferrous
Aluminum
Other Nonferrous
Total Metals
Plastics
Rubber and Leather
Textiles /
Wood
Other"
Total Materials In Products
Other Wastes
Food Wastes
Yard Trimmings
Miscellaneous Inorganic Wastes
Total Other Wastes
Total MSW Recovered- Weight
Materials
Paper and Paperboard
Glass
Metals
Ferrous
Aluminum
Other Nonferrous
Total Metals
Plastics
Rubber and Leather
Textiles
Wood
Other"
Total Materials In Products
Other Wastes
Food Wastes
Yard Trimmings
Miscellaneous Inorganic Wastes
Total Other Wastes
Total MSW Recovered -%
Thousands of Tons
1960
5,080
100
50
Neg.
Neg.
50
Neg.
320
10
Neg.
Neg.
5,560
Neg.
Neg.
Neg.
Neg.
5,560
1970
6,770
160
150
10
320
480
Neg.
250
10
Neg.
300
7,970
Neg.
Neg.
Neg.
Neg.
7,970
' 1980
11,740
750
370
310
540
1,220
20
130
30
Neg.
500
14,390
Neg.
Neg.
Neg.
Neg.
14,390
1990
20,230
2,630
1,710
1,010
730
3,450
. 370
370
570
390
680
28,690
Neg.
4,200
Neg.
4,200
32,890
1991
22,520
2,560
2,350
1,010
740
4,100
450
390
730
r 790
680
32,220
Neg.
5,000
Neg.
5,000
37,220
1992
24,470
2,890
2,810
1,110
710
4,630
600
380
750
1,060
670
35,450
Neg.
6,000
.Neg^
6,000
41,450
1993
25,490
3,010
3,430
1,040
700
5,170
680
360
680
1,310
650
37,350
. Neg.
6,500
Neg.
6,500
43,850
1994
28,730
3,11.0
3,720
1,150
800
5,670
930
450
770
1,430
750
41,840
480
7,000
Neg.
7,480
- 49,320
Percent of Generation of Each Material
1960
' 16.9%
1.5%
0.5%
Neg.
Neg.
0.5%
Neg.
15.8%
0.6%
Neg.
Neg.
10.2%
-
Neg.
Neg.
Neg.
Neg.
6.3%
1970
15.3%
1.3%
1.2%
1 .2%
46.4%
3.3%
Neg.
7.6%
0.5%
Neg.
38.0%
.9.4%
Neg.
Neg.
Neg.
Neg.
6.5%
1980
21.3%
5.0%
3.1%
17.5%
47.8%
8.3%
0.3%
2.9%
-1.1%
Neg.
19.9%
13.1%
Neg.
Neg.
Neg.
Neg.
9.4%
1990
27.8%
20.1%
13.7%
35.4%
66.4%
21.0%
2.2%
5.9%
11.1%
3.2%
21.4%
19.7%
Neg.
12.0%
Neg.
8.2%
16.7%
1991
31.7%
20.3%
18.7%
35.1%
64.9%
24.8%
2.6%
6.4%
1 1 .9%
6.4%
20.5%
22.2%
Neg.,
14.3%
Neg.
9.7%
18.9%
1992
33.0%
22.0%
22.2%
38.3%
61.7%
27.7%
3.2%
5.9%
12.1%
8.3%
19.8%
23.4%
Neg.
17.1%
Neg.
1 1 .7%
20.4%
1993
32.9%
21.9%
27.0%
34.7%"
59.8%
. 30.6%
3.5%
5.6%
11.4%
9.7%
19.0%
23.8%
Neg.
19.8%
Neg.
13.1%
21.2%
1994
35.3%
23.4%
32.3%
37.6%
66.1%
35.9%
4.7%
7.1%
11.7%
9.8%
20.9%
25.9%
3.4%
22.9%
Neg.
15.7%
23.6%
' Recovery of postoonsumer wastes for recycling and composting; does not include converting/fabrication scrap.
' Recovery of electrolytes in batteries; probably not recycled. '.
Neg. = Less than 5,000 tons or 0.05 percent. ,
Details may not add to totals due to rounding. .
Source: Franklin Associates, Ltd. /
27
-------
Tables
MATERIALS DISCARDED* IN THE MUNICIPAL WASTE STREAM, 1960 TO 1994
(In thousands of tons and percent of total discards)
Materials ' .
Paper and Paperbdard
Glass '-...- ' -
Metals . :'
Ferrous
Alurnihum ' ' ;
Other. Nonferrous ,
.Total Metals
Plastics
Rubber and Leather . '>.
Textiles '';.-.
Wood , -
Other** '.'-.- ./
Total Materials in Products
Other Wastes
Food Wastes
Yard Trimmings <
Miscellaneous Inorganic Wastes
Total Other Wastes
Total MSW Discarded - Weight
-,.-' ,
Materials
Paper and P.aperboard .
Glass
Metals
Ferrous .
, Aluminum . ; .
Other Nonferrous
Total Metals
Plastics ' ; ,
, Rubber and Leather .
.Textiles'
Wood ' .
Other ** : , I "
Total Materials in Products
Other Wastes
Food Wastes
Yard Trimmings
Miscellaneous Inorganic Wastes
Total Other Wastes ,
Total MSW Discarded - %
. Thousands of Tons
1)360.
24,900 '
6,580
9,1300
360
160
10,420
360
1,710
1,720
3,010
60
48,760
12,200
20,000
1,300
33,500
82,260
1970
37,540
12,590
12,720 .
840
370
13,930
3,070
^3,020
1,990
4,220
490
76,850
12,800
23,200
1,780
37,780
114,630'
1980
43,420 ,
14,240
.11,390
1,460
590
13,440
7,720
4,360
2,580
7,440
2,010
95,210
13,000
27,500
2,250
42,750
137,960
1990
52,490
10,480
10,730
1,840
370
12,940
16,520
5,880
4,580
11,920
2,500
117,310
13,200
30,800
2,900
46,900
164,210
1991
48,460
10,050
.10,190
'1,870
; 400
12,460
16,810
5,730
5,420
11,630
, - 2,630
113,190
13,410
30,000
2,950
46,360
159,550
1992
49,790
10,240
9,850
1,790
' 440
12,080
18,010
'6,050
5,440
11,680
2,710
116,000
13,500
29,000
3,000
45,500
161,500
1993
51,940
10,710
, 9,290
, 1,960
. 470
11,720
18,770
6,050
5,270
12,260
2,770
119,490
13,760
26,300,
3,050
43,110
162,600
1994
52,570
10,160
7,800
.1,910
410
10,120
18,910
5,920
5,790
13,160
2,840
119,470
13,590
.23,600
3,100
40,290
159,760
' '' . Percent of Total Discards , . , '
1960
30.3%
8.0%
12.0%
0.4%
0.2%
12.7%
0.4%
2.1%
2.1%
3.7%
0.1%
59.3%
14.8%
24.3%
1.6%
40.7%
100.0%
1970
32.7%
11.0%
11.1%
0.7%
0.3%
, 12.2%
2.7%
2.6%
1.7%
3.7%
0.4%
67.0%
11.2%
20.2%
1.6%
33.0%
100.0%
' 1980
31.5%
, 10.3%
8.3%
1.1%
0.4%
9.7%
5.6%
3.2%
1.9%
5.4%
1.5%
69.0%
9.4%
19.9%
1.6%
31.0%
100.0%
1990
32.0%
6.4%
6.5%
'1.1%
, 0.2%
7.9%
'10.1%
3.6%
2.8%
7.3%
1.5%
71.4%'
8.0%
18.8%
1 .8%
28.6%.
100.0%
1991
30.4%
6.3%
6.4%
1.2%
0.3%
7.8%
10.5%
3.6%
3.4%
7.3%
1.6%
70.9%.
8.4%
18.8%
1.8%.
.29.1%
100.0%
1992
30.8%
- 6.3%
6.1%
1.1%
0.3%
7.5%
11.2%
3.7%
3.4%
7.2%
1.7%
71.8%
8.4%
18.0%
1.9%
28.2%
100.0%
1993
31.9%
6.6%
5.7%
1.2%
0.3%
7.2%
11.5%
3.7%
3.2%
7.5%
1.7%
73.5%
8.5% .
16.2%
1.9%
, 26.5%
100.0%'
1994
32.9%
6.4%
1
4.9%
1.2%.
0.3%
6.3%
11.8%
3.7%
3.6%
8.2%
1.8%
74.8%,
8,5%
14.8%
1.9%
25.2%
100.0%
* Discards after materials and compost recovery. Does
wastes, or certain other wastes.
** Includes electrolytes in batteries and fluff pulp, feces,
Details may not add to totals due to rounding.
Source: Franklin Associates, Ltd.
not include construction & demolition debris, industrial process
and urine in disposable diapers.
28
-------
Paper and Paperboard ;
" / ' .
By any measure, the many products made of paper and paperboard, taken
collectively, are the largest component of MSW. The wide variety of products
that comprise the paper and paperboard materials total is illustrated in Table 4
and Figures 2 and 3. In this report, these products are classified as either
nondurable goods or as containers and packaging, with nondurable goods being
the larger category. ;
Table 4
PAPER AND PAPERBOARD PRODUCTS IN MSW, 1994
(In thousands of tons and percent of generation)
Product Category
Generation
(Thousands
tons)
Recovery
(Thousands (Percent of
tons) generation)
Neg. = Less than 5,000 tons or 0.05 percent.
Details may not add to totals due to rounding.
Source: Franklin Associates, Ltd.
Discards
(Thousands
tons)
Nondurable Goods
Newspapers
Newsprint
Groundwood insejts
Total Newspapers
Books
Magazines
Office Papers
Telephone Directories
Third Class Mail
Other Commercial Printing
Tissue Paper and Towels
Paper Plates and Cups
Other Nonpackaging Paper*
Total Paper and Paperboard
Nondurable Goods
Containers and Packaging
Corrugated Boxes
Milk Cartons
Folding Cartons
Other Paperboard Packaging
Bags and Sacks
Wrapping Papers
Other Paper Packaging
Total Paper and Paperboard
Containers and Packaging
Total Paper and Paperboard
* Includes tissue in disposable diape
11,100
2,440
13,540
1,140
2,160
6,770
470
4,400
6,740
2,860
870
4,530
43,480 '
28,420
520
5,140
300
" 2,240
90
1,110
37,820
81,300
;rs, paper m
5,090"
1,040
6,130
220
650
2,880
50
610
1,090
Neg.
Neg.-
Neg.
11,630
15,710
Neg.
970
Neg.
420
Neg.
Neg.
17,100
28,730
games and nove
45.9%
42.6%
45.3%
19.3%
30.1% ,
42.5%
10.6%
13.9%
16.2%
Neg.
Neg.
Neg.
26.7% '
55.3%
Neg.
18.9%
Neg.
18.8%
Neg.
Neg.
45.2%
35.3%
Ities, cards, etc.
6,010
1,400
7,410
920
1,510
3,890
420
3,790
5,650
2,860
870
4,530
31,850
12,710
. 520
4,170
300
1,820
90
1,110
20,720
52,570 '
29
-------
Figure 2. Paper and paperboard products generated in MSW, 1994
Corrugated boxes
Newspapers
Office papers
Commercial printing
Folding and milk cartons JI
Other papers
Third class mail
Tissue paper and towels "~
Bags and sacks
Magazines
Other packaging
Books
Paper plates and cups
Telephone books
;J>vyjVyVyV ,-
'twtftw
23
za
a
zsa
WJ
"
'
\
>
' '
0 5,000 " 10,000 1,5,000 20,000 25,000 30,000
i Thousand tons ' "
Total generation of paper and paperboard in MSW has grown steadily
from 29.9 million tons in 1960 to 81.3 million, tons in 1994 (Table 1). As a
percentage of total MSW generation, paper represented 34,1 percent in 1960
(Table 1). The percentage has varied over time, but increased to 38.9 percent of
total MSW generation in 1994. .
(The sensitivity of paper products to economic conditions can be,observed
in Figure 3. The tonnage of paper generated in 1975a severe recession year
was actually less than the tonnage in 1970, and the percentage of total generation
was also less in 1975. Similar but less pronounced declines in paper generation
can be seen in other recession years.)
Generation. Estimates of paper and paperboard generation are based on
statistics published by the American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA). These
statistics include data on new supply (production plus net imports) of the
various paper and paperboard grades that go into the products found in MSW.
The'AF&PA new supply statistics are adjusted to deduct converting scrap, which
is generated when sheets of paper or paperboard are cut to make products such as
envelopes or boxes. Converting scrap rates vary from product to product; the
~ rates used in this report were developed as part of a 1992X report for the Recycling
Advisory Council. Various deductions are also made to account for products
diverted out of municipal solid waste, such as gypsum wallboard facings or toilet
tissue. , .
30
-------
90.000 T
Figure 3. Paper generation 'and recovery, 1960 to 1994
1960
1965
1970
1975
1980
1985
1990
1994
Recovery. Estimates of recovery of paper and paperboard.products for
recycling are based on annual reports of recovery published by AF&PA. The
AF&PA reports include recovery of paper and paperboard purchased by U.S.
paper mills/ plus exports of recovered paper, plus a small amount estimated to
have been used in other products such as animal bedding. Recovery as reported
by AF&PA includes both preconsumer and postconsumer' paper.
To estimate recovery of postconsumer paper products for this EPA report,
estimates of recovery of converting scrap and returned overissue publications are
deducted from the total recovery amounts reported by AF&PA. In earlier
versions of this EPA report, a simplifying assumption that all converting scrap is
recovered was made. For this update, however, various converting scrap
recovery rates ranging from 70 percent to 98 percent were applied to the estimates
for 1990 through 1994. The converting scrap recovery rates were developed for a
1992 report for the Recycling Advisory Council. Because converting scrap is
deducted, the paper recovery rates presented in this report are always lower than
the total recovery rates published by AF&PA.
When recovered paper is repulped, and often deinked, at a recycling paper
mill*, considerable amounts of sludge are generated in amounts varying from 5
percent to 35 percent of. the paper feedstock. Since these sludges are generated at
an industrial site, they are considered to be industrial process waste, not
municipal solid waste; therefore they have been removed from the municipal
waste stream.
31
-------
Recovery of paper and paperboard for recycling is at the highest rate
overall compared to all other materials in MSW. As Table 4 shows, 553 percent
of all corrugated boxes were recovered for recycling in 1994. Newspapers were
recovered at a rate of 45.3 percent, and office papers at 42.5 percent, with lesser
.percentages of other papers being recovered also. Approximately 28.7 million
tons of postconsumer paper were recovered in 199435.3 percent of total
generation. '
Discards After Recovery. After recovery of paper .and paperboard for
recycling, discards were 52.6 million tons in; 1994, or 32.9 percent of total MSW
discards. . . . - , .
Glass " _ , ' , _ _ . .'.-- > " . ' '.
Glass is Jound in MSV^ primarily in the form of containers (Table 5 and
Figures 4 and 5), but also in durable goods like furniture^ appliances, and
consumer electronics. In the container category, glass is found in beer and soft
drink bottles, wine and liquor bottles/and bottles and jars for food, cosmetics, and
other products. More detail on these products is included in the later section on
products in MSW.
Generation. Glass accounted for 6.7 million tons of MSW in 1960, or 7.6
percent of total generation. Generation of glass continued to grow over the next
two decades, but then glass containers were widely displaced by other materials,
principally aluminum and plastics. Thus the tonnage.of glass in MSW declined
in the 1980s, from approximately 15.0 million tons in 1980 to 13.2 million tons in
.Table 5
GLASS PRODUCTS IN MSW, 1994 ,
(Ih thousands of tons and percent of generation)
Generation Recovery
,; (Thousand
Product Category tons)
Durable Goods*
Containers and Packaging
' Beer and Soft Drink Bottles
Wine and Liquor Bottles ...
Food and Other , Bottles eind Jars
Total Glass Containers
fptal Glass
1,200
5,250
.1,820
5,000
12,070
13,270
(Thousand
tons)
Neg. ,
. 1,650
470
990
3,110
3,110
(Percent of
generation)
Neg,
31.4%
25.8%
-19.8%
25.8% ;
23.4% ,
Discards
(Thousand
tons)
1,200
3,600
1,350.
' 4,010
- 8,960
10,160 .
Glass as a component of appliances, furniture, consumer electronics, etc.
Neg. = Less than 5,000 tons or 0.05 percent. .
Details may not add to totals due to rounding.
Source: Franklin Associates, Ltd.
32
-------
Beer & soft drink bottles
Food, other bottles & jars
Wine & liquor bottles
Durable goods
Figure 4. Glass products generated in MSW, 1994
1,000 2,000 3,000 4,000
Thousand tons
5,000
6,000
1985. Beginning about 1987, however, the decline in generation of glass :
containers reversed (Figure 5), and glass generation in 1994 was 13.3 million tons,
about title same as the estimate for 1985. A decline in generation occurred in 1991,
a recession year. Glass was 9.8 percent of MSW generation in 1980, declining to
6.3 percent in 1994.
1R noo -
14,000 _
12 000 -
E± m nrvn
c Q ooo
o '
C R nnn J
4 000 -
o nnn .
Or
19
Figure 5. Glass generation and recovery, 1960 to 1994
.x"~i~'~il>*.^. . ' Generation
---p> "s. -----..;
/' 's.,.^1-"^.^"
.___-___-.___.__ ^ __..___.____.___..___.____.___..___._ __.___..
-/
.X
t-"- ' .
,
Recovery ^j-.j.j-1-n-n
n r\r-T\J^X-^
-o-r^*-r>-n-nH3H3-r>-"^^ i /
HC>H3-U-Q-tIl-Q-C3^>-t-K'|r-M M [ 1 1 1 f.
30 1965 1970 , 1975 ' 1980 1985 1990 1994
33
-------
Recovery. Published estimates indicate 3.1 million tons of glass containers
were recovered for recycling in 1994. Based on 1994 glass generation, an estimated
25.8 percent of glass containers was recovered for recycling, with a 23.4 percent
recovery rate for all glass in MSW. Most of the recovered glass went into new
glass containers, but a portion went to other uses such as fiberglass and glasphalt
for highway construction. The Glass Packaging Institute reported a recovery rate
of 37 percent for glass containers in 1994; this recovery rate includes an allowance
for refilling of bottles. Since this EPA report classifies refilling as reuse (source
. reduction) rather than recovery for recycling, the'recovery rate estimated for this
report is 25.8 percent of glass containers. , , '
Discards After Recovery. Recovery for recycling lowered discards of glass to
1.0.2 million tons in 1994 (6.4 percent of total MSW discards).
Ferrous Metals
By weight, ferrous metals are the largest category of metals in MSW . ,/
(Figure 6 and Table 6). The largest quantities of ferrous metals in MSW are found
in durable goods such as appliances/furniture, tires, and other miscellaneous
durables. Containers and packaging are the other source of ferrous metals in
MSW. Large quantities of ferrous metals are found in construction materials and
in transportation products such as automobiles/locomotives, and ships, but,
these are not counted as MSW in this report. ,
7.
Total generation and recovery of all'metals in MSW are shown in Figure
Figure 6. Metal products generated in MSW, 1994
E3 Durables Packaging Q Nondurables
Ferrous
Aluminum
Npnferrous
-4-
-4-
2,000" * 4,000 6,000
Thousand tons
8,000
10,000 12,000
34
-------
Table 6
METAL PRODUCTS IN MS W, 1994
(In thousands of tons and percent of generation)
Generation
(Thousand
Product Category tons)
Durable Goods
Ferrpus metals* 8,410
Aluminum** 790,
Leadt 860
Other nonferrous metals:): 350
Total Metals in Durable Goods 10,410
Nondurable Goods
Aluminum 180
Containers and Packaging
Steel
Beer and soft drink cans 10
Food and other cans 2,920
Other steel packaging 180
Total Steel Packaging 3,110
Aluminum
Beer and soft drink cans 1,710
Food and other cans 40
Foil and closures 340
Total Aluminum Packaging 2,090
Total Metals in
Containers and Packaging 5,200
Total Metals 15,790
Ferrous ' 11,520
Aluminum 3,060
Other nonferrous 1,210
Recovery ,
(Thousand
tons)
2,120
Neg.
, 800
. Neg.
2,920
Neg.
Neg.
1,550
50
1,600
1,120
Neg.
.30
1450
. 2,750
5,670 *'
3,720
1,150
800
(Percent of
generation)
25.2%
Neg.
93.0% :
Neg. ''
28.0%
'. Neg.
53.1%
53.1%
27.8%
51.4%
65.5%
7.0%
8.8%
1 55.0% -
52.9%
35.9%
32.3% '
37.6%
66.1%
Discards
(Thousand
tons)
'6,290"
790
60
' 350
7,490
' 180
10
1,370
130"
1,510
: 590
40
310
' 940 .
2,450
10,120
7,800
1,910
410
* Ferrous metals in appliances, furniture, tires, and miscellaneous durables.
** Aluminum in appliances, furniture, and miscellaneous durables.
t Lead in lead-acid batteries.
$ Other nonferrous metals in appliances and miscellaneous durables.
Neg. = Less than 5,000 tons or 0.05 percent.
Details may not add to totals due to rounding.
Source: Franklin Associates, Ltd.
"
Generation. Approximately 10.0 million tons of ferrous metals were
generated in 1960. Like glass, the tonnages grew during the 1960s and 1970s, but
began to drop as lighter materials like aluminum and plastics replaced steel in
many applications. Generation of ferrous metals did, however, increase to 12.7
million tons in 1993, then dropped to 11.5 million tons in 1994. The percentage of
ferrous metals generation in MSW has declined from 11.3 percent.in 1960 to 5.5
percent in 1994.
Recovery. The renewed emphasis on recovery and recycling in recent
years has included ferrous metals. Recovery of ferrous metals from
35'
-------
18,000 ...
16,000--
14,000--
12,000-.
^ 10,000-:
O
s:
8,000 - .
6,000 - .
4,000 - -
1960
Figure 7. Metals generation and recovery, 1960 to 1994
Generation
1965
1970
1994
appliances ("white goods") was estimated to be approximately 72 percent of the
total ferrous in appliances in 1994. Overall recovery of ferrous metals from
durable goods (large and small appliances, furniture, and tires) was estimated to
be 25.2 percent in 1994 (Table 6). ' /
Steel beverage cans, food cans, and other cans were estimated to be
recovered at a rate of 53.1 percent in 1994. Other steel packaging, such as, steel
strapping, was estimated to have been recovered at a rate of 27.8 percent in 1994.
' Discards After Recovery. Discards of ferrous metals after recovery were 7.8
million tons in 1994, Or 4.9 percent of total discards. " ,
Aluminum
The largest source of aluminum in MSW is aluminum cans and other
packaging (Table 6 and Figure 6). Other sources of aluminum (almost one-third
of generation) are found in durable and nondurable goods. . ,
Generation. In 1994, approximately 2,1 million tons of aluminum were
generated as containers and packaging, while a total of approximately 1.0 million-
tons was found in, durable and nondurable goods. The total3.1 million tons-
represented 1.5 percent of total MSW generation in 1994. Aluminum, generation
was only 360,000 tons (0.4 percent of MSW generation) in 1960.
Recovery. Aluminum beverage containers were recovered at a irate of 65.5
percent of generation'in 1994, and 55.0 percent of all aluminum containers and
packaging was recovered for recycling in 1994. .
36-
-------
Discards After Recovery. In 1994,1.9 million tons of aluminum were
discarded in MSW after recovery, which was 1.2 percent of total MSW discards.
Other Nonferrous Metals ,
Other nonferrous metals (e.g., lead, copper, zinc) are found in durable
products such as appliances, consumer electronics, etc. Lead in lead-acid batteries
is the most prevalent nonferrous metal (other than aluminum) in MSW. (Note
that only lead-acid batteries from passenger car and trucks and motorcycles are
included. Lead-acid batteries used in large equipment or industrial applications
are not included.)
Generation. Generation of other nonferrous metals in MSW totaled 1.2
million tons in 1994. Lead in batteries accounted for 860,000 tons of this amount.
Generation of these metals has increased slowly, up from 160,000 tons in 1960. As
a percentage of total generation, nonferrous metals have never exceeded one
percent.
Recovery. Recovery of the other nonferrous metals was 800,000 tons in
1994, with most of this being lead recovered from batteries. It was estimated that
93 percent of battery lead was recovered in 1994. ,
Discards After Recovery. In 1994, 410,000 tons of nonferrous metals were
discarded in MSW. Percentages of total discards remained less than one percent
over the entire period.
Plastics .
Plastics are a rapidly growing segment of MSW. Plastics are found in
durable and nondurable goods and in containers and packaging, with the latter
being the largest category of plastics in MSW (Figure 8 and Table 7).
In durable goods, plastics are found in appliances, furniture, casings of
lead-acid batteries, and other products. (Note that plastics in transportation
products generally are not included in this report.) As shown in Table 7, a wide
range of resin types is found in durable goods. While some detail is provided in
Table 7 for resins in durable goods, there are hundreds of different resin
formulations used in appliances, carpets, and other durable goods; a complete
listing is beyond the scope of this report.
Plastics are found in such nondurable products as disposable diapers, trash
bags, cups, eating utensils, sporting and recreational equipment, shower curtains,
etc. The plastic foodservice items are generally made of clear or foamed
polystyrene, while trash bags are made of high-density polyethylene or low,-
density polyethylene. A wide variety of other resins are used in other
nondurable goods.
37
-------
Table 7
PLASTICS IN PRODUCTS IN MSW, 1994
(In thousands of tons, and percent of generation by resin)
Generation
(Thousand
Product Category
Durable Goods
- PET ':" '
- HOPE
PVC
, LDPE
- PP .
PS
Other resins - .
Total Plastics in Durable Goods
Nondurable Goods
Plastic Plates & Cups ^ '"
PS- " -
Trash Bags '_,.,'
HOPE ~ "..'-'
LDPE/LLDPE
Subtotal Trash Bags .
All other hondurables*
PET
HOPE /';.
PVC .
LDPE
PP ,
PS
Other resins /
Subtotal All Other Nondurables
' Total Plastics in Nondurable Goods, by resin
PET . ' -
HOPE
PVC
LDPE
;.. .PP .-'
'PS ' :
Other resins
Total Plastics in Nondurable Goods
Plastic Containers & Packaging
Soft drink bottles
PET
HOPE
Subtotal Soft Drink Bottles
Milk and water bottles
HOPE
tons)
50
' 540,
760
990
760 "
820
1,680
5,600
--
440
170
740
910
0
' "' 400 .
. 350
1,020
600
460
570 ,
, 3,400
0"
570
350
1,760
, _ 600
900 .
570
4,750 ,
590
50 '.
640
570
Recovery Discards
(Thousand (Percent) (Thousand
tons) tons)
30 ' 20
30 , 510
Neg. .. 760
20 . ". 970
100 660
: 10 ' '8io
10 1,670
- ,200 3.6% . . 5,400
> ^ 20 . 420
; 170
" ; . . ' ' 740
'.. ' -.'.'--. o
. 400
' . . . . 350
1,020 '
600 '
: 460
- , . : ' - 570
''.'' 3,400
'- 0
/ ; ',''"' - - 570
'350
'.''. . . ' 1,760
- . - 600
. ' 20 , . 880
. ,'--. 570
20 0.4% 4,730
.290 ; . ' . 300
30 10
320, 50.0% 320
/.. , ^
. 170 '29.8% - 400
PET=Polyethylene terephthalate
HDPE=HigKdensity polyethylene
PVC==Polyvinyl chloride
Source: Franklin Associates, Ltd.
LDPE=Low density polyethylene
PP=Polypropylene
PS=Polystyrene
38
-------
Table 7 (continued)
PLASTICS IN PRODUCTS IN MSW, 1994
(In thousands of tons, and percent of generation by resin)
Generation
(Thousand
Product Category
Plastic Containers & Packaging, cont.
Other plastic containers
PET
HOPE
PVC ,' .
LDPE
PP
PS
Other resins
Subtotal Other Containers
Bags, sacks, & wraps
HOPE
LDPE
PP
PS
Other resins
Subtotal Bags, Sacks, & Wraps
Other Plastics Packaging**
PET
HDPE
PVC
LDPE
PP
PS
Other resins
Stibtotal Other Packaging
tons)
390
1,030
100
50
30
450
10
2,060
520
2,420
- 440
70
. 220
3,670
100
620
230
480
700
320
100
2,550
Recovery
(Thousand (Percent)
tons)
30 ' ,
110
Neg.
Neg.
Neg.
Neg.
Neg, '
140 6.8%
10 ;
60
70 -1.9%
Neg.
Neg. .
Neg, '
Neg. *
10
'Neg. . . .
Neg.
10 0.4%
Discards
(Thousand
tons)
360
920
100,
50 '
30
450
10
1,920
510
2,360
440 L
70
220
3,600
100
620 .,'
230
480
690
320
100 .
2,540
Total Plastics in Containers & Packaging, by resin
PET
HDPE ' , . '
PVC
LDPE
PP
PS
Other resins
Total Plastics in Containers & Packaging
Total Plastics in MSW, by resin
PET
HDPE
PVC
LDPE
PP
PS
Other resins
Total Plastics in MSW
1,080
2,790
330
2,950
1,170
840
330
9,490
1,130
3,900
1,440
5,700
2,530
2,560
2,580
19,840
320
320
Neg.
60
10
Neg.
Neg.
710 7.5%
350
350
Neg.
,80
110
30
10 ,
930 .4.7%
760
2,470
330
2,890
1,160
840
330
8,780
780
3,550
1,440
5,620
2,420
2,530
2,570 .
18,910
PET=Polyethylene terephthalate LDPE=Low-density polyethylene
HDPE=High-density polyethylene . PP=Polypropylene
PVC=Polyvinyl chloride PS=Polystyrene
* All olher nondurables include plastics in disposable diapers, clothing, footwear, etc,
** Olher plastic packaging includes coatings, closures, caps, trays, shapes, etc.
Neg. = Less than 5,000 tons or 0.05 percent.
Details may not add to totals due to rounding.
Source: Franklin Associates, Ltd. :
39
-------
Plastic resins are also used in a variety of container and packaging "products
such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET) soft drink bottles, Jiigh-density
polyethylene (HDPE) bottles for milk and water, and a wide variety of other resin
types used in other plastic containers, bags, sacks, wraps, lids, etc. ,
Generation. Data on plastics resin use in products is taken from the ' .., .
Modern Plastics annual statistical issue. The basic data are adjusted for fabrication
losses and for net imports of plastic products to derive generation of plastics in
the various products in MSW.
'.''.' , . ^ : .- - ' "',-' ' '.: N ' '
Plastics comprised an estimated 400,000 tons of MSW generation in 1960.
The quantity, grew steadily to 19.8 million tons in 1994 (Figure 9). As a percentage
of MSW generation, plastics were less than one percent in 1960, increasing to 9.5
percent in 1994.
Recovery for Recycling. While overall recovery of plastics for recycling is
relatively small930,000 tons, or, 4:7 percent of plastics generation in 1994 (Table
9)recovery pf some plastic containers is increasing. Plastic (polyethylene
terephthalate) soft drink bottles and their base cups were recovered at a rate of .
50.0 percent in 1994. Recovery of high-density polyethylene milk and water
bottles was estimated at 29.8 percent in 1994: Significant recovery of plastics from
lead-acid battery casings and from some other containers was also reported.
The primary source of data on plastics recovery is an annual survey
conducted for the Ameridah Plastics Council (APC). There has been a change in
the way APC reports plastics recovery data. In previous years, APC had reported
the quantity of resin actually recycled after being cleaned and processed. The 1994
data reported by APC are recovery for recycling before processing. Thus, the
plastics data are now more consistent with the data reported for the other
materials.
Figure 8. > Plastics products generated in MSW, 1994
Durables *
Nondurables
Bags, sacks and wraps
Other packaging
Other containers
Soft drink, milk, and water
containers
%%?f%^ri^^
J 7 J '
z#%&^^
\ \ i
W//////tf///////////^^^^
I
y/////^w//////////////////A
' J
Y/////////yMf//////////s
I
w//////j&m
'
7/sWA
-'
1,000 - 2,000 3,000 .4,000
Thousand tons
5,000
6,000
40
-------
20,000 _
18,000 - -
16,000 - -
14,000 - -
B 12,000--
I 10,000
8 8,000 -j-
6,000 - -
f 4,000 --
* 2,000 \-
0
1960
Figure 9. Plastics generation and recovery, 1960 to.? 1994
Generation
'
m<
Recovery
D a a
1965
1970
1975
1980
1985
1990
1994
Discards After Recovery. Discards of plastics in MSW after recovery were
18.9 million tons, or 11.8 percent of total MSW discards.
Other Materials
Rubber and Leather. The predominant source of rubber in MSW is rubber
tires from automobiles and trucks (Table 8). Other sources of rubber and leather
include clothing and footwear and other miscellaneous durable and nondurable
products. These other sources are quite diverse, including such items as gaskets
on appliances, furniture, and hot water bottles, for example.
Generation. Generation of rubber and leather in MSW has-shown
slow growth over the years, increasing from 2.0 million tons in 1960 to 6.4
million tons in 1994. One reason for the relatively slow rate of growth is that -
tires have been made smaller and longer-wearing than in earlier years.
As a percentage of total MSW generation, rubber and leather .has been
about 3.0 percent for many years.
Recovery for Recycling. The only recovery for recycling identified in
this category is rubber from tires, and-that was estimated to be 450,000 tons (15.1
percent of rubber in tires in 1994) (Table 8). (This recovery estimate does not
include tires retreaded or energy recovery from tires.) Overall, 7.1 percent of
rubber and leather in MSW was recovered in 1994. , _ - .'
Discards After Recovery. Discards of rubber and leather after
recovery were 5.9 million tons in 1994 (3.7 percent of total discards).
41
-------
Tables
RUBBER AND LEATHER PRODUCTS IN MSW, 1994
: (In thousands of tons and percent of generation)
Product Category
Durable Goods
Rubber Tires* .
Other Durables**
' Total Rubber & Leather
Durable Goods
Nondurable Goods
Clothing and Footwear
Other Nondurables '..,
Total Rubber & Leather
Nondurable Goods
Containers and Packaging
Total Rubber & Leather
Generation
(Thousand
tons)
' 2,990
2,080
-._--
5,070
1,050 .
, 230 '
1,280
20
6,370 -
Recovery
(Thousand
tons)
450
Neg.
450
' Neg.
Neg,
. - .
Neg.
Neg.
~450~
(Percent of
generation)
15.1%
Neg.
8.9%
'Neg.'
, Neg- .;--
Neg.
. Neg.
7.1%
Discards
(Thousand
tons)
: 2,540
2,080
4,620 ,
1,050-
.230 /
1,280 .:
20
5,920
Automobile and truck tires. Does not include other materials in tires.
** Includes carpets and rugs and other miscellaneous durables.
Neg. = Less than 5,000 tons or 0.05 percent."
Details may not add to totals due to rounding.
Source: Franklin Associates, Ltd.
Textiles. Textiles in MSW are found mainly in discarded clothing,
although other sources were identified to be furniture, carpets, tires, footwear,
and other nondurable goods such as sheets and towels. ' >
Generation. An estimated 6.6 million tons of textiles were generated
in 1994.
Recovery for Recycling and Discards. A significant amount of
textiles is recovered for reuse, but the reused garments and wiper rags re-enter
the waste stream eventually, so this is considered a diversion rather than
recovery for recycling and, therefore, not included in the recovery for recycling
estimates. Since data on elapsed time from recovery of textiles for reuse to final
discard is limited, it was assumed that reused textiles re-enter the waste stream
the same year that they are first discarded. It was estimated that 11.7 percent of
textiles in clothing and items such as sheets and pillowcases was recovered for
export or reprocessing in 1994 (770,000 tons) leaving discards of 5.8 million tons
of textiles in 1994. , . ' .
42
-------
Wood. The sources of..wood in MSW include furniture, miscellaneous
durables (e.g., cabinets for electronic equipment), wood packaging (crates, pallets),
and some other miscellaneous products. . .
Generation. Generation of wood in MSW was 14.6 million tons in
1994 (7.0 percent of total generation). , ,
Recovery for Recycling and Discards. Recovery of wood pallets
(usually by chipping) has been increasing along with recovery of other materials.
It was estimated that 1.4 million tons of wood waste were recovered in 1994,
leaving wood discards of 13.2 million tons (8.2 percent of total discards).
Other Products. Generation of "other product" waste is mainly associated
with disposable diapers, which are discussed under the section on Products in
Municipal Solid Waste. The only other significant source of materials in this ..
category is the electrolytes and other materials associated with lead-acid batteries
that are not classified as plastics or nonferrous metal.
Food Wastes
Food wastes included here consist of uneaten food and food preparation
wastes from residences, commercial establishments (restaurants, fast food
establishments), institutional sources such as school cafeterias/and industrial
sources such as factory lunchrooms.
Generation. Obviously no production data are available for food wastes.
Food wastes from residential and commercial sources were estimated using data
from sampling studies in combination with demographic data on population,
numbers of garbage disposers in homes, grocery store sales, restaurant sales,
numbers of employees, and numbers of prisoners and students in institutions. ,
Generation of food wastes was estimated to be 14.1 million tons in 1994.
The use of garbage disposals, which send food wastes to wastewater treatment
systems rather than MSW, and use of prepared foods both at home and in food
service establishments, affect the amount of, food waste in MSW. (When foods
are prepared and packaged off site, food preparation wastes are categorized as
industrial .wastes rather than MSW.)
Recovery. For the first time in this series of reports, a significant amount ,
of food waste composting from commercial sources (about 500,000 tons) was
identified in 1994. This amounted to 3.4 percent of food waste generation. As
discussed in Chapter 3, composting of food wastes in backyard composting
projects is classified as source reduction.
Discards. Discards of food wastes in 1994 were 13.6 million tons, or 8.5
percent of total MSW generation. . > .
43
-------
Yard Trimmings !
Yard trimmings include grass, leaves/and tree and brush trimmings from ^
residential, institutional, and commercial sources. -'....
Generation. Generation of yard trimmings was estimated using sampling
studies and population data. While in past years generation of yard trimmings
had been increasing steadily as population and residential housing grew, in
recent years there has been a new trend. That is banning of yard trimmings from
landfills in some; states. Because of this phenomenon; yard trimmings
generation is shown to be declining. An estimated 30.6 million tons of yard
'trimmings were generated in MSW in 1994. ' , . .
Recovery for.Composting and'Discards. Quantitative national information
on composting of yard -trimmings is difficult to obtain, but estimates were based
on a literature search and data on numbers of composting programs. Removal of
yard trimmings for composting was estimated to be 22.9 percent of generation in
1994 (7.0 million tons), leaving 23.6 million tons of yard trimmings to be :
discarded. , ~ ,
It should be noted that these estimates do hot account for backyard
composting by individuals or practices such as less bagging of grass wastes; since
the yard trimming estimates are based on sampling studies at the landfill or
transfer station, they are based on the quantities received there. These source
reduction practices are discussed in Chapter 3. .
Miscellaneous Inorganic Wastes
This relatively small category of MSW is also derived from sampling
studies. It is hot'well defined and often shows' up in sampling reports as "fines"
or "other." It includes soil/bits of concrete,, stones, and the like.
Generation. This category contributed ah estimated 3.1 million tons of
MSWin 1994. , ,": ; -. : -'
. Recovery and Discards. No recovery of these products was identified;
discards are the same as generation. . '. ,
Summary of Materials in Municipal Solid Waste
Generation. Changing quantities and composition of municipal solid ,
waste generation are illustrated in Figure 10. Generation of MSW has grown
steadily, from 87.8 million tons in 1960 to 209.1 million tons in 1994. Over the
years, paper and paperboard has been the dominant' material generated in MSW.
Yard trimmings, the second largest-component of MSW, have been declining as
a percentage of MSW in recent years due to state and local legislated landfill'bans
44
-------
Figure 10. Generation of materials in MSW, 1960 to 1994
250,000
1960 1965 1970 1975 1980 1985 1990 1994
D All Other
SYard
Food
EB Plastics
Metals
0 Glass
d Paper
and increased emphasis on backyard composting and other source reduction
measures such as use of mulching mowers. Metals have remained fairly
constant as a source of MSW, while glass increased until the 1980s and has since
declined or shown a slower rate of increase. Food wastes have remained fairly
constant in terms of MSW tonnage. Plastics have increasingly been used in a
variety of products and thus have been a rapidly growing component of MSW.
In terms of tonnage contributed, they ranked third in 1994 (behind yard
trimmings).
Figure 11. Materials recovery and discards of MSW,
, 1960 to 1994
1960
1965
1970
1975
1980
1985
1990 " 1994
45
-------
Recovery and Discards. The effect of recovery and composting on MSW
discards is illustrated in Figure 11> Recovery of materials for recycling grew at a
rather slow pace during most of'the historical period covered by this data series,
increasing only from ,9.4 percent of generation in 1980 to 9.9 percent in 1985.
Renewed interest in recycling arid composting, as solid waste management
alternatives came about in the late 1980s, and the recovery rate in 1990 was
estimated to be 16.7 percent of generation, increasing to 23.6 percent in 1994. ,
-. Estimated,recovery and composting of materials are shown in Figure, 12.
In 1994, recovery of paper and paperboard dominated materials recovery at 58.2
percent of total tonnage recovered. Recovery of other materials, while generally
increasing, contributes much less tonnage, reflecting in part the relatively
smaller amounts of materials generated in those categories.
Figure 13 illustrates the effect of recovery of materials for recycling,
including composting, on the composition of MSW discards. For example, paper
and paperboard were 38.9 percent of MSW generated in 1994, but after recovery,
paper and paperboard were 32.9 percent of discards.
Materials that have little or no recovery exhibit a larger percentage of
MSW discards compared to generation. For instance, food wastes were 6.7
percent of MSW generation in 1994, but 8.5 percent of discards.
Figure 12. Materials recovery*, 1994
Paper and
Paperboard
58.3%
Yard trimmings recovered
for compost 14.2%
Metals 11.5%
Glass 6.3%
Plastics 1.9%
All Others 7.8%
' In percent by weight of total recovery.
46
-------
Figure 13. Materials generated and discarded
in municipal solid waste, 1994
(in percent of total generation and discards)
Paper & Paperboard 38.9%
Other Wastes 16.4%
Yard Trimmings 14.6%
Glass 6.3%
Metals 7.6%
Plastics 9.5%
Generation
Food Wastes 6.7%
Paper & Paperboard 32.9%
Glass 6.4%
Other Wastes 19.3%
Yard Trimmings 14.8%
Discards
Metals 6,3%
Plastics 11.8%
Food Wastes 8.5%
47
-------
PRODUCTS IN MUNICIPAL SOLID WASTE
Generation, recovery, and discards of products in municipal solid waste
are shown in a series of tables in this section. (Note that the totals for these tables
are the same as the previous series of tables for materials in MSW.) The products
in MSW are categorized as durable goods, nondurable goods, and containers and
packaging. Generation, recovery, and discards of .these products are summarized
in Tables 9 through 11. Each product category is discussed in more detail below,
with detailed tables highlighting the products in each.
Durable Goods ,
Durable goods .generally are defined as products haying a lifetime of three
years or'more, although there are some exceptions. In this report, durable goods
include large and small appliances, furniture and furnishings, carpets and rugs,
rubber tires, lead-acid automotive batteries, and miscellaneous durables (e.g.,
luggage, consumer electronics) (see Tables 12 through 14).* These products are .
often called "oversize and bulky" in municipal solid waste management practice,
and they are generally handled in a somewhat different manner than other
components of MSW. That is, they are often picked up separately, and may not,
be mixed with other MSW at the landfill, combustor, or other waste
management facility. Durable goods are made up of a wide variety of materials.
In order of tonnage in MSW In 1994, these include: ferrous metals, plastics,
rubber and leather, wood, textiles, other nonferrous metals (e.g., lead, copper), ;
glass, and aluminum. . ; . '
Generation of durable goods in MSW totaled 29.9 million tons in 1994
(14.3 percent of total MSW generation). After recovery for recycling, 25.5 million
tons of durable goods remained as discards in 1994.
Major Appliances. Major appliances in MSW include refrigerators,
washing machines, water heaters/etc. They are often called "white goods" in the
trade. Data on unit production of appliances are taken from Appliance - ,'.
Manufactured Annual Report. The unit data are converted to weight using
various conversion factors developed over the years, plus data on the materials
composition of the appliances. Adjustments are also made for the estimated
lifetimes of the appliances, which .range up to 20 years.
Generation of these products in MSW has increased very slowly; it was
estimated to be 3.4 million tons in 1994 (L6 percent of total MSW). In general,
appliances have increased in quantity but not in average weight over the years.
Ferrous metals are the predominant materials in major appliances, but other
metals, plastics, glass, and other materials are also present. ,
Automobiles and other transportation equipment are not included, in this report.
48 .
-------
Table 9
CATEGORIES OF PRODUCTS GENERATED*
IN THE MUNICIPAL WASTE STREAM, 1960 TO 1994
(In thousands of tons and percent of total generation)
Products
Durable Goods
(Detail In Table 12)
Nondurable Goods
(Detail In Table 15)
Containers and Packaging
(Detail In Table 18)
Total Product'* Wastes
Other Wastes
Food Wastes
Yard Trimmings
Miscellaneous Inorganic Wastes
Total Other Wastes
Total MSW Generated- Weight
Products
Durable Goods
(Detail In Table 12)
Nondurable Goods
(Detail In Table 15)
Containers and Packaging
(Detail In Table 19)
Total Product'* Wastes
Other Wastes
Food Wastes
Yard Trimmings
Miscellaneous Inorganic Wastes
Total Other Wastes
Total MSW Generated - %
Thousands of Tons
1960
9,400
,17,560
27,360
54,320
12,200
20,000
1,300
33,500
87,820
1970
- 15,770
25,490
43,560
84,820
j
12,800
23,200
1,780
37,780
122,600
1980
20,930
36,000
52,670
109,600
13,000
27,500
2,250
42,750
152,350
1990
30,040
51,230
64,730
f
146,000
13,200
35,000
2,900
51,100
197,100
1991
30,500
50,000
64,910
145,410
13,410
35,000:
2,950
51,360
196,770
1992
, 30,950
..
52,470
68,030
151,450
13,500
35,000
3,000
51,500
202,950
1993
31,840
54,230
70,770
156,840
13,760
32,800
3,050
49,610
206,450
1994
29,930
56,410
74,970
161,310
14,070
30,600
3,100
47,770
209,080
Percent of Total Generation
1960
10.7%
20.0%
31:2%
61.9%
13.9%
22.8%
1.5%
38.1%
100.0%
1970
12.9%
20.8%
35.5%
69.2%
10.4%
,18.9%
1.5%
30.8%
100.0%
1980
13.7%
23.6%
34.6%
71.9%
8.5%
18.1%
1 .5%
28.1%
100.0%
1990
15.2%
26.0%
/
32.8%
"74.1%
6.7%
17.8%
1.5%
25.9%
100.0%
1991
15.5%
25.4%
33.0%
73.9%
6.8%
17.8%
1.5%
26.1%
100.0%
1992
15.3%
25.9%
33.5%
74.6%
6.7%
17.2%
1.5%
25.4%
100.0%
1993
15.4%
26.3%
34.3%
76.0%
6.7%
15.9%
1 .5%
24.0%
100.0%
1994
1.4.3%
27.0%
35.9%
77.2%
6.7%
14.6%
1.5%
22.8%
100.0%
* Generation before materials recovery or combustion.
wastes, or certain other wastes.
" Other than food products.
Details may not add to totals due to rounding.
Source: Franklin Associates, Ltd.
Does not include construction & demolition debris, industrial process
49
-------
table 10
RECOVERY* OF MUNICIPAL SOLID WASTE, 1960 TO 1994
(In thousands of tons and percent of generation of each category)
Products
Durable Goods ;
(Detail in Table 13)
Nondurable Goods
(Detail in Table 16)
Containers and Packaging
(Detail in Table 20)
Total Product** Wastes ' ..
Other Wastes
Food Wastes
Yard Trimmings ; -
Miscellaneous Inorganic Wastes
Total Other Wastes
Total MSW Recovered - Weight
Products
Durable Goods
(Detail in Table 13)
Nondurable Goods
(Detail in Table 16)
Containers and Packaging
(Detail in Table 21)
Total Product** Wastes
Other Wastes
Food Wastes
Yard Trimmings
Miscellaneous Inorganic Wastes
Total Other Wastes
Total MSW Recovered -%
Thousands of Tons
1960
350
2,340
2,870
5,560
Neg.
Nog.
N«g.
Neg.
,5,560
1970
940
3,680
3,350
7,970
Neg.
Neg.
Neg.
Neg.
- 7,970T
1980
1,360
4,540
8,490
14,390
Neg.
Neg.
Neg.
Neg.
14,390
1990
2,950
8,700
17,040
28,690
Neg.
4,200.
Neg.
4,200
32,890
1991
3,280
10,420
18,520
32,220
Neg.
5,000
Neg.
5,000
37,220
1992
3,610
11,040
20,800
35,450
Neg.
6,000
Neg.
6,000
41,450
1993
3,980
10,970
22,400
37,350
Neg.
6,500
Neg.
6,500
43,850
1994
4,420
12,330
25,090'
41,840
. 480
7,000
Neg.
, 7,480
" 49,320
' , -- - . ...
Percent of Generation of Each Category
1960
3.7%
13:3%
10.5%
10.2%.
- Neg.
Neg.
Neg.
Neg.
6.3%
1970
6.0%
14.4%
7.7%
9.4%
Neg.
Neg.
Neg.
Neg.
6.5%
1980
6.5%
:12.6%
16.1%
13.1%
Neg.
Neg.
Neg.
Neg.
9.4%
1990
9.8%
17.0%
26.3%
19.7%
Neg.
12.0%
Neg.
8.2%
16.7%
1991
10.8%
20.8%
28.5%
22.2%.
/
Neg.
14.3%
Neg.
9.7%
18.9%
1992
11.7%
21 .0%
30.6%
23.4%
Neg.
17.1%
Neg.
11.7%
20.4%
1993
12.5%
20.2%
, 31.7%
23.8%
Neg.
19.8%
Neg.
13.1%
21.2%
1994
14.8%
21.9%
33.5%
-
25.9%
3.4%
22.9%
Neg.
15.7%
23.6%
* Recovery of postconsumer wastes; does not include converting/fabrication scrap..
** Other than food products. ,
Neg. = Less than 5,000 tons or 0.05 percent.
Details may not add to totals due to rounding..
Source: Franklin Associates, Ltd.
. 50
-------
Table 11
CATEGORIES OF PRODUCTS DISCARDED*
IN THE MUNICIPAL WASTE STREAM, 1960 TO 1994
(In thousands of tons and percent of total discards)
Products
Durable Goods
(Detail In Table 14)
Nondurable Goods
(Detail In Table 17)
Containers and Packaging
(Detail In Table 22)
Total Product" Wastes
Other Wastes
Food Wastes
Yard Trimmings
Miscellaneous Inorganic Wastes
Total Other Wastes
Total MSW Discarded - Weight
Products
Durable Goods
(Detail In Table 14)
Nondurable Goods
(Detail In Table 17)
Containers and Packaging
(Detail In Table 23)
Total Product'* Wastes
Other Wastes
Food Wastes
Yard Trimmings
Miscellaneous Inorganic Wastes
Total Other Wastes
Total MSW Discarded - %
Thousands of Tons
1960
9,050
15,220
24,490
48,760
12,200
20,000
1,300
33,500
82,260
1970
14,830
21,810
40,210
76,850
. 12,800
23,200
1,780
37,780
114,630
1980
19,570
31,460
44,180
95,210
13,000
27,500
2,250
'42,750
137,960
1990
27,090
42,530
47,690
117,310
13,200
30,800
2,900
46,900
164,210
1991
27,220
39,580
46,390
113,190
13,410
30,000
2,950
46,360
159,550
1992
27,340
41,430
47,230
116,000
13,500
29,000
3,000
45,500
161,500
1993
27',860
43,260
48,370
119,490
13,760
26,300
3,050
43,110
162,600
1994
25,510
44,080
49,880
119,470
13,590
23,600.
3,100
40,290
159,760
Percent of Total Discards
1960
11.0%
18.5%
29.8%
59.3%
14.8%
24.3%
1.6%
40.7%
100.0%
1970
12.9%
19.0%
35.1%
67.0%
11.2%
20.2%
1.6%
33.0%
100.0%
1980
14.2%
22.8%
32.0%
69.0%
9.4%,
19.9%
1.6%
31.0%
100.0%
1990
16.5%
25.9%
29.0%
71.4%
8.0%
18.8%
1 .8%
28.6%
100.0%
1991
17.1%
24.8%
29.1%
70.9%
8.4%
18.8%'
1.8%
29.1%
100.0%
, 1992
16.9%
25.7%
29.2%
71.8%
8.4%.
18.0%
1.9%
28.2%
100.0%
1993
,17.1%
26.6%
29.7%
73.5%
8.5%
16.2%
1.9%
- 26.5%
100,0%
'1994
16.0%
27.6%
31,2%
74.8%
8.5%
14.8%
1.9%
, 25.2%
100.0%
* Discards after materials and compost recovery. Does not include construction & demolition debris, industrial process
wastes, or certain other wastes. ... '...,.',
" Other than food products. ,
Details may not add to totals due to rounding.
Source: Franklin Associates, Ltd. . -,.."
51
-------
Data on recovery of ferrous metals from major appliances are taken from a
survey conducted by the Steel Recycling Institute, Recovery of ferrous metals-
from shredded appliances was estimated to be 1.9 million tons in 1994, leaving
1.5 million tons of appliances to be discarded.
Small Appliances. This category includes items such as toasters, hair
dryers^ electric coffeepots, and the like. Information on shipments of small
appliances was obtained from Department of Commerce data. Information on
weights and materials composition of small appliances was obtained through
interviews. It was estimated that 750,000 tons of small appliances were generated
in 1994. A small amount of ferrous metals in small appliances may be recovered
through magnetic separation, but no specific 'data on recovery were, found.
Furniture and Furnishings. Data on sales of furniture and furnishings are
provided by the Department of Commerce in dollars. These data are converted to.
tons using factors .developed for,this study over the years. Adjustments are made
for imports and exports; and adjustments are made for the lifetimes of the.
furniture. , . .
Generation of furniture and furnishings in MSW has increased from 2.2
million tons in 1960 to 7.5 million .tons in 1994 (3.6 percent of total MSW). No
significant recovery of materials from furniture was identified. Wood is the
largest material category in furniture, with ferrous metals second. Plastics, glass,
and other materials are also found in furniture. '',.'.
Carpets and Rugs. An industry publication, Carpet and Rug Industrial
Review, publishes data on carpet sales in square yards. These data are converted
to tons using various factors developed for this report. An estimated 2.3 million
tons of carpets and rugs were generated in MSW in 1994, which was 1.1 percent
of total generation.
A small amount of recycling of carpet fiber was identified:estimated to be
0.4 percent recovery in 1994. ' ;
Rubber Tires. The methodology for estimating generation of rubber tires
for automobiles ^nd trucks was revised in 1994; some of the data series used
previously have been discontinued. The estimates are based on data oh
replacement tires purchased and vehicles deregistered as reported by the U.S.',
Department of Commerce. It is assumed that for each replacement tire
purchased, a used tire enters the waste management system, and that tires on
deregistered vehicles also enter the waste management system. Retreaded tires
are treated as a diversion out of the waste stream; they are assumed to re-enter
the waste stream after two years of use.
,- .''- i '.-' . '- .
The quantities of tires in units are converted to weight and materials
composition using factors developed for this series of reports. In addition to
52
-------
rubber, tires include relatively small amounts of textiles and ferrous metals.
Generation of rubber tires increased from 1.1 million tons in 1960 to 3.7 million
tons in 1994 (1.8 percent of total MSW).
Data on 1994 recovery of rubber tires are taken from-a scrap tire
use/disposal study conducted by the Scrap Tire Management Council. Previous
years were based on an EPA scrap tire market study, updated with information
from-Scrap Tire News. Rubber recovery from tires has been small, but increasing
in recent years. In 1994, an estimated 15.2 percent of tire rubber generated was
recovered for recycling, leaving 3.1 million tons to be discarded. (Tires going to
combustion facilities are included in the combustion estimates in Chapter 3.)
Lead-Acid Batteries. The methodology for estimating generation of lead-
acid batteries was changed for the 1994 report to be similar to the methodology
for rubber tires as described above. An estimated 1.7 million tons of lead-acid
batteries from automobiles, trucks, and motorcycles were generated in MSW in
1994 (0.8 percent of total generation).
Data on recovery of batteries are provided by the Battery Council
International. Recovery of batteries for recycling has fluctuated between 60
percent and 95 percent or higher; recovery has increased since 1980 as a growing
number of communities have restricted batteries from disposal at landfills or
combustors. In 1994, 93.7 percent of the lead in these batteries was recovered for
recycling as well as substantial quantities pf the polypropylene battery casings; so
discards after recycling of these batteries were decreased to 110,000 tons in 1994.
(Some electrolytes and other materials in batteries are removed from the '
municipal solid waste stream along with recovered lead and polypropylene;
these materials are counted as "recovered" along with the recyclable materials.
Miscellaneous Durables. Miscellaneous durable goods include consumer
electronics such as television sets, video cassette recorders, personal computers,
luggage, sporting equipment, and the like. (Small appliances were included with
miscellaneous durables in previous'reports in this series/but are estimated
separately in this report.) An estimated 10.6 million tons of these goods were
generated in 1994, amounting to 5.0 percent of MSW generated. Small amounts
of ferrous metals are estimated to be recovered from this category, decreasing
discards to 10.2 million tons. In addition to ferrous metals, this category includes
plastics, glass, rubber, wood, and other metals.
(No.te: the decline in generation of miscellaneous durables between 1993
and 1994 is apparently due to a decline in sales during a recession earlier in the
1990s. Since there is a time lag before miscellaneous durables are assumed to be
discarded, this shows up later as a decrease in generation. In actual practice, the
discards of goods bought in a particular year undoubtedly are spread out over
several years, but it is beyond the scope of this report to analyze this
phenomenon.)
53
-------
Table 12
PRODUCTS GENERATED* IN THE MUNICIPAL WASTE STREAM, 1960 TO 1994
(WITH DETAIL ON DURABLE GOODS)
(In thousands of tons and percent of total generation)
Products
Thousands of Tons
1960
1970
1980
1990
1991
1992
1993
1994
Durable Goods ' - .
Major Appliances
Small Appliances**
Furniture and Furnishings
Carpets 'and Rugs** ,
Rubber Tires
. Batteries, lead acid
Miscellaneous Durables
Total Durable Goods
Nondgrable Goods
(Detail in Table 15)
Containers and Packaging
(Detail in Table 18)
Total Product Wastest
Other Wastes
, Food Wastes
Yard Trimmings
Miscellaneous Inorganic Wastes
Total Other Wastes
Total MSW Generated - Weight
) -* r
Products
1,470
2,150
1,120
Neg.
4,660
9,400
17,560
27,360
54,320
12,2:00
20,000
1,300.
33,500
87,820
2,670
3,580
1,890
820
6,810
15,770
25,490
43,560
84,820
12,800
23,200
1,780
37,780
122,600
2,850
5,740
2,720
1,490
8,130
20,930 '
36,000
52,670
109,600
13,000,
27,500
2,250
42,750
152,350
2,830
520
7,370
1,750
3,610
1,510
12,450
30,040
51,230
64,730
146,000
13,200
35,000
2,900
51,100
197,100
3,100
530
7,410
1,840
3,500
1,540
12,580
30,500
50,000
64,910
145,410
13,410
35,000
2,950
51,360
196,770'
3,220
590
6,680
1,970
3,610
1,530.
13,350
30,950
52,470
68,030 .
151,450"
13,500
35,000
3,000
51,500
202,950
3,430
590
7,020
2,130
3,410
1,540
13,720
31 ,840
54,230
70,770
,156,840
13,760
32,800
3,050
49,610
206,450
3,370
750
7,510
2,320
3,690
1.74Q
10,550
29,930
56,410
74,970
161,310
14,070
30,600
3,100
47,770
209,080
Percent of Total Generation
1960
1970
1980
1990
1991
1992
1993
Durable Goods '
Major Appliances
Small Appliances**
Furniture and Furnishings
Carpets and Rugs**
Rubber Tires
Batteries, Lead-Acid '
Miscellaneous Durables
Total Durable Goods
Nondurable Goods
(Detail in Table 15)
Containers and Packaging
(Detail in Table 19)
Total Product Wastes?
Other Wastes
Food Wastes ,
Yard Trimmings
Miscellaneous Inorganic Wastes
Total Other Wastes
Total MSW Generated- %
1.7%
2.4%
1.3%
Neg.
-5.3%
10.7%
20.0%
31.2%
61.9%
13.9%
22.8%
1.5%
38.1%
100.0%
2.2%
;2.9%
. r
1.5%
0.7%
5.6%
12.9%
20.8%
35.5%
69.2%
10.4%
18.9%
1.5%
30.8%
100.0%
1.9%
3.8%
1.8%
1.0%
5.3%
13.7%
23.6%
34.6%
71.9%
8.5%
18.1%
,1.5%
28.1%
100.0%
1.4%
. 0.3%
3.7%
0.9%
1.8%
' 0.8%
6.3%
15.2%
26.0%
32.8%,
74.1%
6.7%
17.8%
1.5%
25.9%
100.0%
1.6%
0.3%
3.8%
0.9%
1.8%
0.8%
6.4%
15.5%
25.4%
33.0%
73.9%
6.8%
17.8%
1.5%
26.1%
100.0%
1 .6%
0.3%
3.3%
1.0%
1.8%
0.8%
6.6%
15.3%
25.9%
33.5%
74.6%
,. 6.7%
17.2%
1.5%
25.4%
10'0.0%
1.7%
0.3%
3.4%'
.1.0%
1.7%
0.7%
. 6.6%
'15.4%
26.3%
-
34.3%
76.0%
6.7%
15.9%
1.5%
24.0%
100.0%
1994
1 .6%
0.4%
3.6%
1.1%
1 .8%
, 0.8%
5.0%
14.3%
27.0%
35.9%
77,2%
6.7%
14.6%
, 1 .5%
22.8%
100.0%
* Generation before materials recovery or combustion. Does not irtclude construction & demolition debris, industrial process
wastes, or certain1 other wastes. Details may not add to totals due to rounding.
** Not estimated separately prior to 1990. .
t Other than food products. . ' ... . .
Neg. = Less than 5,000 tons or 0.05 percent. , ,
Source: Franklin Associates, Ltd.
54
-------
Table13
RECOVERY* OF PRODUCTS IN MUNICIPAL SOLID WASTE, 1960 TO 1994
(WITH DETAIL ON DURABLE GOODS)
(In thousands of tons and percent of generation of each product)
Thousands of Tons
Products
1960
1970
1980
1990
Durable Goods
Major Appliances
Small Appliances**
Furniture and Furnishings
Carpets and Rugs**
Rubber Tires
Batteries, lead acid
Miscellaneous Durables
Tote/ Durable Goods
Nondurable Goods
(Detail In Table 16)
Containers and Packaging
(DelaH in Table 20)
Total Product Wastes/-
Other Wastes
Food Wastes
Yard Trimmings
Miscellaneous Inorganic Wastes
Total Other Wastes
Total MSW Recovered - Weight
Products
10
Neg.
330
Neg.
10
350
2,340
2,870
5,560
Neg.
Neg.
Neg.
Neg.
, 5,560
50
Neg.
250
620
20
940
3,680
3,350
7,970
Neg.
Neg.'
Neg. '
Neg.
7,970
130
Neg.
150
1,040
40
1,360
4,540
8,490
*
14,390
Neg..
Neg.
Neg.
Neg.
14,390
910
Neg.
Neg.
Neg.
' 440
.1,480
120
2,950
8,700
17,040
28,690
Neg.
4,200
Neg.
.4,200
32,890
1991
1,180
Neg.
Neg.
10
450
1,490
150
3,280
10,420
18,520
32,220
Neg.
5,000
Neg.
5,000
37,220
1992
1,470
Neg.
Neg.
10
470
1,450
210
3,610
11,040
20,800
35,450
Neg.,
6,000
Neg.
6,000
41,450
1993
1,840
Neg.
Neg.
10
440
1,430
260
3,980
10,970
22,400
37,350
Neg.
6,500
Neg.
6,500
43,850
1994
1,910
Neg.
Neg.
10
560
1,630
310
4,420
12,330
25,090
41,840
-
480
7,000
Neg.
7,480
49,320
Percent of Generation of Each Product
1960
1970
1980
1990
1991
Durable Goods
Major Appliances
Small Appliances**
Furniture and Furnishings
Carpets and Rugs**
Rubber Tires
Batteries, Lead-Acid
Miscellaneous Durables
Total Durable Goods
Nondurable Goods
(Detail in Table 16)
Containers and Packaging
(Detail in Table 21)
Total Product Wastesf
Other Wastes
Food Wastes
Yard Trimmings
Miscellaneous Inorganic Wastes
Total Other Wastes
Total MSW Recovered - %
0.7%
Neg.
29.5%
Neg.
0.2%
3.7%
13.3%
10.5%
10.2%
Neg.
Neg.
Neg.
Neg.
6.3%
1.9%
' Neg.
13.2%
75.6%
0.3%
6.0%
14.4%
7.7%
9.4%
Neg.
Neg.
Neg.
Neg.
6.5%
4.6%
Neg.
5.5%
69.8%
0.5%
6.5%
12.6%
16.1%
13.1%
Neg.
Neg.
Neg.
Neg.
9.4%
32.2%
Neg.
Neg.
12.2%
98.0%
1.0%
9.8%
17.0%
26.3%
19.7%
Neg.
12.0%
Neg.
8.2%
16.7%
38.1%
Neg.
Neg.
0.5%
12.9%
96.8%
1 .2%
10.8%
20.8%
28.5%
22.2%
Neg.
14.3%
Neg.
9.7%
' .18.9%
1992 | 1993
45.7%
Neg.
Neg.
0.5%
13.0%
94.8%
1.6%
11.7%
21.0%
30.6%
23.4%
Neg.
17.1%
Neg.
11.7%
20.4%
53.6%
Neg.
Neg.
0.5%
12.9%
92.9%
1.9%
12.5%
20.2%
31 .7%
23.8%
Neg.
19.8%
Neg.
13.1%
21.2%
1994
56.7%
Neg.
Neg.
0.4%
15.2%
93.7%
2.9%
14.8%
21.9%
33.5%
25.9%
3.4%
22.9%
Neg.
15.7%
23.6%
* Recovery of postconsumer wastes; does not include converting/fabrication scrap.
" Not estimated separately prior to 1990.
t Other than food products.
NOD, a Less than 5,000 tons or 0.05 percent.
Source: Franklin Associates, Ltd.
55
-------
Table 14,
PRODUCTS DISCARDED1 IN THE MUNICIPAL WASTE STREAM, I960 TO 1994
(WITH DETAIL ON DURABLE GOODS)
(In thousands of tons and percent of total discards)
Products
Thousands of Tons
1961)
1970
1980
1990
1991
.1992
1993
1994
Durable Goods
Major Appliances .-."..
Small Appliances**
furniture and Furnishings ..'..
Carpets and Rugs**
Rubber Tires .
Batteries, lead acid
.Miscellaneous Durables
Total Durable Goods
Nondurable Goods
'(Detail in Table 17)
Containers and Packaging
.(Detail in Table 22)
Total Product Wastesf .
Other Wastes
.Food Wastes .
'Yard Trimmings
.Miscellaneous Inorganic Wastes
Total. Other Wastes
Total MSW Discarded - Weight.
Products
1,460
2,150
790
Neg,
4,660
9,050
15,220
24,490
48,760
12,200
20,000
1,300
33,500
82,260
2,620
3,580
1,640
200
6,790
14,830
21,810
40,210
76,850
12,800
23t200
1,780
37,780
114,630
2,720
5,740
2,570
450
8,090
19,570
31,460
44,180
95,210
13,000
27,500
2,250
42i750
137,960
1,920
520
7,370
1.750
3,170
30
12,330
27,090
42,530
47,690
117,310
13,200
30,800
2,900
46,900
164,210
1,920
' 530
7,410
1,830
3,050
50
12,430
27,220
39,580
46,390
113,190
/ , -
13,410
30,000
2,950-
46,360
159,550
1,750
590
6,680
1,960
3,140
80 ,
13,140
27,340
41,430
, 47,230
116,000
13,500
29,000
3,000
45,500
161,500
1,590
590
7,020
2,120
2,970
110
13,460
27,860
43,260
48,370
119,490
13,760
26,300
3,050
.43,110
162,600
1,460
' 750
7,510
2,310
3,130
110.
10,240
25,,510
44,080
49,880
119,470
13,590
23,600
3,100
40,290
159,760
Percent of Total Discards
19613
1970
1980
1990
1991
1992
1993
1994
Durable Goods *' ,
'Major Appliances'
Small Appliances**
.Furniture and Furnishings
Carpets and Rugs** '
Rubber Tjres
/Batteries, Lead-Acid
Miscellaneous Durables ,
' Total Durable Goods .
Nondurable Goods
.(Detail in Table 17)
Containers and Packaging
(Detail in Table 23)
Total Product Wastest
Other Wastes
Food Wastes
Yard Trimmings ''.-''
Miscellaneous Inorganic Wastes
Total Other Wastes
Total MSW Discarded -%
1.8%
2.15%
1.0%
Neg,
5.7%
11.0%
18.5%
29.8%
59.8%
14.8%
24.3%
, -1:6%
. . 40.7%
100.0%
2.3%
3.1%
1.4%,
0.2%
5.9%
12.9%
, 19.0%
35.1%
67.0%
.11.2%
20.2%
1.6%
33.0%
100.0%
2.0%
4.2%
'1.9%
0.3%
5.9%
14.2%
22,8%
32.0%
69.0%
9,4%
19.9%
1.6%
31.0%
100.0%
'1.2%
0.3%
4.5%
1.1%
1.9%
0.0%
7.5%
16.5%
25.9%
29.0%
71,4%
8.0%
18.8%
1.8%
, 28.6%
100.0%
1.2%
- 0.3%
4.6%
1.1%
1.9%
0.0%
7.8%
17.1%
24.8%
29.1%
70.9%
8.4%
-.18.8%
1.8%
29.1%
100.0%
1.1%
0.4%
4.1%
1.2%
1.9%
0.0%
8.1%'
16.9%
25.7%
29.2%
71.8%
8.4%
18.0%
1.9%
28.2%
100.0%
1.0%
0.4%
4,3%
1.3%.
t.8%
0.1%
. 8.3%
17.1%
26.6%
29.7%
73.5%
, 8.5%
16.2%
,1.9%
26.5%
-.100.0%
0.9%
0.5%
4.7%
, 1 .4%
2.0%
0.1%
. 6.4%
. 1.6.0%
27.6%
31.2%
.74.8%
; 8.5%
14.8%
1 .9%
25.2%
100.0%
* Discards after materials and compost recovery. Does not include construction & demolition debris, industrial process
wastes, or certain other wastes. Details may not add to .totals due to rounding.
** Not estimated separately prior to 1990.
t Other than food products. ' ; .
Neg. = Less than 5,000 tons or 0.05 percent. '. .'
Source: Franklin Associates, Ltd. ,
56
-------
Nondurable Goods .
The Department of Commerce defines nondurable goods as those haying
a lifetime of less than three years, and this definition was followed for this report
to the extent possible. , ' "
Products made of paper and paperboard comprise the largest portion of
nondurable goods. Other nondurable products include paper and plastic plates,
cups, and other disposable food service products; disposable diapers; clothing and
footwear; linens; and other miscellaneous products. (See Tables 15 through 17.)
Generation of nondurable goods in MSW was 56.4 million tons in 1994
(27.0 percent of total generation). Recovery of paper products in this category is
quite significant, resulting in 12.3 million tons of nondurable goods recovered in
1994 (21.9 percent of nondurables generation). This means that 44.1 million tons
of nondurable goods were discarded in 1994 (27.6 percent of total MSW discards).
Paper and Paperboard Products. Generation, recovery, and discards of
paper and paperboard products in nondurable goods are summarized in Tables
15 through 17. A summary for 1994 was shown earlier in Table 4. Each of the
paper and paperboard product categories in nondurable goods is discussed briefly
below.
Newspapers are by far the largest single component of the nondurable
goods category, at 13.5 million tons generated in 1994 (6.5 percent of total
MSW). In 1994, 45.3 percent of newspapers generated were recovered for
recycling, leaving 7.4 million tons discarded (4.6 percent of total MSW
discarded). Estimates of newspaper generation are broken down into
newsprint (the majority of the weight of newspapers) and the
groundwood* inserts (primarily advertising) that are a significant
portion of the total weight of newspapers. This breakdown is shown in
Table 4.
Books amounted to approximately 1.1 million tons, or 0.5 percent of
total MSW generation, in 1994. Recovery of books is not well
documented, but it was estimated that approximately 220,000 tons of
books were recovered in 1994. Books are made of both groundwood and
chemical pulp. ,
Magazines accounted for an estimated 2.2 million tons, or 1.0 percent of
total MSW generation, in 1994. Like books, recovery, of magazines is not
Groundwood papers, like newsprint, are made primarily from pulp prepared by a
mechanical process.' The other major type of wood pulp is prepared by a chemical process.
The nature of the pulp (groundwood vs. chemical) affects the potential uses for the
recovered paper.
57
-------
well documented. It was estimated that 650,000 tons of magazines were ;
recovered in 1994. Magazines are predominately made of coated
ground wood, but some uncoated ground wood and chemical pulps are
also used.
Many different kinds of papers are generated in offices. For this report,
office-type paper estimates, include the high grade papers such as copier
paper, computer printout, stationery, etc. (6.8 million tons, or 3.2 percent
of total MSW generation, in 1994), These papers are almost entirely
made of uncoated chemical pulp, although some amounts of
groundwood are also used. It should be noted that some of these office-
type papers are generated at locations other than offices, including
homes "and institutions such as schools. Also, other kinds of papers (e.g.,
newspapers, magazines, and packaging) are generated in offices, but,are
accounted for in other categories. An estimated 2.9 million tons of
office-type papers were recovered in 199.4.
Telephone directories were .estimated to generate 470,000 tons (0.2
percent of total MSW) in 1994. These directories are made of
groundwood. It was estimated that 50,000 tons of directories were
recovered in 1994. The Yellow Pages Publishers Association (YPPA) has
instituted a programs to encourage recovery of directories and has
begun to collect and publish data on generation and recovery. The 1993
and 1994 data in this report are taken from YPPA data; therefore, there is
some discontinuity with the data published for earlier years, which was
estimated. - = .
Third-class mail includes catalogs and other direct bulk mailings; these,
amounted to 4.4 million tons, or 2.1 percent of MSW generation, in
1994. Both groundwood and chemical pulps are used in these mailings.
It was estimated that 63.0,000 tons were recovered in 1994. The U.S.
Postal Service is implementing a program to increase recovery of bulk
mail in the future. , '
Other commercial printing includes a wide range of paper items: , '
brochures, reports, menus, invitations, etc. Both groundwood and'
chemical pulps are 'used' in these varied items. Generation'was '
estimated at 6.7 million tons, or 3.2 percent of MSW generation, in 1994,
with .recovery at 1.1 million tons. '.-.:'
Tissue paper and towels include facial and sanitary tissues and napkins,
but not bathroom tissue, which is nearly all diverted from MSW into
the wastewater treatment system. Tissue products amounted to 2.9
million tons (1.4 percent of total MSW generation) in 1994. No
significant recovery of tissue products was identified. ,
58
-------
Paper plates and cups include paper plates, cups, bowls, and other food
service products used in homes, in commercial establishments like
restaurants, and in institutional settings such as schools. Generation of
these products was estimated at 370,000 tons (0.4 percent of total MSW
generation) in 1994. No significant recovery of these products was
identified.
Other nonpackaging papersincluding posters, photographic papers,
cards and games, etc.accounted for 4.5 million tons (2.1 percent of total
MSW generation) in 1994. No significant recovery of these papers was
identified. . - :
Overall, generation of paper and paperboard products in nondurable goods
was 43.5 million tons in 1994 (Table 4). While newspapers were recovered at the
highest rate, other paper products, such as books, magazines, and office papers,
were also recovered for recycling, and the overall recovery rate for paper in
nondurables was 26.7 percent in 1994. Thus 31.9 million tons of paper in
nondurables were discarded in 1994.
Plastic Plates and Cups. This category includes plastic plates, cups, glasses,
dishes and bowls, hinged containers, and other containers used in food service at
home, in restaurants and other commercial establishments, and in institutional
settings such as schools. These items are made of polystyrene resin. An estimated
440,000 tons of these products were generated in 1994, or 0.2 percent of total MSW
(see Table 15). An estimated 20,000 tons of these products were recovered for
recycling in 1994.
Disposable Diapers. This category includes estimates of both infant diapers
and adult incontinence products; Generation was estimated using data on sales
of the products along with information on average weights and composition. An
estimated 3.0 million tons of disposable diapers were generated in 1994, or 1.4
percent of total MSW generation. (This tonnage includes an adjustment for the
urine and feces contained within the discarded diapers.) The materials portion of
the diapers includes wood pulp, plastics (including the super-absorbent materials,
now present in most diapers), and tissue paper.
Tnere has been some investigation of recycling/composting of disposable
diapers, but no significant recovery was identified for 1994.
Clothing and Footwear. Generation of clothing and footwear was
estimated to be 4.5 million tons in 1994 (2.1 percent of total MSW). Textiles,
rubber, and leather are major materials components of this category, with some
plastics present as well. Generation estimates for these products are based on
sales data from the'Department of Commerce along with data on average
weights for each type of product included. Adjustments are made for net imports
of these products based on Department of Commerce data.
59
-------
The Council for Textile Recycling reports on recovery of textiles for
exports, reprocessing, and reuse. Based on their data, it was estimated that 550,000
tons of textiles in clothing were recovered for export or recycling m 1994. (Reuse
is not counted as recycling and is discussed-in Chapter 3.) ,
. Towels, Sheets/ and Pillowcases. An estimated 0.8 million tons of towels,
sheets, and pillowcases were generated in 1994. Generation was estimated using a
methodology similar to that for clothing. An estimated 130,000 -tons of these
textiles were recovered in 1994. . , .., .... ' . ;'' "
Other Miscellaneous Nondurables. Generation of other miscellaneous
nondurables was estimated to be 3.4 million tons in 1994 (1.6 percent of MSW). :
The primary material component of miscellaneous nondurables is plastics>
although some1 aluminum, rubber, and textiles are also present. Typical products
in miscellaneous nondurables include shower curtains and other household -
items, disposable medical supplies,-novelty items, and the like. ... ......
Generation of plastic products in miscellaneous nondurables is taken from
resin sales data published annually in -Modern Plastics. Generation of other
materials in these nondurable products is estimated based on information .in past
reports in this series. '" , . .-....-
60
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Table 15
PRODUCTS GENERATED* IN THE MUNICIPAL WASTE STREAM, 1960 TO 1994
{WITH DETAIL ON NONDURABLE GOODS)
(In thousands of tons and percent of total generation)
Products
Durable Goods
(Detail in Table 12)
Thousands of Tons
1960
9,400
1970
15,770
1980 ,
20,930
'1990
30,040
1991
30,500
1992
30,950
1993
31,840
1994
29,930
Nondurable Goods '
Newspapers
Books and Magazines
Books"
Magazines**
Office Papers
Telephone Directories**
Third Class Mail**
Other Commercial Printing
Tissue Paper and Towels
Paper Plates and Cups
Plastic Plates and Cupsf
Trash Bags**
Disposable Diapers
Other Nonpackaglng Paper
Clothing and Footwear
Towels, Sheets and Pillowcases**
Other Miscellaneous Nondurables
Total Nondurable Goods
Containers and Packaging
(Detail In Table 18)
Total Product Wastes f
Other Wastes
Total MSW Generated- Weight
Products
Durable Goods
(Detail in Table 12)
7,110
1,920
1,520
1,260
1,090
270
Neg.
2,700
1,280
410
17,560
27,360
54,320
33,500
87,820
9,510
2,470
2,650
2,130
2,080
420
350
3,630
1,560
690
25,490
43,560
84,820
37,780
122,600
11,050
3,390
4,010
3,110
2,300
630
190
1,930
4,230
2,260
2,900
36,000
52,670
109,600
42,750
152,350
13,430
970
2,830
6,410
610
3,820
4,460
2,960
650
320
780
2,700
3,840
3,630
620
3,200
51,230
64,730
146,000
51,100
197,100
12,480
870
2,200
6,320
630
3,690
4,710
2,690
'. 660 ,
300
770
2,810
3,800
4,190
810
3,070
50,000
64,910
145,410
51,360
196,770
12,680
930
2,370
6,660
680
3,560
5,500
2,750
680
340
840
2,870
,4,120
4,400
710
3,380
52,470
68,030
151,450
51 ,500
202,950
12,940
,
1,070
2,240
6,610
- 480
4,000
6,500
2,870
, 800
350
890
2,910
4,250
4,060
750
3,510
54,230
70,770
156,840
49,610
206,450
' 13,540
1,140
2,160
6,760
470
4,400
6,740
2,860
870
440
910
2,980
4,480
4,490-
770
3,400
56,410
74,970
161,310
47,770
209,080
Percent of Total Generation
1960
10.7%
1970
12.9%
1980
13.7%
1990
15.2%
1991
15.5%
1992
15.3%
1993
15.4%
1994
14.3%
Nondurable Goods
Newspapers
Books and Magazines
Books"
Magazines"
Office Papers
Telephone Directories**
Third Class Mail-
Other Commercial Printing
Tissue Paper and Towels
Paper Plates and Cups
Plastic Plates and Cupsf
Trash Bags**
Disposable Diapers
Other Nonpackaging Paper
Clothing and Footwear
Towels, Sheets and Pillowcases**
Other Miscellaneous Nondurables
Total Nondurables
Containers and Packaging
(Detail In Table 19)
Total Product Wastes f
Other Wastes
Total MSW Generated - %
8.1%
2.2%
1.7%
1.4%
1.2%
0.3%
Neg. ,
3.1%
1.5%
0.5%
20.0%
31.2%
61.9%
38.1%
100.0%
7.8%
2.0%
2.2%
1.7%
1.7%
0.3%
0,3%
3.0%
1.3%
0.6%
20.8%
35.5%
69.2%
30.8%
100.0%
7:3%
2.2%
.
2.6%
2.0%
1.5%
0.4%
0.1%
1.3%
2.8%
1.5%
1.9%
23.6%
34.6%
71.9%
28.1%
100.0%
6.8%
0.5%
1.4%
' 3.3%
0.3%
1.9%
2.3%
1.5%
0.3%
0.2%
0.4%
1.4%
1.9%
1.8%
0.3%
1.6%
26.0%
32.8%
74.1%
25.9%
100.0%
6.3%
0.4%
1.1%
3.2%
0.3%
1.9%
2.4%
1.4%
0:3%
0.2%
0.4%
1.4%
1.9%
2.1%
0.4%
1.6%
25.4%
33.0%
73.9%
, 26.1%
100.0%
6.2%
0.5%
1.2%
3.3%
0.3%
1 .8%
2.7%
1.4%
0.3%
0.2%
0.4%
1.4%
2.0%
2.2%
0,3%
1.7%
25.9%
33.5%
74.6%
25.4%
100.0%
6.3%
0.5%
1,1%
3.2%
0.2%
1.9%
3.1%
1.4%
0.4%
0.2%
0.4%
1.4%
2.1%
2.0%
0.4%
1.7%
26.3%
34.3%
76.0%
24.0%,
100.0%
6.5%,
0.5%
1.0%
3.2%
0.2%
2.1%
3.2%
1.4%
0.4%
0.2%
0.4%
1.4%
2.1%
2.1%.
0.4%
1.6%
27.0%
; 35.9%
77.2%
22.8%
100.0%
* Generation before materials recovery or combustion. Does not include construction & demolition debris, industrial
process wastes, or certain other wastes. Details may not add to totals due to rounding.
" Not estimated separately prior to 1990.
t Not estimated separately prior to 1980.
i Other than food products. , .. . /
Neg.« Loss than 5,000 tons or 0.05 percent.
Source: Franklin Associates, Ltd.
61
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Table 16
RECOVERY* OF PRODUCTS IN MUNICIPAL SOLID WASTE, 1960 TO 1994
(WITH DETAIL ON NONDURABLE GOODS)
(In thousands of tons and percent of generation of each product)
Products
Durable Goods
(Detail in Table 13)
Thousands of Tons
1960
350
1970
940
1980
1,360
1990
2,950
1991
3,280
1992
3,610
1993
3,980
Nondurable Goods
Newspapers
Bpoks and Magazines
Books"
Magazines**
' Office Papers
Telephone Directories**
Third Class Mail**
Other Commercial Printing
Tissue Paper and Towels
Paper Plates and Cups
Plastic Plates and Cupsf
Trash Bags**
Disposable Diapers
Other Nonpackaging Paper
Clothing and Footwear
Towels, Sheets and Pillowcases**
Other Miscellaneous Nondurables
Total Nondurable Goods
Containers and Packaging
(Detail in Table 20)
Total Product Wastes^
Other Wastes
Total MSW Recovered - Weight
Products
Durable Goods
(Detail in Table 13)
1,1320
90
, '250
130
Meg.
Meg.
40
10
Neg.
2,340
2,870
5,560
Neg.
5,560
2,250
. 260
710
340
. Meg.
Neg.
110
10
Neg.
3,680
3;350
7,970
Neg^
7,970
3,020
280
' 870
350
Neg.
Neg.
Neg.
Neg.
20
. Neg/
4,540
8,490 '
14,390
Neg.
14,390
,5,110
100
300
1,700
40
200
700
.Neg.
Neg.
10
Neg.
Neg.
Neg.
430
110
Neg.
8,700
17,040,
28,690
4,200
32,890
5,740
120
340
2,270
- 50"
340
850
Neg.
Neg.
20
Neg.
Neg.
Neg.
560
130
Neg.
10,420
18,520
32,220
5,000
37,220
6,000
140
380
2,440
50
350-
. 1 ,000
Neg.
Neg.
20
Neg.
Neg.
Neg.
540
120
Neg.
11,040
20,800
35,450
6,000
41,450
5,670
1
180
450
2,650
50
440
900
Neg.
Neg.
. 20
Neg.
Neg.
Neg.
480
: 130
Neg.
10,970
22,400 1
37,350
6,500
43;850
1994
4,420
6,130
220
650
2,880
50
. 610
1,090
Neg.
Neg.
. ' 20
.Neg,
Neg.
Neg.
550
130
Neg.
12,330
25,090
41 ,840
7,480
49,320
Percent of Generation of Each Product
19(30
3.7%
.
1970
6.0%
1980
6.5%
1990
9.8%'
1991
10.8%
1992
11.7%
1993
12.5%
1994
14.8%
Nondurable Goods .
Newspapers
Books and Magazines
Books**
Magazines**
Office Papers
-. Telephone Directories**
Third Class Mail"
Other Comme,rcial Printing
Tissue Paper and Towels
Paper Plates and Cups
Plastic Plates and Cupsf
Trash Bags**
Disposable Diapers
Other Nonpackaging Paper
Clothing and Footwear
Towels, Sheets and Pillowcases**
Other Miscellaneous Nondurables
Total Nondurables
Containers and Packaging
(Detail.iri Table 21)
Total Product Wastes]:
Other Wastes
Total MSW Recovered - %
25.6%
4.7%
16.4%
10.3%
Meg.
Neg.
1.5%
Neg.
Neg.
13.3%
10.5%
10.2%
Neg.
,6.3%
23.7%
10.5%
. 26.8%
16.0%
Neg.
Neg.
3.0%
Neg.
-Neg.
14.4%
7.7%
9.4%
Neg.
6.5%
27.3%
8.3%
21.7%
11.3%
Neg.
Neg.
Neg.
Neg.
Neg.
Neg.
12.6%
16.1%
13.1%
Neg.
, 9.4%
38.0%
10.3%
- 10.6%
26.5%
6.6%
5.2%
15,7%
Neg.
Neg.
3.1%
Neg.
Neg.
Neg.
11.8%
17.7%
Neg.
17.0%
26.3%
19.7%
8.2%
16.7%
46.0%
13.8%
15.5%
35.9%
7.9%
9.2%
18.0%
Neg.
Neg.
6.7%
Neg.
Neg.
Neg.
. 13.4%
16.0%
Neg.
20.8%
28.5%
22.2%
9.7%
18.9%
47.3%
15.1%
16.0%
36.6%
7.4%
9.8%
18.2%
Neg.
Neg.
5.9%
Neg.
Neg.
Neg.
12.3%
16.9%
Neg.
21.0%
30.6% <
23.4%
11.7%
20.4%
43.8%
16;8%
20.1%
, 40.1%
10.4%
11 .0%
13.8%
Neg.
Neg.
5.7%
Neg.
Neg.
Neg.
11.8%
17.3%
Neg.
20.2%
31.7%
23.8%
13.1%
21,2%
45.3%
' 19.3%
30.1%
42.6%
10.6%
13.9%
16.2%
Neg.
Neg.
4.5%
Neg.
Neg.
Neg.
12.2%
16.9%
Neg.
21 .9%
33.5%
25.9%
15.7%
23.6%
* Recovery of postconsumer wastes; does not include converting/fabrication scrap.
** Not estimated separately prior to 1990. ...
t Not estimated separately prior to 1980.
i Other than food products. ,
Neg. = Less than 5,000 tons or 0.05 percent.
Source: Franklin Associates, Ltd.
62
-------
Table 17
PRODUCTS DISCARDED* IN THE MUNICIPAL WASTE STREAM, 1960 TO 1994
{WITH DETAIL ON NONDURABLE GOODS)
(In thousands of tons and percent of total discards)
Products
Durable Goods
(Detaftln Table 14)
Nondurable Goods
Newspapers
Books and Magazines
Books**
Magazines**
Office Papers
Telephone Directories**
Third Class Mail**
Other Commercial Printing
Tissue Paper and Towels
Paper Plates and Cups
Plastic Plates and Cupsf
Trash Bags"
Disposable Diapers
Other Nonpackaging Paper
Clothing and Footwear
Towels, Sheets and Pillowcases**
Other Miscellaneous Nondurables
Total Nondurable Goods
Containers and Packaging
(Detail in Table 22)
Total Product Wastes j:
Other Wastes
Total MSW Discarded - Weight
Products
Durable Goods
(Detail In Table 14)
Nondurable Goods
Newspapers
Books and Magazines
Books**
Magazines**
Office Papers
Telephone Directories'*
Third Class Mail"
Other Commercial Printing
Tissue Paper and Towels
Paper Plates and Cups
Plastic Plates and Cupst
Trash Bags'*
Disposable Diapers
Other Nonpackaging Paper
Clothing and Footwear
Towels, Sheets and Pillowcases"
Other Miscellaneous Nondurables
Total Nondurables
Containers and Packaging
(Detail in Table 23)
Total Product Wastesf
Other Wastes
Total MSW Discarded- %
, Thousands of Tons,
1960
9,050
1970
14,830
1980
19,570
1990
27,090
1991
27,220
1992
27,340
1993
27,860
1994
25,510
5,290
1,830
1,270
1,130
1,090
270
Neg.
2,660
1,270
410
15,220
24,490
48,760
33,500
82,260
7,260
. 2,210
1,940
1,790
2,080
420
350
3,520
1,550
690
21,810
40,210
76,850
37,780
114,630
8,030
3,110
3,140
2,760
2,300
630
190
1,930
4,230
2,240
2,900
31,460
44,180
95,210
42,750
137,960
8,320
870
2,530
4,710
570
3,620
3,760
2,960
650
310
780
2,700
3,840
3,200
510
3,200
42,530
47,690
117,310
46,-900
164,210
6,740
750
1,860
4,050
580
3,350
3,860
2,690
.660
, 280
770
2,810
3,800
3,630
680
3,070
39,580
46,390
113,190
46,360
159,550
6,680
790
1,990
4,220
630
3,210
4,500
2,750
680
320
, 840
2,870
4,120
3,860
590
3,380
41,430
47,230
116,000
45,500
161,500
7,270
890
1,790
3,960
430
3,560
5,600
2,,870
BOO
330
890
2,910
4,250
3,580
620
3,510
43,260
48,370
119,490
43,110
162,600
7,410
920
1,510
3,880
420
3,790
5,650
2,860
870
420
910
2,980
4,480
3,940
640
3,400
44,080
49,880
119,470
40,290
159,760
Percent of Total Discards
1960
11.0%
1970
12.9%
1980
14.2%
1990
16.5%
1991
17.1%
1992
16.9%
1993
17.1%
1994
16.0%
6.4%
2.2%
1.5%
1.4%
1.3%
0.3%
Neg.
3.2%
1.5%
0.5%
18.5%
29.8%
59.3%
40.7%
100.0%
6.3%
1.9%
1.7%
1.6%
1.8%
' 0.4%
0.3%
3.1%
1.4%
0.8%
19.0%
35.1%
67.0%
33.0%
100.0%
5.8%
2.3%-
2.3%
2.0%
1.7%
0.5%
0.1%
1.4%
3.1%
1.6%
3.5%
22.8%
32.0%
69.0%
31.0%
100.0%
5.1%
0.5%
1.5%
2.9%
0.3%
2.2%
2.3%'.
1.8%
0.4%
, 0.2%
0.5%
1.6%
2.3%
1.9%
0.3%
1.9%
25.9%
29.0%
71.4%
28.6%
100.0%
4.2%
0.5%
1.2%
2.5%
0.4%
2.1%
2.4%
1.7%
0.4%
0.2%
0.5%
1.8%
2.4%
2.3%
0.4%
1.9%
24.8%
29.1%
70.9%
29.1%
100.0%
4.1%
0.5%
1.2%
. 2.6%
0.4%
2.0%
2.8%
1.7%
0.4%
, 0.2%
0.5%
1.8%
2.6%
. 2.4%
0.4%
2,1%
25.7%
29.2%
71.8%
28.2%
100.0%
4.5%
0.5%
1.1%
2.4%
0.3% ,
2:2%
3.4%
1.8%
0.5%
0.2%
0.5%
1.8%
, 2.6%
2.2%
0.4%
2.2%
26.6%
'29.7%
73.5%
26.5%
100.0%
4.6%
0.6%
0.9%
2.4%
0.3%
2.4%
3.5%
1.8%
0.5%
0.3%
0.6%
1.9%
2.8%
2.5%'
0.4%
2.1%
27.6%
31.2%
74.8%
25.2%
100.0%
* Discards after materials and compost recovery. Poes not include construction & demolition debris, industrial process
process wastes, or certain other wastes. Details may not add to totals due to rounding.
** Not estimated separately prior to 1990. _ . '
f Not estimated separately prior to 1980. ' ;
$ Other than food products.
Nag. B Less than 5,000 tons or 0.05 percent.
Source: Franklin Associates, Ltd.
63
-------
Containers and Packaging
. . Containers and packaging make up a major portion of MSW, amounting
to 75.0 million tons of generation in 1994 (35.9 percent of total generation).
Generation, recovery, and discards of containers and packaging are shown in
detail in Tables 18 through 23. .-...'. ... '..:.." : i
- There is substantial recovery of many container and packaging products,
especially corrugated containers. In 1994, 33.5 percent of containers and packaging
generated was .recovered for recycling. Because of this recovery, containers and
packaging comprised 31.2 percent of total MSW discards in 1994. ' , ;, .
Containers and packaging in MSW are made of several materials; paper
and paperboard, glass, ferrous'metals> aluminum, plastics,, wood, and small .'
amounts of other materials. Each materials category is discussed separately
below. , . . . ' .
Glass Containers. Glaiss containers include beer and.soft drink bottles, wine
and liquor bottles, and bottles and jars for food, cosmetics, and other products.
Generation of glass containers is estimated using Department of Commerce data.
Adjustments are made for imports and exports of both empty glass containers
and containers, holding products, e.g., imported beer. ,
Generation of these glass containers was 12.1 million tons in 1994, or 5.8
percent of MSW generation (Tables 18 and 19). This is a decrease in generation ,
compared to 1993. " ,
., '..'".'. , ' . . ' ' .
.The Glass Packaging Institute (GPI) reports a recovery rate for glass
containers, but includes reuse of refillable bottles in the figure. Since refilling is
defined as reuse rather .than recycling in this report, the refilled bottles are not
counted as recovery here. An estimated 3.1 .million tons of glass containers were
recovered for recycling in 1994, or 25.8 percent of generation. After recovery for
recycling/glass container discards were 9.0 million tons in 1994, or 5.6 percent of
total MSW discards. . . ' T
Steel Containers and Packaging. Steel beer and soft drink cans, food and
other cans, and other steel packaging (e.g., strapping), totaled 3.1 million tons in
1994 (1.5 percent of total generation), with most of that amount being "tin" cans
for. food (Tables 18 and 19). Generation estimates are based on data supplied by
the Steel Recycling Institute (SRI), the American Iron and Stee,l Institute (AISI),
and the Can Manufacturers Institute (CMI). Generation estimates include
adjustments for imports and exports. Generation of steel .containers and
packaging had been declining in the 1970s and 1980s, but has been increasing in
recent years. " ~ .
64
-------
Recovery data for steel containers and packaging were provided by the
Steel Recycling Institute. An estimated 1.6 million tons of steel packaging were
recovered in 1994, or 51.4 percent of generation. The SRI estimates include both
recovery from residential sources and magnetic separation of steel cans at waste-
to-energy facilities. . . - .
Aluminum Containers and Packaging. Aluminum containers and
packaging include beer and soft drink cans, other cans, and foil and closures.
Aluminum can generation is estimated based on data from the Can
Manufacturers Institute and the Aluminum Association, while data on other
aluminum packaging is based on Department of Commerce data. Total
aluminum container and packaging generation in 1994 was 2.1 million tons, or
1.0 percent of total MSW generation. ,
Aluminum can recovery data comes from the Aluminum Association.
Aluminum beer and soft drink cans were recovered at an estimated 65.5 percent
rate in 1994. Recovery of all aluminum packaging was estimated to be 51.4 ,
percent of total generation in 1994. After recovery for recycling, 940,000 tons of
aluminum packaging were discarded in 1994. This represented 0.6 percent of
MSW discards.
Paper and Paperboard Containers and Packaging. Corrugated boxes are the
largest single product category of MSW at 28.4 million tons generated, or 13.6
percent of total generation, in 1994. Corrugated boxes also represent the largest
single category of product recovery, at 15.7 million tons of recovery in 1994 (55.3
percent of boxes generated were recovered). After recovery, 12.7 million tons of
corrugated boxes were discarded, or 8.0 percent of MSW discards in 1994.
Other paper and paperboard packaging in MSW includes milk cartons,
folding boxes (e.g., cereal boxes, frozen food boxes, some department store boxes),
bags and sacks, wrapping papers, and other paper and paperboard packaging.
Overall, paper and paperboard containers and packaging totaled 37.8 million tons
of MSW generation in 1994, or 18.0 percent of total generation.
While recovery of corrugated boxes is by far the largest component of
paper packaging recovery, smaller amounts of other paper packaging products
are recovered (estimated at 1.4 million tons in 1994). The overall recovery rate
for paper and paperboard packaging in 1994 was 45.2 percent. Recovery of other
paper packaging like folding boxes and sacks is mostly in the form of mixed
papers. .
Plastic Containers and Packaging. Many different plastic resins are used to
make a variety of packaging products. Some of these include polyethylene
terephthalate (PET) soft drink bottlessome with high-density polyethylene
(HDPE) base cups, HDPE milk jugs, film products (including bags and sacks)
made of low-density polyethylene (LDPE and LLDPE), and containers and other
65
-------
packaging (including coatings, closures, etc.) made of polyvinyl chloride, ,
polystyrene, polypropylene, cthd other resins. , / : ;
., Estimates of generation of plastic containers and packaging are based on :,
data on resin sales by end use published annually by Modern Plastics, a trade
publication. Adjustments are made for imports and exports based on Department
of Commerce data. : . .__.>.' , - .
Plastic containers and packaging have exhibited rapid growth in MSW,
with generation increasing from 120,000 tons in 1960 (0.1 percent,of generation)
to 9.5 million tons in 1994 (4.5 percent of generation). (Note: plastic packaging as
a category in this report does not include single-service plates and cups and trash
bags, which are classified as nondurable goods.)
Estimates of recovery of plastic products are based on data published
annually by the American Plastics Council. Plastic soft drink bottles and base cups
were estimated to have been recovered at a 50.0, percent rate in 1994- Recovery of
plastic milk and water bottles was estimated to have been 29.8 percent of
generation. Overall, recovery of plastic containers and packaging was estimated
to be 7.5 percent in 1994. Discards of plastic containers and packaging were thus
8.8 million tons in 1994, or 5.5 percent of total discards. (As explained earlier in
this chapter, the basis for reporting plastics recovery has been changed to be more
consistent with the basis for other materials.) / .
r ' ' * , ' ''_,"',-,
Wood Packaging. Wood packaging includes wood crates and pallets
(mostly pallets). Data on production of wood packaging (in units) is obtained
from the Wooden Pallet and Container Association, and converted to weight
using converting factors for wood. In 1994, 10.1 million tons of wood packaging
were estimated to have been generated. W-ood packaging was thus 4.9 percent of
total generation in 1994. ,
There is increasing recovery of wood pallets, mostly by chipping to make
products like mulch. The Wooden Pallet and Container Association provides
data on recovery of wood pallets. It was estimated that 1.4 million tons of wood
were recovered in this manner in 1994, or 14.0 percent of generation. This left 8.8
million tons discarded in 1994, or 5.5 percent pf total MSW discards.
There is considerable reuse of wood .pallets. Reuse was not counted as
recycling in this chapter, but is accounted for when calculating wood pallet
generation. Reuse of pallets is discussed further in the section on source .,.'-'
reduction in Chapter 3. , ,
Other Packaging. Estimates are included for some other miscellaneous
packaging such as bags made of textiles, small amounts of leather, and the like.
These latter quantities are not well documented, but were estimated to amount
to 180,000 tons generated in 1994. , , ,: ' - '. ,-
66
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Table 18
PRODUCTS GENERATED* IN THE MUNICIPAL WASTE STREAM, 1960 TO 1994
(WITH DETAIL ON CONTAINERS AND PACKAGING)
(In thousands of tons)
Products
Durable Goods
(Detail In Table 12)
Nondurable Goods
(Detail In Table 15)
Thousands of Tons
1960
9,400
17,560
1970
15,770
25,490
1980
20,930
36,000
1990
30,040
51,230
1991
30,500
50,000
1992
30,950
52,470
1993
31,840
54,230
1994
29,930
56,410
Containers and Packaging ,
Glass Packaging
Beer and Soft Drink Bottles
Wine and Liquor Bottles
Food and Other Bottles & Jars
Total Glass Packaging
Steel Packaging
Beer and Soft Drink Cans
Food and Other Cans
Other Steel Packaging
Total Steel Packaging
Aluminum Packaging
Beer and Soft Drink Cans
Other Cans
Foil and Closures
Total Aluminum Packaging
Paper & Paperfaoard Pkg
Corrugated Boxes
Milk Cartons"
Folding Cartons**
Other Paperboard Packaging
Bags and Sacks**
Wrapping Papers'*
Other Paper Packaging
Total Paper & Board Pkg
Plastics Packaging
Soft Drink Bottles**
Milk Bottles** ' '
Olher Containers
Bags and Sacks**
Wraps*'
Other Plastics Packaging
Total Plastics Packaging
Wood Packaging
Other Misc. Packaging
Total Containers & Pkg
Total Product Wastesf
Other Wastes
Food Wastes
Yard Trimmings
Miscellaneous Inorganic Wastes
Total Other Wastes
Total MSW Generated - Weight
1,400
1,080
3,710
6,190
640
3,760
260
4,660
Neg.
Neg.
170
170
7,330
3,840
2,940
14,110
60
60
120
2,000
110
27,360
54,320
12,200
20,000
1,300
33,500
87,820
5,580
1,900
4,440
11,920
1,570
3,540
270
5,380
100
60
410
570
12,750
4,830
3,810
21 ,390
910
1,180
2,090
2,080
130
43,560
84,820
12,800
23,200
1,780
37,780
122,600
6,740
2,450
4,780
13,970
520
2,850
240
3,610
850
40
380
1,270
17,080
790
3,820
230
3,380
200
850
26,350 ,
260
230
890
390
840
' 790
3,400
3,940
130
52,670
109,600
13,000
27,500
' 2,250
42,750
152,350
5,640
2,030
4,160
1 1 ,830
150
2,540
200
2,890
1,550
20
330
1 ,900
24,010
500
4,300
290
2,440
110
*-
1,020
32,670
430
530
1,780
940
1,530
2,200
7,410
7,880
150
64,730
146,000
13,200,
35,000
2,900
51,100
197,100
5,270
1,810
4,110
11,190
90
2,990
190
3,270
1,580
30
320
1,930
24,100
500
4,600
270
2,280
80
1,050
32,880
450
490
1,840
930
1,700
2,180
7,590
7,900
150
64,910
145,410
13,410
35,000
2,950
51 ,360
196,770
5,480
1,930
4,350
11,760
80
2,730
170
2,980
1,580
30
330
1,940
- 25,400
480
, 4,590
280'
2,320
80
1.12Q
: 34,270
510
510
1,980
970
1,820
2,320
8,110
8,810
160
68,030
151,450
13,500
35,000,
3,000
51 ,500
202,950
1
5,480
1,960
4,830
12,270
70
2,710
210
. 2',990
1,610
40 .
330,
, 1 ,980
26,650
470
4,880
300
2,180
90
1,040.
35,610
560
550
2,050
1 ,050
1,820
2,390
8,420
9,340
160
70,770
156,840
13,760
, 32,800
3,050
49,610
206,450
5,250
1,820
' 5,000
te,070
10
2,920 .
180
3,110
1,710
40
340
2,090
28,420
520
5,140
, 300
2,240
90
1,110
37,820
640
570
2,060
1,590
2,080
2,550
9,490
10,210
180
74,970
161,310
14,070
30,600
3,100
47,770
209,080
* Generation before materials recovery or combustion.
Details may not add to totals due to rounding.
** Not estimated separately prior to 1980.
t Other than food products.
Neg. s Less than 5,000 tons or 0.05 percent.
Source: Franklin Associates, Ltd.
67
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Table 19
PRODUCTS GENERATED* IN T(HE MUNICIPAL WASTE STREAM, 1960 TO 1994
(WITH DETAIL ON CONTAINERS AND PACKAGING)
(In percent of total generation)
Products
Durable Goods
(Detail in Table 12)
Nondurable Goods
(Detail in Table 15) .
Percent of Total Generation ,
1960
10.7%
.v 20.0%
1970
12.9%
20.8%
1980
( 1,3.7%
23.6%
1990
15.2%
26.0%.
1991
15.5%
25.4%
1992
15.3%
25.9%
1993
15.4%
' 26.3%
1994
14.3%
27.0%
Containers and Packaging
Glass Packaging
Beer and Soft Drink.Bottles
Wine and Liquor Bottles
Food and Other Bottles & Jars
Total Glass Packaging
Steel Packaging,
Beer and Soft Drink Cans
Food and Other Cans
Other Steel Packaging
Total Steel Packaging
Aluminum Packaging
Beer and Soft Drink Cans
Other Cans
Foil and Closures
Total Aluminum Packaging
Paper & Paperboard Pkg
Corrugated Boxes
Milk Cartons**
Folding Cartons**
Other Paperboard Packaging
Bags and Sacks**
Wrapping Papers**
Other Paper Packaging
Total Paper & Board Pkg -
Plastics Packaging
Soft Drink Bottles**
Milk Bottles**
Other Containers
Bags and Sacks**
Wraps** ' '- . -
Other Plastics Packaging . .
Total Plastics Packaging
Wood Packaging '.
Other Misc. Packaging
Total Containers & Pkg
Total Product Wastes?
Other Wastes
Food Wastes
Yard Trimmings
Miscellaneous Inorganic Wastes
Total Other Wastes
Total MSW Generated - %
1.6%
1.2%
. , 4.2%
7.0%
0.7%
4.3%
0.3%
- 5.3%
Neg.
Neg.
0.2%
0.2%
' 8.3%
4.4%
3.3%
16.1%
0.1%
0.1%
0.1%
2.3%
0.1%
31.2%
61.9%
13.9%
22.8%
1.5%
38.1%
100.0%
4.6%
1.5%
3.6%
9.7%
1.3%
2.9%
0.2%
, 4.4%.
0.1% '
Neg.
0.3%
0.5%
10.4%
3.9%
3.1%
17.4%
0.7%
1.0%
1.7%
1 .7%
0.1%
35.5%
69.2%
10.4%
18.9%
1.5%
30.8%
100.0%
4.4%
1 .6%
3.1%
9.2%
0.3%
1.9%;
0.2%
2.4%
0.6%
Neg.
0.2%
0.8%
- :
11.2%
0.5%
2.5%
0.2%
2:2%
0.1%
,0.6%
17.3%
0.2%
0.2%
0.6%
0.3%
0.6%
0.5%
' 2.2%
2.6%
0.1%
34.6%
71.9%
-
8.5%
18.1%
1.5%
28.1%
100.0%
2.9%
1.0%
' 2.1%
6.0%
0.1%
1.3%
0.1%
1.5%
0,8%
Neg.
0.2%
1.0%
12.2%
0.3%
2.2%
0.1%
1.2%
0.1%
0.5%
16.6%
0.2%
0.3%
0.9%
0.5%
0.8%
1:1%
3.8%
4.0%
0.1%
32.8%
74.1%
. 6.7%
17.8%
,1.5%
25.9%
100.0%
2.7%
0.9%
2.1%
5.7%
Neg.
1 .5%
0.1%
1,7%
0.8%
Neg.
0.2%
1.0%
12.2%
0.3%
2.3%
0.1%
1.2%
0;0%
0.5% -
16.7%
0.2%
,0.2%
0.9%
0.5%
0.9%
1.1%
3.9%
4.0%
0.1%
'33.0%
73.9%
6.8%
* 17.8%
1 .5%
26.1%
100.0%
2.7%
1.0%
2.1%
-. 5.8%
Neg.
1 .3%
0.1%
: 1.5%
0.8%
Neg.
0.2%
1.6%
12.5%
0.2%
2.3%
. 0.1%
1.1%
0.0%
6.6%
16^9%
0.3%
0.3%
1.0%,
0.5%
0.9%
1.1%
4.0%
4.3%
, 0.1%
33.5%
74.6%
. 6.7%
17.2%
1 .5%
25.4%
100.0%
2.7%
. 0.9%
2.3%
5.9%
Neg.
1.3%
0.1%
1.4%
0.8%
Neg.
- 0.2%
1.6%
12.9%
0.2%
2.4%!
oh%
1.1%
0.0%
0.5%
17.2%
0.3%
0.3%
1.0%
0.5%
0.9%
1.2%
4.1%
4.5%
0.1%
34.3%
76.0%
6.7%
15.9%
1.5%
24.0%
1'00.0%
2.5%
0,9%
2.4%
5.8%
Neg.
1.4%
- 6.1%
1.5%
0.8%
Neg.
6.2%
1.0%
. 13.6%
, 0.2%
, 2.5%
0,1%
1.1%
0.0%
0.5%
' 18.1%
0.3%
0.3%
,1.0%
' 0.8%
1.0%
1.2%
4.5%
4.9%
0.1%
- 35.9%
77.2%
6.7%
14.6%
1.5%
22.8%
100,0%
* Generation before materials recovery or combustion.
Details may not add to totals due to rounding.
** Not estimated separately priorto 1980.
t Other than food products.
Neg. = Less than 5,000 tons or 0,05 percent. ,
Source: Franklin Associates, Ltd,
68
-------
Table 20
RECOVERY* OF PRODUCTS IN MUNICIPAL SOLID WASTE, 1960 TO 1994
(WITH DETAIL ON CONTAINERS AND PACKAGING)
(In thousands of tons)
Products
Durable Goods
(Detail In Table 13)
Nondurable Goods
(Detail In Table 16)
Thousands of Tons
1960
350
2,340
1970
940
3,680
1980
1,360
4,540
1990
2,950
8,700
1991
3,280
10,420
1992
3,610
11,040
1993
3,980
10,970
1994
4,420
12,330
Containers and Packaging
Glass Packaging
Beer and Soft Drink Bottles
Wine and Liquor Bottles
Food and Other Bottles & Jars
Total Glass Packaging
Steel Packaging
Beer and Soft Drink Cans
Food and Olher Cans
Other Steel Packaging
Total Steel Packaging
Aluminum Packaging
Beer and Soft Drink Cans
Other Cans
Foil and Closures
Total Aluminum Pkg
Paper & Paperboard Pkg
Corrugated Boxes
Milk Cartons"
Folding Cartons**
Olher Paperboard Packaging
Bags and Sacks**
Wrapping Papers**
Other Paper Packaging
Total Paper & Board Pkg
Plastics Packaging
Soft Drink Bottles**
Milk Bottles"
Other Containers
Bags and Sacks**
Wraps"
Other Plastics Packaging
Total Plastics Packaging
Wood Packaging
Other Misc. Packaging
Total Containers & Pkg
Total Product Wastesf
Other Wastes
Food Wastes
Yard Trimmings
Miscellaneous Inorganic Wastes,
Total Other Wastes
Total MSW Recovered - Weight
90
10
Neg.
100
10
20
Neg.
30
Neg.
Neg.
Neg.
Neg.
2,520
220
2,740
Neg.
Neg.
Neg.
Neg.
Neg.
2,870
5,560
Neg.
Neg.
Neg.
Neg.
5,560
140
10
Neg.
150
20
60
Neg.
' 80
10
Neg.
Neg.
10
2,760
350
3,110
Neg.
Neg.
Neg.
Neg.
Neg.
3,350
, 7,970
Neg.
Neg.
Neg.
Neg.
7,970
730
20
Neg.
750
50
150
Neg.
200
310
Neg.
Neg.
310
6,390
Neg.
Neg.
520
Neg.
Neg.
310
7,220
10
Neg.
Neg.
Neg.
Neg.
Neg.
10
Neg.
Neg.
8,490
14,390
Neg.
Neg.
Neg.
Neg.
14,390
1,890
' 210
520
2,620
40,
590
60
690
990
Neg.
20
1,010
11,530
Neg.
340
Neg.
200
Neg.
Neg.
12,070
140
20
20
30
30
20
260
390
Neg.
17,040
28,690
Neg.
4,200
Neg.
4,200
32,890
1,360
380
820
2,560
40
930
50
1,020
990
Neg.
20
1,010
12,110
Neg.
450
Neg.
250
Neg.
Neg.
12,810
160
70
70
10
10
10
330
790.
Neg.
18,520
32,220
Neg.
5,000
Neg.
5,000
37,220
1,530
430
930
2,890
40
1 ,090 .
50
1,180
1,080
Neg.
30
1,110
13,310
Neg.
460
Neg.
340
Neg.
' Neg.
14,110
210
110
80
i 20
.20
10
450
1,060
Neg.
20,800
35,450
Neg.
6,000
Neg.
6,000
41,450
1 ,600
450
960
3,010
40
1,300
50
, 1,390
1,010
Neg.
30
1,040
13,970
Neg.
770
Neg.
400
Njeg.
Neg.
15,140
230
130
90
20
. 30
10
510
1,310
Neg.
22,400
37,350
Neg.
6,500
Neg.
6,500
43,850
1,650
470
990
3,110
Neg.
1,550
50
1,600
. 1,120
Neg.
30
1,150
15,710
Neg.
960
Neg.
420
Neg.
Neg.
17,090
320
170
140
40
30
10
710
1,430
Neg.
25,090
41,840
480
7,000
Neg.
7,480
49,320
* Recovery of postconsumer wastes; does not include converting/fabrication scrap.
" Not estimated separately prior to 1980.
t Other than food products.
Details may not add to totals due to rounding.
Nag. m Less than 5,000 tons or 0.05 percent.
Source: Franklin Associates, Ltd.
69
-------
.Table 21
RECOVERY* OF PRODUCTS IN MUNICIPAL SOLID WASTE, 1960 T01994
y (WITH DETAIL ON CONTAINERS AND PACKAGING)
(In percent of generation of each product)
Products . . .
Durable Goods
(Detail in Table 13) '
Nondurable Goods
.(Detail in Table 16)
Percent of Generation of Each Product
1960
3.7%
13.3%
1970
6.0%
14.4%
1980
6.5%
' - .
12.6%
1990
9.8%
' 17.0%
1991
10.8%
20.8%
1992
11.7%
21.0%
1993
12.5%
20.2%
1994
14.8%
21 .9%
.
Containers and Packaging
Glass Packaging
Beer and Soft Drink Bottles
Wine ancfLiquor Bottles
Food and Other Bottles & Jars
.' Total Glass Packaging
Steel. Packaging
Beer and Soft Drink Cans
- Food and Other Cans
Other Steel Packaging
Total Steel Packaging '
Aluminum .Packaging
Beer and Soft Drink Cans
Other Cans -
Foil and Closures
Total Aluminum Pkg
Paper & Paperboard Pkg
Corrugated Boxes
Milk Cartons**
Folding Cartons** ' .
Other Paperboard Packaging
Bags and Sacks**
Wrapping Papers**
Other Paper Packaging
Total Paper & Board Pkg
Plastics Packaging
Soft Drink Bottles**
Milk Bottles**
Other Containers .
Bags and Sacks**. ,
Wraps**
Other Plastics Packaging
Total Plastics Packaging
Wood Packaging
Other Misc, Packaging
Total Containers & Pkg
Total Product Wastes/-
Other Wastes
Food Wastes
Yard Trimmings '
Miscellaneous Inorganic Wastes
Total Other Wastes
Total MSW Recovered - %
, v
6.4%
Neg.
Meg.
1 .6%
1.6%
Neg.
Meg.
Meg.
Neg.
Meg.
' Meg.
Neg.
34.4%
Neg.
7.5%
19.4%
Neg.
Neg.
Neg.
Neg.
Neg.
10.5%
10.2%
Neg.
Neg.
Neg.
Meg.
6.3%
2.5%
Neg.
Neg.
1.3%
1 .3%
1.7%
Neg.
1 .5%
10.0%
Neg.
Neg.
1.8%
21.6%
,
Neg.
9.2%
14.5%
^Neg.
Neg.
Neg.
Neg.
Neg.
7.7%
9.4%
' Neg.
Neg.
Neg.
Neg.
6.5%
' 10.8%
Neg.
Neg.
5.4%
9.6%
5.3%
Neg.
5.5%.
36.5%
Neg.
Neg.
24.4%
37.4%
Neg.
Neg.
Neg.
Neg.
Neg..
. 36.5%
27.4%
3.8%
Neg.
Neg.
Neg.
Neg.
Neg.
Neg.
Neg.
Neg.
16.1%
13.1%
Neg.
Neg.
Neg.
Neg.
9.4%
33.5%
10.3%
12.5%
22.1%
26.7%
23.2%
30.0%
23.9%
- j
63.9%
Neg.
6.1%
53.2%
48.0%
Neg.
Neg.
Neg.
- Neg.
Neg.
Neg.
36.9%
32.6%
. 3.8%
1,1%
3.2%
, 2.0%,
0.9%
3.5%
4.9%
Neg.
26.3%
19.7%
Neg.
12.0%
Neg.
8.2%
16.7%
25.8%
21.0%
20.0%
22.9%
44,4%
31.1%
26.3%
31.2%
62.7%
Neg.
6.3%
52.3%
50.2%
Neg.
9.8%
Neg.
11.0%
Neg.
Neg.
39.0%
35.6%
14.3%
3.8%
1.1%
0.6%
0.5%
4.3%
10.0%
Neg.
28.5%
22.2%
Neg.
14.3%
Neg.
9.7%
18.9%
27.9%
22.3%
21.4%
24.6%
50.0%
39.9%
:29.4%
39.6%
68.4%
Neg.
9.1%
57.2%
52.4%
Neg.
10.0%
Neg.
14.7%
Neg.
- Neg.
41.2%
41.2%
21 .6%
4.0%
2.'1%
1.1%
0:4%
5.5%
12.0%
Neg.
30.6%
23.4%
Neg.
17.1%
Neg.
11.7%
20.4%
29.2%
23.0%
19.9%
24.5%
57.1%
48.0%
23.8%
46.5%
62.7%
Neg.
9.1%
52.5%
52.4%
Neg.
15.8%
Ne'g.
18.3%
Neg.
Neg.
42.5%
41.1%
23.6%
4.4%
1.9%
1.6%
0.4%
6.1%
14.0%
Neg.
31/7%
23.8%
Neg.
19.8%
Neg.
13.1%
21 .2% .
-31.4%
25.8%
19.8%
25.8%
Neg.
53.1%
27.8%
.51.4%
- -
65.5%
Neg.
8.8%
55.0%
55.3%
,Neg.
18.7%
Neg.
18.8%
Neg.
Neg.
45.2%
50.0%
29.8%
6.8%
2.5%
1.4%
0.4%
7.5%
14.0%
Neg.
33.5%
25.9%
3.4%
. 22.9%
Neg'. -
15.7%
23.6%
* Recovery of postconsumer wastes; does not include converting/fabrication scrap.
** Not estimated separately prior to 1980.
t Other than food products.
Details may not add to totals due to rounding. .
Neg. = Less than 5,000 tons or 0.05 percent. , .
Source: Franklin Associates, Ltd.
-. 70
-------
Table 22
PRODUCTS DISCARDED* IN THE MUNICIPAL WASTE STREAM, 1960 TO 1994
(WITH DETAIL ON CONTAINERS AND PACKAGING)
(In thousands of tons)
Products
Durable Goods
(DetalilnTable14)
Nondurable Goods
(Detail in Table 17)
Thousands of Tons
1960
9,050
15,220
1970
14,830
21,810
1980
19,570
31,460
1990
27,090
42,530
1991
27,220
39;580
1992
27,340
41,430
1993
27,860
43,260
1994
'25,510
' '44,080
Containers and Packaging !
Glass Packaging
Beer and Soft Drink Bottles
Wine and Liquor Bottles
Food and Other Bottles & Jars
Total Glass Packaging
Steel Packaging
Beer and Soft Drink Cans
Food and Olher Cans
Other Steel Packaging
Total Steel Packaging
Aluminum Packaging
Beer and Soft Drink Cans
Other Cans
Foil and Closures
Total Aluminum Pkg
Paper & Paperboard Pkg
Corrugated Boxes
Milk Cartons"
Folding Cartons**
Olher Paperboard Packaging
Bags and Sacks**
Wrapping Papers**
Other Paper Packaging
Total Paper & Board Pkg
Plastics Packaging
Soft Drink Bottles"
Milk Bottles"
Other Containers
Bags and Sacks"*
Wraps**
Other Plastics Packaging
Total Plastics Packaging
Wood Packaging
Other Misc. Packaging
Total Containers & Pkg
Total Product Wastesf
Other Wastes
Food Wastes
Yard Trimmings
Miscellaneous Inorganic Wastes
Total Other Wastes
Total MSW Discarded - Weight
1,310
1,080
3,710
6,090
640
3,760
260
4,660
Neg.
Neg.
170
170
4,810
3,840
2,720
11,370
60
60
120
2,000
110
24,490
48,760
12,200
20,000
1,300
33,500
82,260
5,440
1,900
4,440
11,770
1,570
3,480,
270
5,300
100
60
410
560
9,990
4,830
3,460
18,280
910
1,180
2,090
2,080
130
40,210
76,850
'12,800
23,200
1,780
37,780
114,630
6,010
2,450
4,780
13,220
520
2,700
240
3,410
540
40
380
960
10,690
790
3,820
230
3,380
200
850
19,130
250
230
.890
390
840
790
3,390
3,940
130-
44,180
95,210
13,000
27,500
2,250
42,750
137,960
3,750
1,820
3,640
9,210
110
1,950
140
2,200
560
20
310
890
12,480
500
3,960
290
2,240
110
1,020
20,600
290
510
1 ,760
910
1,500
2,180
7,150
7,490
150
47,690
117,310
13,200
30,800
2,900
46,900
164,210
3,910
1,430
3,290
8,630
50
2,060
140
2,250
590
30
300
920
1 1 ,990
500
4,150
270
2,030
80
1,050
20,070
290
420
1 ,770
920
1,690
2,170
7,260
. 7,110
150
46,390
113,190
13,410
30,000
2,950
46,360
159,550
3,950
1 ,500
3,420
8,870
40
1,640
120
, 1,800
500
30
300
830
12,090
480
4,130
, 280
1,980
80
1,120
20,160
300
400
1 ,900
950
1,800
2,310
7,660
7,750
160
47,230
116,000
13,500
29,000
3,000
45,500
161,500
3,880
1,510
3,870
: 9,260
30
1,410
160
1,600
600
40
300
940
12,680
470
4,110
' 300
1,780
90
1 ,040
20,470
330
420
1,960
1,030
1,790
,2,380
7,910
. 8,030
160
48,370
119,490
13,760
26,300
3,050
43,110
162,600
,
3,600
1,350
4,010
, 8,960
10
, 1,370
130
1,510
590
40
310
940
12,710
520
. 4,180
300
1,820
, 90
1/110
20,730
320
400
1,920
* 1,550
2,050
2,540
8,780
8,780
180
49,880 <
119,470
13,590
23,600
3,100
40,290
159,760
* Discards after materials and compost recovery., Does not include construction & demolition debris, industrial process
wastes, or certain other wastes. Details may riot add to totals due to rounding.
" Not estimated separately prior to 1980.
f Other than food products.
Neg.» Less than 5,000 tons or 0.05 percent. , '
Source: Franklin Associates, Ltd.
71
-------
Table 23
PRODUCTS DISCARDED* IN THE MUNICIPAL WASTE STREAM, 1960 TO 1994
(WITH DETAIL ON CONTAINERS AND PACKAGING!)
(in percent of total discards)
--
Products
Durable Goods
(Detail in Table 14)
Nondurable Goods '
.(Detail in Table 17)
, Percent of Total Discards :
1 960
11.0%.
18.5%
1970
12.9%
19.0%
1980
14.2%
22.8% .
1990
16.5%
25.9%
1991
17.1%
24.8%
1992
16.9%
25.7%
1993
17,1%
26.6%
1994
16.0%
27.6%
Containers and Packaging ' -
Glass Packaging
; Beer and Soft Drink Bottles
Wine and Liquor Bottles
Food and Other Bottles & Jars
Total Glass Packaging
Steel Packaging
Beer and Soft Drink Cans
Food and Other Cans
Other Steel Packaging
Total Steel Packaging
Aluminum Packaging
Beer and Soft Drink Cans
Other Cans
Foil and Closures
Total Aluminum Pkg
Paper & Paperboard Pkg
Corrugated Boxes
Milk Cartons" .
Folding Cartons**
Other Paperboard Packaging
Bags and Sacks**
Wrapping Papers** .
Other Paper Packaging
Total Paper & Board Pkg
Plastics Packaging
Soft Drink Bottles**
Milk Bottles**
, Other Containers
Bags and Sacks**
Wraps**
Other Plastics Packaging *
Total Plastics Packaging
Wood Packaging -
Other Misc. Packaging
Total Containers & Pkg
Total Product Wastesf
Other Wastes
Food Wastes "
Yard Trimmings
Miscellaneous Inorganic Wastes
Total Other Wastes
Total MSW Discarded -%
1.6%
1.3%
4.5%
7.4%
0.8%
4.6%
0.3%
5.7%
Neg.
Neg.
0.2%
0.2%
5.8%
4.7%
'3.3%
13.8%
0,1%
0.1%
0.1%
2:.4%
.0.1%
29.8%
59.3%
14.8%
24,3%
1.6%
40.7%
100,0%
. -
4.7%
; 1.7%'
3.9%
- 10.3% "
1 .4%
3.0%
0.2%
4.6%
0.1%
Neg.
0.4%
0.5%
8,7%
4.2%
3.0%
- 15.9%
0.8%
1.0%
1.8% ;
1 .8%
0.1%
35,1%
67.0%
11.2%
20.2%
.1.6%
33.0%
100.0%
4.4%
"1.8%
3.5%
9.6%
0.4%
2.0%
0.2%
2.5%
0.4%
Neg.
0.3%
6.7%
7i7% '
0.6%
,2.8%
0.2%
,2.4%
.0.1%
0.6%
13.9%
0.2%
0.2%
0.6%
0.3%
0.6%
0.6%
2.5%
2.9%
0.1%
32:0%
69.0%
9.4%
19.9%
1.6%
31 .0%
100.0%
2.3%
1.1%
2.2%
5.6%
0.1%
1.2%
.0,1%
1.3%
0.3%
Neg.
0.2%
0.5%
7.6%
' 0.3%
2.4%
0.2%
1.4%
0.1%
0.6%
12-.5%
0.2%
0.3%
1.1%;
f 0.6%
0.9%
1.3%
4.4%
4.6%
0.1%
29.0%
71.4%
8rO%
18.8%
1.8%
28.6%
100.0%
, 2.5%
0.9%
2.1%
5.4%
Neg.
1.3%
-.0:1%
1.4%
0.4%
Neg.
0.2%
0.6%
7.5%
0.3%
2.6%
0.2%
1 .3%
0.1%
S0.7%
12.6%
0.2%
0.3%
1.1%
' 0.6%
1.1%
1.4%,
4.6%
4.5%
0.1%
29.1%
70.9%,
8.4%
18.8%
1.8%
29.1%
100.0%
2.4%
0.9%
2.1%
5.5%
Meg.
1.0%
0.1%
1.1%,
0.3%
Neg.
0.2%
0.5%
7.5%
0.3%
2.6%
. 0.2%
1.2%
, 0.0%
0.7%
12.5%
0.2%
0.2%
1.2%
0.6%
1.1%
1.4%
4.7%
4.8%
0.1%
29.2%.
71.8%
8.4%
18.0%
1.9%
28.2%
100.0%
2.4%
0.9%,
2.4%
5.7%
Neg.
0.9%
0.1%
,.1.0%
0.4%,
Neg.
0.2%
0.6%
7.8%
0.3%
2.5%
. .'. 0.2%
1.1%,
Q.1%
0.6%
.12.6%
.0.2%
0.3%
1:2%
0.6%
1.1%
1.5%
4.9%
4.9%
0.1%
,29.7%
73.5%
8.5%
16.2%
, 1.9%
26.5%,
100,0%
2.3%
0.8%
2.5%
5.6%
Neg.
0.9%
0.1%
0.9%
0.4%
Neg.
0.2%
; 0.6%
8.0%
0.3%
2.6%
0.2%
1.1%
0.1%
0.7%
, 13.0%
0.2%
0.3%
1,2%
1.0%
i.3%
1.6%
5,5%
5.5%
0.1%
31.2%
74.8%
8.5%
14.8%
1.9%
25.2%
100.0%
. * Discards after materials and compost recovery. Does not include constructidn & demolition debris, industrial process
wastes, or certain other wastes. Details may not add to totals'due to rounding,
** Not estimated separately prior to 1980.
t Other than food products. ,
Neg. = Less than 5,000 tons or 0.05 percent. .
Source: Franklin Associates, Ltd. - -
72
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Summary of Products in Municipal Solid Waste
Changing quantities and composition of municipal solid waste generation
by product category are illustrated in Figure 14. This figure shows graphically that
generation of durable goods has increased very gradually over the years.
Nondurable goods and containers and packaging have accounted for the large
increases in MSW generation.
The materials composition of nondurable goods in 1994 is shown in
Figure 15. Paper and paperboard made up 77.0 percent of nondurables in MSW
generation, with plastics contributing 8.4 percent, and textiles 7.3 percent. Other
materials contributed lesser percentages. After recovery for recycling, paper and
paperboard were 72.2 percent of nondurable discards, with plastics being 10.7.
percent, and textiles 7.8 percent.
The materials composition of containers and packaging in MSW in 1994 is
shown in Figure 16. Paper and paperboard products made up 50.4 percent of
containers and packaging generation, with glass second at 16.1 percent of
containers and packaging generation by weight. Wood made up 13.6 percent of
containers and packaging generation, while plastics were 12.6 percent,
' * , .
Recovery for recycling makes a significant change, with paper and
paperboard being 41.4 percent of containers and packaging discards after recovery
takes place. Glass was 17.9 percent of discards of containers and packaging, plastics
comprised 17.7 percent, and wood was 17.6, percent.
" Some additional perspectives on products in municipal solid waste are
included in other chapters of this report.
Figure 14. Generation of products in MSW, 1960 to 1994
1 150,000
1
100,000
50,000
Other Wastes
E3 Yard Wastes
EB Food Wastes
EH Containers & Packaging
E3 Nondurable Goods
D Durable Goods
1960 1965 1970 1975 1980 1985 1990 1994
73
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Figure 15. Nondurable goods generated and discarded
in municipal solid waste, 1994
(in percent of total generation and discards)
Metals 0.3%
s,. Plastics 8.4%
Rubber & Leather.2.3%'
Textiles 7.4%
Other 4.5%
Generation
Metals 0.4%
Plastics 10.7%
Paper &
Paperboard
72.2%
Rubber & Leather 2.9%
Textiles 7.9%
Other 5.9%
Discards
74
-------
Figure 16. Containers and packaging generated and discarded
in municipal solid waste, 1994
(in percent of total generation and discards)
^^ Glass 16.1%
Metals 6.9%
Plastics 12.7%
Other 13.9%
Generation
Glass 18.0%
Metals 4.9%
Plastics 17.6%
Other 17.9%
Discards
75,-
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Chapter 2
REFERENCES
-GENERAL
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Characterization of Municipal Solid
- Waste in the United States: 1994 Update. EPA/530-R-94-042. November 1994.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Characterization of Municipal Solid
Waste in the United States: 1992 Update. EPA/530-R-92-019. July 1992.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Characterization of Municipal Solid
Waste in the United States:1990 Update. EPA/530-SW-90-042. June 1991.
Franklin, M.A. Characterization of Municipal Solid Waste in the United States,
1960 to 2000 (Update 1988). U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. EPA/530-SW-
88-033. NTIS PB88-232780/WEP. March 1988. , . ;
Franklin, M.A. Characterization of Municipal Solid Waste in the United States,
1960 to 2000. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. REPT-15-3490-00. NTIS
PB87-178323/WEP. July 1986. , ; '
ALUMINUM CONTAINERS AND PACKAGING
The Aluminum Association. Aluminum Statistical Review. Various years.
Can Manufacturers Institute. Can Shipments Report. Various years.
U.S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of the Census. Current Industrial
Reports. "Closures forContainers." MQ34H. Various years.
CARPETS AND RUGS
, The Carpet and Rug Institute;. Carpet & Rug Industry Review. Various years.
l ,'"*'' ' . ) .. ' " ' , '
Personal communication with a representative of the Carpet and Rug Institute.
February 14,1992.
- '..*.',.' I ' -.''>-
Rauch Associates, Inc. The Ranch Guide to the U.S. Adhesives and Sealants
Industry. ISBN O-932157-05-X.
U.S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of the Census. Current Industrial
Reports. "Carpets and Rugs/' MA22Q. Various years.
76
-------
FERROUS METAL CONTAINERS AND PACKAGING
American Iron and Steel Institute. Annual Statistical Report Various years.
Can Manufacturers Institute. Can Shipments Report. Various years.
Personal communication with a representative of the Association of Container
Reconditioning. June 1994. ,
Personal communication with a representative of the Steel Recycling Institute -
July 1995. . .
Smith, F.L. A Solid Waste Estimation Procedure: Material Flows Approach. U.S.-.
Environmental Protection Agency. EPA/530-SW-147. May 1974.
U.S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of the Census. Current Industrial
Reports. "Closures for Containers." MQ34H. Various years.
FOOD WASTE
Food Manufacturers Institute. Composting Workbook. "Reducing Waste
Disposal Costs: How to Evaluate the Benefits of Composting in the Supermarket
Industry." Food Marketing Institute. 1994.
Grocery Committee on Solid Waste. Composting Task Force Report. October 24
1991.
Hinshaw, Jane, and Ivan Braun. "Targeting Commercial Businesses for
Recycling." Resource Recycling. November 1991.
Kunzler, Connie, Roe, Rebecca. "Food Service Composting Projects on the Rise."
Biocycle. April 1995.
Newell, Ty, Elizabeth Markstahler, and Matthew Snyder. "Commercial Food
Waste from Restaurants and Grocery Stores." Resource Recycling. February 1993.
Marion,, James, New York State Department of Corrections, Presentation at the
BioCycle conference. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 1994.
Savage, George M. "The History and Utility of Waste Characterization Studies."
MS W Management. May/June 1994.
U.S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of the Census. Current Population
Reports. Various years.
77
-------
U.S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of the Census. ''Combined Annual and
Revised Monthly Retail Trade." Current Business Reports. BR/94-RV.
. . . : - , -. . . ; . -...."' ' . .' -
U.S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of the Census. Statistical Abstract of the
United States. Various years.
U.S. Department of Commerce. "Trends and Forecasts: Retail Sales."- U.S.
industrial Outlook 1994.
Walsh, Patrick, Wayne Pferdehirt, and Phil O'Leary. "Collection of Recyclables
from Multifamily Housing and Businesses." Waste Age.'April 1993.
FURNITURE AND FURNISHINGS
U.S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of the Census. Census of Manufactures
and Annual Survey of Manufactures. Various years.
U.S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of the Census. Current Industrial
Reports. "Average Weight and Width of Broadwoven Fabrics (Gray)." MC-22T.
November 1977. .
U-S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of the Census. Current Industrial
Reports. "Office Furniture." MA-25H. Various years. '
Smith, F.L. A Solid Waste Estimation Procedure: Material Flows Approach. U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency. EPA/530-SW-147. May 1974. "
GLASS CONTAINERS
Brewers Almanac. Various years.
U.S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of the Census. Current Industrial -
Reports. "Glass Containers." M32G. Various years.
U.S. Department of Commerce. U.S. Exports, Schedule B Commodity by Country
- Domestic Merchandise. FT 447.
U.S. Department of Commerce. IT.S. Imports of Merchandise for Consumption.
.FT 110 and FT 125. . ,
Resource Recycling. Bottle/Can Recycling Update. June 1995. Page 4.
LEAD-ACID BATTERIES
American Automobile Manufacturers Association. AAMA Motor Vehicle Facts
and Figures. Various years.
78
-------
Apotheker, Steve. "Batteries Power Secondary Lead Smelter Growth." Resource
Recycling. February 1990.
Apotheker, Steve. "Does Battery Recycling Need a Jump?" Resource Recycling.
February 1990.
Apotheker, Steve. "Get the Lead Out." Resource Recycling. April 1991.
Battery Council International. Industry Statistics. Various years.
Battery Council International. National Recycling Rate Study. March 1995.
Franklin Associates, Ltd. Characterization of Products Containing Lead and
Cadmium in Municipal Solid Waste in the United States, 1970 to 2000. U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency, EPA/530-SW-89-015A. NTIS PB89- ,
151039/WEP. January 1989.
Motorcycle Industry Council, Inc. Motorcycle Statistical Annual. Various years.
U.S. Department of Commerce. U.S. Industrial Outlook "Metals." Various years.
U. S. Department of Commerce. Statistical Abstract of the United States. Various
years.
MAJOR APPLIANCES
Appliance Magazine. Corcoran Communications. September 1983.
Appliance Manufacturer. Annual Industry Marketing Guide, March issue of
various years.
Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers. Trends and Forecasts. 1971 to
1988.
Electrical Merchandising. January 1951.,
Gas Appliance Manufacturers Association. Statistical Highlights. Various years.
National Industrial Pollution Control Council. The Disposal of Major
Appliances. June 1971.
Personal communication with a representative of Amana, Inc. November 1991.
.'.*' - ' ' ' '
Personal communication with a representative of Steel Recycling Institute. May
1994. ',..-
79
-------
Purchasing Magazine. Cahnef's Publications. January 15/1987 and March 9,1989.
U.S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of the Census. Census of Manufactures.
Various years. . , , . . ~ .
U.S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of the Census. Current Industrial
Reports. "Major Household Appliances:" MA36F. Various years.
U.S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of the Census. Statistical Abstract of the
United States. Various years. .
PAPER AND PAPERBOARD
American Forest & Paper Association, Paper Recycling Group. 1995 Annual
Statistical Summary Waste Paper Utilization. April 1995.
American Forest & Paper Association. 1994 Statistics of Paper, Paperboard &
Wood Pulp. September 1994.
American Forest & Paper Association. Monthly Statistical Report. Various issues.
Franklin Associates, Ltd. Supply of and Recycling Demand for Office Waste
Paper, 1990 to 1995. National Office Paper Recycling Project. July 1991.
Franklin Associates, Ltd. Evaluation of Proposed New Recycled Paper Standards
and Definitions. Special Task Force on Standards and Definitions, Recycled Paper
Committee/Recycling Advisory Council. January 27, 1992. ,
LT.S. Postal Service. Annual Report of the Postmaster General: Fiscal Year 1994.
"U.S. Portal Service to Recycle Undelivered Bulk Business Mail." Waste Age.
September 1994. _ , " .
Yellow Pages Publishers Association. Yellow Pages Publishers Environmental
Network: Progress Report for the Year 1994. March 1,1995. Also earlier editions
of the same report.
PLASTICS
Modern Plastics. Resin Statistics. January issue, various years.
R.W. Beck and Associates. "Postconsumer Plastics Recycling Rate Study for the
American Plastics Council." Various years.
U.S. Department of Commerce. 1994 If.S. Industrial Outlook. .
80
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RUBBER
American Automobile Manufacturers Association. AAMA Motor Vehicle Facts
and Figures. Various years.
« ,
National Petroleum News Market Facts. Mid-June issue. Various years.
McRee, Robert E. "Recap - Recapture: Incineration of Rubber for Energy
Recovery" Presented at the Joint NTDRA/RMA International Symposium.
Washington, DC. October 22,1982.
Retreaders Journal. April 1987.
Scrap Tire Management Council. "1994 Scrap Tire Use/Disposal Study". Results
published in Scrap Tire News. March 1995 ,
U.S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of the Census. Census of Manufactures.
Industry series 30A-30. Various years.
U.S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of the Census. Current Industrial
Reports. "Rubber Mechanical Goods." MA30C. Various years. ,
U.S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of the Census. Current Industrial
Reports. "Rubber: Production, Shipments, and Stocks." MA30A. Various years.
U.S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of the Census. Statistical Abstract of the
United States. Various editions.
U.S. Department of Commerce. U.S. Industrial Outlook. "Plastics and Rubber."
Also earlier editions. Various years.
U.S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of the Census. U.S'. Imports for
Consumption. FT 247. Table 1. 1991.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Markets for Scrap Tires. EPA/530-SW-9Q-
074A. October 1991. ,
TEXTILES AND FOOTWEAR
National Association of Hosiery Manufacturers. Fact Sheets. Various years.
Riggle, David. "Tapping Textile Recycling." BioCycle. February 1992.
Council for Textile Recycling. Textile Recycling Fact Sheet.
81
-------
U.S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of the Census. Current Industrial
Reports. "Apparel." MA23A, MA23E, MA23G. Various years.
U.S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of the Census. Current Industrial :
Reports. "Sheets, Towels and Pillowcases." MQ23X. Various years.
. ". ""''"', - ' ^ -
U.S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of the Census. Current Industrial
Reports. M ASIA, MA23E, MA23G^ and MA23*A. Various years. -...
U.S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of the Census. Statistical Abstract of the
United States. Various years.
WOOD PACKAGING
Personal communication with representative of the National Wooden Pallet
, and Container Association. June 1995. .- ; ,
. i ' .
Personal communication with representative of the U.S. Forestry Service
Laboratory, Princeton, WV. December 1991.
'" V - " . -«
Eshbach, Ovid, Ed. Handbook of Engineering Fundamentals: Second Edition.
John Wiley & Sons, Inc. - - .
Personal communication with representative of Virginia Polytechnical Institute.
December 1991.
Personal communication with representative of U.S. Department of Agriculture
Forest Service, Forest Products Laboratory. December 1991.
Misner, Michael. "Cutting into Wood Waste Markets." Waste Age. August 1991.
- ' ''.-.-. i '.'
U.S. Department of Commerce.IT.S. Industrial Outlook . "Wood Products."
Various year.
U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Forest Products Laboratory.
Wood Used in U.S. Manufacturing Industries, 1977. December 1983.
YARD TRIMMINGS
The Role of Recycling in Integrated Solid Waste Management to the Year 2000.
Franklin Associates, Ltd. Appendix J and Appendix K. Keep America Beautiful,.
Inc. September 1994.
Raymond Communications. "State Recycling Laws Update." 1994.
82
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Savage, George M. "The History and Utility of Waste Characterization Studies."
MSW Management. May/June 1994.
Steuteville, Robert. "The State of Garbage in America, Part I." Eiocycle. April
1995.
Steuteville, Robert. "The State of Garbage in America, Part II." Biocycle. May
1995. * V
"Yard Waste Legislation: Disposal Bans and Similar Bills as of July, 1993."
Composting Council. Fact Sheet. July 1993. '
83
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Chapters
MANAGEMENT OF MUNICIPAL SOLID WASTE
INTRODUCTION
EPA's tiered integrated waste management strategy includes the following'
components: ,
1; Source reduction (including reuse of products and backyard
composting of yard trimmings)
2. Recycling of materials (including composting)
3. Waste combustion (preferably with energy recovery) and landfilling.
Characterization of historical municipal solid waste (MSW) management is a
component of this report. Estimates of historical recovery of materials and yard
trimmings for recycling and composting are presented in Chapter 2. Estimates of
MSW combustion-are presented in this chapter, and quantities of waste
landfilled are estimated by subtracting combustion and recovery for recycling and
composting from total MSW generation as estimated in Chapter 2.
While source reduction is not quantified as a line item in this report/a
discussion of source reduction activities is included in this chapter. Source
reduction activities have the effect of .reducing MSW generation, while the other
management alternatives deal With MSW once it is generated.
SOURCE REDUCTION
-, ' ' . ' ' *
While the primary focus of this report is on generation of municipal solid
waste and the ways in which, the MSW is managed after it enters the waste
stream, there is another aspect to waste management: source reduction- (Note
that source reduction is often called "waste prevention.") EPA defines source
reduction as "any change in the design, manufacturing, purchase, or use of
materials or products (including packaging) to reduce the .amount or toxicity
before they become municipal solid waste. Prevention also refers to the reuse of
products or materials." Thus, source reduction activities affect the waste stream
before the point of generation. In this report, MSW is considered to have been
generated if it is placed at curbside or in a receptacle such as a dumpster for
pickup, or if it is taken by the generator to another site for disposal or other
management alternative.
Many attempts have been made to measure and quantify source reduction
activities. It is relatively easy to measure source reduction for a single product,
such as a package, or for a specific location, such as an office. It is much more
difficult to quantify source reduction on a national basis, and there is no
84
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consensus at this time as to how this could be done. Some steps toward
measuring source reduction have been identified; they include establishing a
baseline, tracking that baseline, and accounting for major variables that impact
generation rates. Variables that make accurate measurement difficult include
economic factors, technical innovations, changing demographics, and climatic
variations.
Source reduction measures encompass a'very broad range of activities by
private citizens, communities, commercial establishments, institutional
agencies, and manufacturers and distributors. In general, source reduction
activities include:
Designing products or packages so as to reduce the quantity of materials
or the toxicity of the materials used.
Reducing amounts of products or packages used through modification
of current practices.
Reusing products or packages already manufactured:
Lengthening the life of products to postpone disposal.
Managing non-product organic wastes (food wastes, yard trimmings)
through backyard composting or other on-site alternatives to disposal.
Product and Packaging Design for Source Reduction
Since source reduction of products and packages can save money through
reducing materials and energy costs, manufacturers and packagers have been
pursuing these activities for many years; Design for source reduction can take
several approaches:
A product or package can be reduced in size or made lighter. For
example, soft drink packaging, regardless of material, has been reduced
in weight over time (Table 24).
Table 24
REDUCTION IN WEIGHTS OF SOFT DRINK CONTAINERS, 1972 TO 1992
(In pounds per 100 containers) . ,
Soft Drink Containers -
One-way glass bottle (16 fluid ounce)
Steel can (12 fluid ounce)
Aluminum can (12 fluid ounce)
PET bottle (2 liter, one-piece) _
1972
75.70
10.50
4.50
14.60
'
1992
48.04
7.19
3.51
11.95
Percent
Change
-36.5%
-31.5%
-22.0%
-18.2%
Source: Franklin Associates, Ltd.
85
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Materials substitution can make a product or package lighter. There has
been a continuous trend of substitution of lighter materials such as
plastics and aluminum for materials such as glass and steel. The
substitution may often be a flexible package (such as a bag) instead of a
rigid package (such as a box). For example, a brick pack for coffee made
of an aluminum foil/plastic laminate reduces packaging by 85 percent
compared to a steel coffee can.
Another illustration of source reduction by materials substitution is
shown in Table 25. This shows that over a 15-year period, weight of
snack foods increased by over 42 percent, while weight of snack food
packaging decreased by nearly 9 percent and pounds of packaging per
10.0 pounds of product decreased by over 36 percent. This decrease can
be attributed primarily to a switch from rigid packaging (e.g., boxes) to
flexible packaging (e.g., bags).
; Table25 ; , . V '."'.'
COMPARISON OF SNACK FOOD PACKAGING, 1972 AND 1987
Million pounds of product
Million pounds of packaging
Pounds packaging per 100 pounds of product
Thousand cubic yards of packaging
1972 .
11,028
1,243
11.3
1,536
1987
15,731
1,134
7.2":
1,391
Percent
Change
+42.6%
-8.8%'
-36.0%
-9.4%
Does not include tertiaiy packaging (e.g., corrugated containers)
Source: Franklin Associates, Ltd.
A product or package can be redesigned to reduce weight or volume.
For example, a box used to package a tube or bottle can often be
eliminated.
Toxic materials in products or packaging can be replaced with non-toxic
substitutes. Considerable efforts have been made in this area in the past
few years. For example, vegetable-based inks are being substituted for
petroleum-based inks.
Modifying Practices to Reduce Materials Use
Businesses and individuals can'often modify their current practices to
reduce the amounts of waste generated. In a business office, electronic mail can
replace printed memoranda and data. Reports can be copied on both sides of the
paper (duplexed). , ,
86
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Individuals (and businesses) can request removal from mailing lists to
reduce the amount of mail received and discarded. When practical, products can
be purchased in large sizes or in bulk to minimize the amount of packaging per
unit of product. Concentrated products can also reduce packaging requirements;
some of these products, such as fabric softeners and powdered detergent, are
designed to be used with refillable containers. :
Reuse of Products and Packages
Reuse of products and packages delays the time when the items must
finally be discarded as waste. When a product is reused, presumably purchase
and use of a new product is delayed, although this may not always be true.
Many of the products characterized for this report are reused in sizable
quantities. The recovery of products and materials for recycling and composting
as characterized in Chapter 2 does not include reuse of products, but reuse is
discussed in this section. ' ..
Durable Goods. There is a long tradition of reuse of durable goods such as
large and small appliances, furniture, and carpets. Often this is done informally
as individuals pass on used goods to family members and friends. Other durable
goods are donated to charitable organizations for resale or donation to needy .
families. Some communities and other organizations have facilitated exchange
programs for citizens, and there are for-profit retail stores that deal in used
furniture, appliances, and carpets. Other goods are resold by individuals at garage
sales, flea markets, and the like. Borrowing and sharing items like tools can also
reduce the number of products to be discarded ultimately. Except for tires, there is
generally a lack of data on the volume of .durable goods reused in the United
States, and what the ultimate effect on MSW generation might be.
Nondurable Goods. While nondurable goods by their very nature are
designed for short term use and disposal, there is considerable reuse of some
items classified as nondurable. In particular, footwear, clothing, and other textile
goods are often reused. Much of the reuse is accomplished through the same
types of channels as those described above for durable goods. That is, private
individuals, charitable organizations, and retail outlets (consignment shops) all
facilitate reuse of discarded clothing and footwear. In addition, considerable
amounts of textiles are reused as wiping cloths before being discarded. ;
Another often-cited source reduction measure is use of washable plates,
cups, napkins, towels, diapers, etc. instead of the disposable variety. (This will
reduce solid waste but will have other effects, such as increased water and'energy
use.) Other reusable items are available, for example: reusable air filters, reusable
coffee filters, reconditioned printer cartridges, etc.
87
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Containers and Packaging. Containers and packaging can be reused in two
ways: they can be used again for their original purpose/or they can'be used in
other ways. -' ; " ,;
' ' ' ' ' . ' *
; Glass bottles are a prime example of reuse of a container for its original
purpose. Refillable glass beer and soft drink bottles can be collected, washed, and
refilled for use again. Some years ago large numbers of refillable glass soft drink
bottles were used, but these have largely been replaced by single-use glass bottles,
plastic bottles and aluminum cans. Considerable numbers of beer bottles are
collected for refilling, often by restaurants and taverns where the bottles can
conveniently be collected and returned by the distributor. The Glass Packaging
Institute estimates that refillable glass bottles achieve a rate of 8 trips (refillings)
per bottle.
;'. Another example in this category is the use of refurbished wood pallets for
shipping palletized goods. The Wood Pallet and Container Association estimates
that over 50 percent of wood pallets produced are reusable; the pallets are reused
about four times per year, on average.
Many other containers and packages can be recycled but are not often
reused. Some refillable containers (e,g., plastic laundry softener bottles)-have
been introduced; the original container can be refilled using concentrate in small
packages. This practice can achieve a 75 percent source reduction in packaging. As
another example, srnne grocery stores will allow customers to reuse grocery
sacks, perhaps allowing a refund'for each sack brought back for reuse. Also, many
parcel shippers will take back plastic packaging "peanuts" for reuse.'
''.- .'."-' ' - - , --/.-- ^ '
Many ingenious reuses for containers and packaging are possible in the
home. People reuse newspapers, boxes, bags, jars, jugs, and cans for many
purposes around the house. There are no reliable estimates as to how these
activities'affect the waste stream. , - .
Lengthening Product Life. Lengthening product life delays the time when
the products enter the municipal waste stream. The responsibility for
lengthening product life lies partly with manufacturers and partly with .
consumers. Products can be designed to last longer and be easier to repair. Since
some of these design modifications may make products more expensive, at least
initially, consumers must demand the products and be willing to pay for them to
make the goal work. Consumers must also be willing to care for and repair
products. -
Management of Organic Wastes. Food wastes arid yard trimmings
combined made up 21.3 percent of MSW generation in 1994, so source reduction
measures aimed at these products can have an important effect,on waste
generation. Composting is the usual method for source reducing these organic
wastes. As defined in this report, composting of organic wastes after they are
88
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taken to a central composting facility is a waste management activity comparable
to recovery for recycling. Estimates for these composting activities are included
in this Chapter 3. ,
Composting or other reduction management measures that take place at
the point of generation (e.g., the yard of a home or business) is source reduction.
Backyard composting of yard trimmings and some food wastes is not a new
practice, but in recent years publicity and education programs have encouraged
more people to participate. There also is a trend toward leaving grass clippings
on lawns, sometimes through the use of mulching mowers.
Part of the impetus for source reduction of yard trimmings is the large
number of state regulations discouraging landfilling or other disposal of yard
trimmings. The Composting Council and other sources report that in 1992, 12
states (amounting to over 28 percent of the nation's population) had in effect
legislation banning yard trimmings from landfills. By 1996, 23 states (amounting
to over 50 percent of the nation's population) will have in effect legislation
affecting disposal of yard trimmings. While data on amounts of yard trimmings
received at disposal facilities is limited, there is considerable anecdotal evidence
indicating that when these bans go into effect, people find ways to source reduce.
This is discussed in more depth in Chapter 4.
SUMMARY OF HISTORICAL AND CURRENT MSW MANAGEMENT
Municipal solid waste generation has grown steadily (except for occasional
decreases during recession years) from 87.8 million tons in 1960 to 209.1 million
tons in 1994. The data presented in this chapter and Chapter 2 provide a
perspective on the historical management of municipal solid waste/The study
results are summarized in Table 26 and Figure 17.
Recovery for Recycling and Composting of Yard Trimmings
Recovery for recycling and composting had little effect on the total waste
stream until the 1980s. Recovery was less than 10 percent of generation in the
1960s and 1970s. A strong emphasis on recovery for recycling, including
composting, developed in the latter part of the 1980s, and total recovery reached
an estimated 49.3 million tons, or 23.6 percent of generation, in 1994.
Mixed MSW Composting
Composting of yard trimmings is well established in many communities
and was found to be increasing rapidly due to state-wide bans of yard trimmings
in landfills and other local initiatives. Composting of mixed municipal wastes
(e.g., by in-vessel units) is a developing technology in the United States. It was
estimated that less than 400 thousand tons of mixed MSW were recovered for
composting in 1994, ,
89
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Combustion of Municipal St) lid Waste
Most of the municipal solid waste combustion currently practiced in this
country incorporates recovery of an energy product (generally steam or
electricity). The resulting energy reduces the amount needed from other sources,
and the sale of the energy helps to offset the cost of operating the facility. In past
years, it was common to burn municipal solid waste in incinerators as a volume
reduction practice; energy recovery became more prevalent in the 1970s.
Previous estimates of combustion with energy recovery were updated and
expressed as a percentage of MSW generation (Table 26). Surveys by trade
organizations such as the Integrated Waste Services Association (IWSA) were
used as references for identifying operating combustion facilities.
.In most cases the facilities have a stated daily capacity, but they normally
operate at less than capacity over the course of a year. It was assumed for this
report that throughput over a year of operation is 85 percent of rated capacity.
While this is a conservative assumption, it has proven to be reasonably accurate
over the years. (While new facilities are reporting operation at very high
utilization rates, other facilities do not meet the same standards for annual
throughput as compared to rated capacity.)
'"""','.' ' ' , ' i. ' . "
The surveys revealed that combustion of MSW increased rapidly between
1980 and 1990, with numerous new facilities coming into operation. The amount
of MSW^combusted has remained relatively constant since 1990. It was estimated
that approximately 29.7 million tons of MSW were combusted with energy
recovery in 1994. These estimates include facilities that mass burn mixed MSW
without much pre-processing as well as thbse using fuel prepared from mixed
MSW (usually, called refuse-derived fuel). To provide a complete picture of
historical MSW management, updates of the estimates of combustion without
energy recovery were also made. The estimates indicate that MSW combustion
without energy recovery dropped steadily throughout the entire study period, ,to
about, 1,3 million tons in 1994. ..""
In addition to facilities combusting mixed MSW (processed or
/ unprocessed), there is a small but growing amount of combustion of source
separated MSW: In particular, there is considerable interest in .using rubber tires
as fuel in dedicated facilities or as fuel in cement kilns. In addition, there is
combustion of wood wastes and some paper and plastic wastes, usuallyjn boilers
that already burjxsome other type of solid fuel. For this report, it was estimated
that about 1.5 million tons oif MSW were'combusted in this manner in 1994,
with tires contributing a majority of the total.
The total of all MSW combustion was an estimated 32.5 million tons, or
153 percent of MSW generation, in 1994.
90
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Table26
GENERATION, MATERIALS RECOVERY, COMPOSTING, COMBUSTION,
AND DISCARDS OF MUNICIPAL SOLID WASTE, 1960 TO 1994
(In thousands of ions and percent of total generation)
Thousands of Tons
Generation
Recovery for recycling
Recovery for composting*
Total Materials Recovery
Discards after recovery
Combustion**
Discards to landfill,
other disposalt
Generation
Recovery for recycling
Recovery for composting*
Total Materials Recovery
Discards after recovery
Combustion**
Discards to landfill,
other disposalt
1960
87,820
5,560
" Neg.
5,560
82,260
27,000
55,260
1960
100.0%
6.3%
6.3%
93.7%
30.7%
62.9%
1970
122,600
7,970
Neg.
7,970
114,630
25,100
89,530
1970
100.0%
6.5%
NeS
6.5%
93.5%
.20.5%
73.0%
1980
152,350
14,390
Neg.
14,390
137,960
13,700
124,260
1990
.197,100
28,690
* 4,200
32,890
164,210
31,900
132,310
1991
196,770
'32,220
5,000
37,220
159,550
33,330
126,220
1992
202,950
35,450
6',bOO
41,450
161,500
32,690
128,810
1993
206,450
37,350
6,500
43,850
162,600
32,920
129,680
1994
209,080
41,840
7,480
49,320
159,760
32,490
127,270
Percent of Total Generation
1980
' 100.0%
9.4%
Neg.
9.4%
90.6%
9.0%
81.6%
1990,
100.0%
-14:6%
2.1%
16.7%
83.3%
16.2%
67.1%
1991
100.0%
16.4%
2:5%
18.9%
81.1%
16.9%
64.1%
1992
100.0%
: 17.5%
3.0%
, 20.4%
79.6%
16.1%
,63.5%
1993
100.0%
18.1%
3.1%
21.2%
78.8%
15.9%
62.8%
1994
100.0%
20.0%
3.6%
23.6%
76.4%,
15.5% ,
' 60.9%
* Composting of yard trimmings and food wastes. Does not include mixed MSW composting or backyard composting.
MSW composting estimated to be less than 400 thousand tons per year. ,
* * Includes combustion of MSW in mass bum or refuse-derived fuel from, incineration without energy recovery, and
combustion with energy recovery of source separated materials in MSW.
t Discards after recovery minus combustion.
Details may not add to totals due to rounding.
Source: Franklin Associates, Ltd. , :
Residues from Waste Management Facilities
Whenever municipal wastes are processed, residues will remain. For the
purposes of this report, it is assumed that these residues are landfilled (although
residues from combustion processes (ash) are often managed separately from
other MSW). :
Materials processing facilities (MRFs) and compost facilities generate some
residues when processing various recovered materials. These residues include
materials that are unacceptable to end users (e.g., broken glass, wet newspapers),
other contaminants (e.g., products made of plastic resins that are not wanted by
the end user), or dirt. While residue generation varies widely, 7 to 8 percent is
probably typical for a MRF. Residues from a MRF or compost facility are
generally landfilled. ,
91
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When municipal solid waste is combusted, a residue (usually called ash) is
left behind. Years ago this ash was.commonly disposed of along .with municipal
solid waste, but combustor ash is not counted as MSW in this report because it
generally must be managed separately. As a general "rule of thumb," MSW ...".
combustpr ash amounts to about 25 percent (dry weight) of unprocessed MSW , .
input. This percentage will vary from facility to facility depending upon the types
of waste input and the efficiency and configuration of the facility. '
Summary
This summary provides some historical perspective on municipal solid
waste management practices in the U.S. In the 1960s and early 1970s a large
percentage of MSW was burned. The remainder was not usually landfilled. as we
define landfill in the 1990s; that is, it was not compacted and buried in cells with
cover material added daily. In! fact, much of this waste was "dumped" and often'
it was burned at the dump to:reduce its volume..'--. , : .
As the old incinerators were closed down and landfills became more
difficult and expensive to site, .waste generation continued to increase/Materials ,
recovery rates increased very slowly in this time period/and the burden on the
nation's landfills grew dramatically. As Figure 17 graphically shows, discards of
MSW to landfill or other disposal apparently peaked in the 1986-1987 period,
then began to decline as materials recovery and combustion increased.
Generation of MSW declined in 1991 (a recession year), but then continued to
increase afterwards. Recovery of products and yard trimmings increased steadily,
while combustion stayed nearly constant. As a result, discards to landfills were
lower in 1994 than in 1993, accounting for 127.3 million tons or 60.9 percent of
total generation. ,', .
Figure 17. Municipal Solid Waste Management, 1960 to 1994
Recovery for Recycling
0
1960
1965
1970
1975
1980
1985
1990 1994
92
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Chapters
REFERENCES
GENERAL ,
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Characterization of Municipal Solid
Waste in the United States: 1994 Update. EPA/530-R-94-042. November 1994.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Characterization of Municipal Solid
Waste in the United States: 1992 Update. EPA/530-R-92-019. July 1992.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Characterization of Municipal Solid
Waste in the United States: 1990 Update. EPA/530-SW-90-042. June,,1991. ,
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Municipal Solid Waste Task Force,
Office of Solid Waste. The Solid Waste Dilemma: An Agenda for Action. ,.
February 1989.
SOURCE REDUCTION
Brown, Kenneth. Source Reduction Now. Minnesota Office of Waste
Management. February 1993.
Compost Council. "Yard Waste Legislation: Disposal Bans and Similar Passed
Bills as of July, 1993." Fact Sheet. July 1993. , -
Congress of the United States, Office of Technology Assessment. Green Products
by Design: Choices for a Cleaner Environment. OTA-E-541. October 1992.
Fishbein, Bette K., and Caroline Gelb. Making Less Garbage: A Planning Guide
for Communities. INFORM, 1992. /'
Franklin Associates, Ltd. The Role of Recycling in Integrated Solid Waste
Management to the Year 2000. Keep America Beautiful, Inc. 1994.
t a
Rattray, Tom. "Source ReductionAn Endangered Species?" Resource
Recycling. November 1990. ,
Raymond Communications. State Recycling Laws Update. 1994.
Selke, Susan E. "Evaluating a Source Reduction Opportunity." Solid Waste &
Power. June 1991.
Steuteville, Robert. "The State of Garbage in America. Part II." Biocycle. May
1995.
93
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U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The Consumer's Handbook for
Reducing Solid Waste. EPA/530-K-92-003. August 1992. <
. - -"/_"" ' ' - . .
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Waste Prevention Pays Off: Companies
Cut Waste in the Workplace. EPA/530-K-92-005. November 1993. /
COMBUSTION
Integrated Waste Services Association. "High Court Rules Ash Not Exempt from
Subtitle C Regulation." Update. Summer 1994.
Kiser, Jonathan V.L., and John Menapace. "The 1995 IWSA Municipal Waste
Combustion Directory Of United States Facilities." Integrated Waste Services
Association. March 1995.
Kiser, Jonathan V.L. "The IWSA Municipal Waste Combustion Directory: 1993."
Integrated Waste Services Association. February 1994. ,
Kiser, Jonathan V.L. "Municipal Waste Combustion in North America: 1992
Update." Waste Age. November 1992.
/ ' ' ' ' . \ ' ' -: '
Kiser, Jonathan V.L. "The 1992 Municipal Waste Combustion Guide." National
Solid Wastes Management Association.'February 1992. .- ,
Kiser, Jonathan V.L. "A Comprehensive Report on the Status of Municipal
Waste Combustion." Waste Age. November 1990. -
Levy, Steven J. Municipal Waste Combustion Inventory. U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency, Office of Solid Waste, Municipal & Industrial Solid Waste
Division. November 22, 1991. .
National Solid Wastes Management Association. "The 1992 Municipal Waste
Combustion Guide." Waste Age. November 1992. <
"1991-1992 Energy-from-Waste Report." Solid Waste & Power. HCI Publications.
October 1991, December 1990.
"The 1991 Municipal Waste Combustion Guide." Waste Age. November 1991.
94
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Chapter 4 .
PROJECTIONS OF MSW GENERATION AND MANAGEMENT
AND ADDITIONAL PERSPECTIVES
INTRODUCTION
" ' i
This chapter includes projections of municipal solid waste generation and
management for the years 2000 and 2010. It should be emphasized that these,
projections are not predictions. Recent efforts at source reduction are difficult to
measure at a national level, but almost certainly are affecting MSW generation.
No one can foresee with accuracy changes in the economy (e.g., booms and
recessions), which also affect the municipal waste stream. In addition, it is
difficult to predict which innovations and new products will affect, the amounts
and types of MSW discards. For example, there have long been predictions of the
"paperless office" due to improvements in electronic communications, but in
fact, facsimile machines, high-speed copiers, and personal computers have .
caused increasing amounts of paper to be generated in offices.
In spite of the limitations, it is useful to look at projections characterizing
MSW based on past trends, since it is clear that the composition of the waste
stream does change over time. New products (e.g., disposable products) are used,
and materials are used in new ways (e.g., composite materials replace simpler
products). Planners thus may choose to use different projections than those
presented here, but anyone assuming that the current mix of materials in the
waste stream will remain constant is disregarding the experience of the past.
OVERVIEW OF THIS CHAPTER
This chapter includes projections of municipal solid waste generation,
recovery for recycling and composting, combustion, and landfill through the year
2010. Projections of total MSW recovery for recycling and composting are
presented in three scenarios for the years 2000 and 201025 percent, 30 percent,
and 35 percent. In making these projections, it was assumed that overall,
products in MSW would continue to grow,at a rate higher than population
growth and lower than growth of Gross Domestic Product (GDP). (See Chapter 5
of EPA report 530-R-94-042, Characterization of Municipal Solid Waste in the
United States; 1994 Update, for an explanation of the correlation of MSW
generation with these demographic and economic factors.) ;
95
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it is important to note that the projections in this series of tables are also
.based on the assumption that there will continue to be a reduction in the
generation of yard trimmings that enter the solid waste management system.
These assumptions are explained later in this chapter. One result of this
assumption is that the percentages,of other products and materials in MSW are
higher in future years than they would be if yard trimmings generation stayed
constant or increased. ,
A summary table shovnng projected MSW generation, recovery at the
mid-range scenario, and discards of MSW to combustion and landfill in 2000 and,
2010 is included at the end of the chapter. , :
MATERIALS GENERATION IN MUNICIPAL SOLID WASTE
Projections of materials generated in MSW (by weight) are summarized in
Figure 18 and, and a discussion of each material category follows.
Paper and Paperboard,
Projections of paper and paperboard generation were based on past trends,
With some slowing of growth projected for newsprint and paper packaging other
than corrugated boxes. These grades of paper are showing the effects of decreased
newspaper readership and some source reduction in packaging.
Paper and paperboard is projected to continue to be the dominant material
in MSW/ growing from a generation of 81.3 million tons in 1994 to 91.3 million
tons and 108.9 million tons in 2000 and 2010, respectively. This would be 41.0 :
percent of MSW generation .in 2000. ".'"
Figure 18. Materials generated in MSW: 1994, 2000, and 2010
(In percent of total MSW generation'};
1994
132000
Q2010
0% -
10% ,15% 20% 25% ,30% .35%
Percent of Total MSW Generation *
* Total MSW generation (in thousand tons) for 1904 = 209,080; 2000 = 222,870; 2010 = 262,030.
40%
45%
50%
96
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Table 27
PROJECTIONS OF MATERIALS GENERATED*
IN THE MUNICIPAL WASTE STREAM: 1994,2000, AND 2010
(In thousands of tons and percent of total generation)
Thousands of tons
% of total
Materials
Paper and Paperboard
Glass
Metals
Ferrous
Aluminum
Other Nonferrous
Total Metals
Plastics
Rubber and Leather
Textiles
Wood
Other
Total Materials in Products
Other Wastes
Food Wastes
Yard Trimmings**
Miscellaneous Inorganic Wastes
Total Other Wastes
Total MSW Generated
1994
81,300
13,270
11,520
3,060
1,210
25,730
19,840
6,370
6,560
14,590
3,590
161,310
14,070
30,600
3,100
47,770
209,080
2000
91,260
14,190
12,830 ,
3,510
1,350
17,690
,23,290
7,280
7,490
16,490
4,000
181,690
14,900
23,000
3,280
41,180
222,870
2010
108,860
15,650
15,010
4,300
1,660
20,970
28,940
' 8,780
9,220
19,930
4,790
217,140
16,300
25,000.
3,590
44,890
262,030
1994
38.9%
' 6.3%
5.5%
1.5%
0.6%
7.6%
9.5%.
3.0%
3.1%
7.0%
1.7%
77.2%
6.7%'
.. 14i6%
1.5%
22.8%
100.0%
2000
40.9%
6.4%
5.8%.
1.6%
0.6%
7.9%
l6.5%
3;.3%
3.4%
7.4%
1.8%
81.5%
6.7%
10.3%
1.5% .
18.5%
100,0%
2010
41.5% '
. 6.0%
5.7%
1.6%
0;'6% "
8.0%
11.0%
3.4%"'
3.5%
7.6% .
1.8%
82.9% ,
6.2%
9.5%
1.4%'
17.1% "
100.0%
* Generation before materials recovery or combustion.
** Yard trimmings based on source reduction scenario #2 described in Table 33.
Details may not add to totals due to rounding.
Source: Franklin Associates, Ltd.
Glass
Glass products were a declining percentage of municipal solid waste
during the 1970s and 1980s, with the 1990s showing a leveling off at
approximately 6.5 percent of MSW generation. This recent trend is projected to
continue, with the percentage of glass in MSW remaining fairly constant. Glass
generation is projected to grow from 13.3 million tons in 1994 to 14.2 million
tons and 15.7 million tons in 2000 and 2010, respectively. For 2000 this represents
6.4 percent of projected total MSW generation.
97
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Ferrous Metals
Cans made of steel declined as a percentage of MSW in the 1970s and 1980s
due to material substitution and light-weighting practices of can manufacturers.
Since 1990, steel cans have been a relatively constant percent of MSW generation.
On'the other hand, more ferrous metals'enter MSW as a component of durable
.goods than as containers. Since durable goods are an increasing component of
MSW, ferrous metals in MSW were projected to increase from 11.5 million tons
in 1994 to 12,8 million tons and 15.0 million tons in 2000 and 2010, respectively.
The percentage of ferrous metals in MSW is projected to increase slightly, from
5.5'percent of total generation in 2000 to 5.7 percent in 2010.
Aluminum
-.-._., i , . - ,,.,,. , , . . . " | _ _
Containers and .packaging represent the primary source of aluminum in
MSW, although some aluminum is present in durables and nondiirables. '.
Aluminum in MSW has grown, and the growth is projected to continue, to 3.5
million tons and 4.3 million tons in 2000 and 2010, respectively. Because of its
light weight, aluminum represents a small percentage of MSW generation1.5
percent in 1994 and a projected 1.6 percent in 2000 and 2010.
Other Nonferrous Metals
Other nonferrous metals (e.g., lead, copper, and zinc) are found in durable
goods like appliances, furniture/and batteries. Lead-acid (automotive) batteries
comprise the majority of this category. Generation of lead-acid batteries is
projected to continue to increase, along with small increases in other nonferrous
metals. Other nonferrous metals were estimated to be 1.2 million tons in 1994
and are projected to be 1.4 million tons and 1.7 million tons in 2000 and 2010,
respectively. These metals are expected to continue to be less than one percent of
total MSW generation. ,
Plastics _
Generation of plastics in MSW has grown very rapidly in the past three
decades. Plastics in MSW are projected to continue to increase both in tonnage
(from 19.8 million tons in 1994 to 23.3 million tons and 28.9 million .tons in 2000
and 2010, respectively) and in percentage of total MSW generation (from 9.5
percent of total in 1994 to 11.0 percent in 2010).
Wood Wastes
Wood wastes (in furniture and other durables and in pallets and other
packaging) have been increasing in MSW. The tonnage of wood wastes generated
is projected to grow from 14.6 million tons in 1994 to 16.5 million tons and 19,9
million tons in 2000 and 2010, respectively. The percentage of wood wastes is'
98
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projected to increase from 7.0 percent in 1994 to 7.6 percent of total MSW
generation in 2010. . ". ..''.',..'.'.,'.,'.
Other Materials
Other materials in MSWincluding rubber, leather, and textilesare
projected to have modest growth in tonnage and nearly "flat" percentages of total
MSW generation. Tonnage is projected to increase from 19.6 million tons in .1994
to 22.1 million tons and 26.4 million tons in 2000 and 2010, respectively.
Food Wastes ,, .
Sampling studies over a long period of time show food wastes to be a
declining percentage of the waste stream. Per capita discards of food wastes have ,
also been declining over time, which can be explained by the increased use of
preprocessed food in homes, institutions, and restaurants, improved packaging,
and by the increased use of garbage disposals, which put food wastes into
wastewater systems rather than MSW. Therefore, the generation of food wastes
was projected to grow at a slightly lower rate than population. The tonnage of
food wastes is projected to increase from 14.1 million tons in 1994 to 14.9 million
tons and 16.3 million tons in 2000 and 2010, respectively. The percentage of food
wastes in total MSW would decline slightly,.from 6.7 percent to 6.2 percent of
total MSW generation.
Yard Trimmings
In earlier versions of this report, generation of yard trimmings* was
estimated based on sampling studies, which showed a more or less constant
generation on a per capita basis. (The definition of generation used here is the
amount of yard trimmings that enter the solid waste management system, e.g.,
they are placed at the curb for collection or taken* to a drop-off site.) Projections
were made on the same basis. % This methodology has now been revised because
of changing trends in the management of yard trimmings in many parts of the
country. ,
Although not well documented, there is evidence that where
communities have charged separately for pickup of yard trimmings, or where
disposal of yard trimmings in landfills has been banned, or other ,
regulatory/educational measures have been taken, the amount of yard
trimmings entering the system has greatly declined. In other words, source
Although there are limited data available on the composition of yard trimmings, it is.
estimated that the average composition by weight is about 50 percent grass/25 percent
brush, and 25 percent leaves. These are "ballpark" numbers that will vary widely
according to climate and region of the country.
99
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reduction-at the site of generation (e.g., residences) has been accomplished
through backyard composting, leaving grass clippings ori. the lawn, arid the like.
Using data published by the Composting Council as updated from more"'
recent sources, legislation affecting yard trimmings disposal in landfills was
tabulated. In 1992,12 states accounting for over 28 percent of the nation's
population had in effect legislation banning yard trimmings from landfills. Also,
data compiled by BioCycle magazine indicates that there were about 3,000
composting facilities for yard trimmings in 1992. Using these facts, it was
estimated that the effect of this legislation was that there was no increase in yard
trimmings generated (e.g., entering the waste management system) between 1990
and 1992, and that there was a 6 percent annual decline in yard trimmings
generation between 1992 and 1994. ?
The tabulation of existing legislation also shows that by 1996, 23 states
including more than 50 percent of the nation's population will have legislation
banning yard trimmings from landfills. Additional states have enacted less :
stringent measures. Therefore, it was projected that yard trimmings generation
would be reduced by half between 1992 and 1996 in the states having
legislationa 25 percent reduction overall. This is a rather conservative :
assumption, because yard trimmings may well be reduced by more than half in
these states. Finally, it was assumed that some additional legislation affecting ' v,
generation of yard trimmings would be enacted between 1996 and 2000, and that'
yard trimmings would decline by 15 percent between 1996 and 2000. No
'additional legislation affecting yard trimmings was projected past 2000. For 2000'
and 2010 projections, yard trimmings generation was adjusted to account for
population growth rates (approximately one percent annually) projected by the
U.S. Bureau of the Census. ,
Writing in May 1995, ah editor of BioCycle magazine noted that there is a
trend towards reduced regulations in the states, although existing programs are
being continued. He noted that no states had passed comprehensive recycling
laws or adopted diversion goals since the start of 1994, and some states.were
pushing back deadlines for goals already set but unachieved. Only one new state '
disposal ban on yard trimmings was passed in 1994, although severaLbans went
into effect in 1994 and 1995, with few more already scheduled for 1996. The editor
noted that strong markets, rather than state mandates /appear to be the driving
force behind increased recycling in 1995.
These assumptions yield a projection that generation of yard trimmings
would decline from 30.6 million tons in 1994 to 23.0 million tons in 2000 (a 25
percent decrease compared to. 1994)'. With no additional legislation affecting yard
trimmings projected after 2000, and an increasing U.S. population, generation of
yard trimmings is projected to increase to 25.0 million, tons by 2010. In 1994 yard
trimmings accounted for 14.6 percent of total MSW generation. Based on
100
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projected generation, this will decline to 10.3 percent and 9.5 percent of total
MSW generation in 2000 and 2010, respectively.
Projected Growth Rates for Materials in MSW
Projected growth rates by decade for the various materials generated in
MSW are shown in Table 28. Projected population growth rates (from the
Bureau of the Census) are included as well; the Bureau of the Census forecasts an:
approximately one percent annual growth of population from 1990 to 2000 with a'
decline in the growth rate (0.8 percent annual growth rate) from 2000 to 2010.
Paper and paperboard, plastics, metals, and wood are all projected to increase
faster than population, while glass and food wastes are projected to increase at
about the same irate as population. Yard trimmings are projected to decline
through 2000 due to source reduction efforts and landfill bans and then increase
after 2000 due to population increases. Over, all, municipal solid waste generation
is projected to increase at a rate of 1.2 percent annually between 1990 and 2000. .
This rate would be higher if the projected decline in yard trimmings does not
occur. For the period 2000 through 2010, the annual growth rate for municipal
solid waste is projected to be 1.6 percent annually.
Table 28
AVERAGE ANNUAL RATES OF INCREASE (OR DECREASE)*
OF GENERATION OF MATERIALS IN MSW
(In annual percent by weight)
1960-1970
Paper & Paperboard
Glass
Metals
Plastics
Wood
All Other Materials**
Food Wastes
Yard Trimmings
Total MSW
Population*
4.0%
6.7%
3.3%
23.8%
3.4%
4.3%
0.5%
1.5%
3.4%
1.3%
1970-1980
2.2% .
1.6% ,
0.2%
9.7%
5.8%
4.2%
0.2%
1.7%'
. 2.2%
1.1%
1980-1990
2.8%
-1.3%
1.1%
8.1%
5.2%
4.0%
0.2%
2:4Vo
2.6%
0.9%
1990-2000
2.3%
0.8%
0.8%
3.3%
3.0%
: 2.3%
1.2%
-4.1%
1.2% '
1.0%.
2000-2010
1.8% -
1.0% ,
1.7%
2.2%
1.9%
1.8%
0.9%
0.8%
. 1.6%
0.8%
* Annual rates of increase or decrease calculated on 10-year end points,
** Rubber and leather, textiles, electrolytes in batteries, wood pulp and moisture
in disposable diapers, miscellaneous inorganics.
A Based on population estimates from U.S. Dept. of Commerce, Bureau of the Census.
Source: Franklin Associates, Ltd.
101
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PRODUCT GENERATION IN MUNICIPAL SOLID WASTE
Projected generation of products in MSW (by weight) is summarized in .
Figure.^and Table 29. All categories (except for yard trimmings) are projected to
grow in tonnage. Containers and packaging are projected to remain the largest
single category at over 37 percent of total generation, with nondurables being the
second largest category of generation at 29 percent of total MSW generation.
More detailed observations on the projected grdwth in the individual product '
categories follow. ,
Durable Goods
i ,. >
'-.! '' . < ' - ' ', '/ >:
Overall, durable goods are projected to increase in both tonnage artd
percent of total MSW generation (Table 30). The trends in generation of major,
appliances,, carpet and rugs, and furniture and furnishings are well established by
production numbers, since lifetimes of up to 20 years are assumed. Generation of
rubber tires and lead-acid batteries is projected based on historical trends, which
are generally exhibiting average rates of growth. Durable goods are projected to
increase to 34.4 million tons cind 41.7 million tons in 2000 and 2010, respectively.
This .represents a growth rate of about two percent annually for durable goods.
- "" / , . ,.
Nondurable Goods
Similar to durable goods, nondurable goods are projected to increase in
both tonnage and percent of total MSW generation (Table 31). Generation of
nondurable goods is projected to be 63.9 million tons and 76.2 million tons in
Figure 19. Products generated in MSW: 1994, 2000, and 2010
(In percent of total MSW generation*)
Yard Trimming? *
Food, Other
Durables
Nondurables
Containers & Packaging
15% - 20'% 25% 30% ' 35%
Percent of Total MSW Generation *
* Total MSW generation (in thousand tons) for 1994 = 209,080; 2000 = 222,870; 2010 = 262,030.' ,'
1994
02000
El 2010
5%
10%
40% 45%
50%
102
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Table 29
PROJECTIONS OF CATEGORIES OF PRODUCTS GENERATED*
IN THE MUNICIPAL WASTE STREAM: 1994,2000, AND 2010
(In thousands of tons and percent of total generation)
Thousands of tons
% of total
Products
Durable Goods
(Detail in Table 30)
Nondurable Goods
(Detail in Table 31)
Containers and Packaging
(Detail in Table 32)
Total Product Wastes**
Other Wastes
Food Wastes
Yard TrimmingsA
Miscellaneous Inorganic Wastes
Total Other Wastes
Total MSW Generated
1994
29,930
56,410
74,970
161,310
14,070
30,600
3,100
47,770
209,080
2000
' 34,370
63,910
83,410
. 181,690
14,900
23,000
3,280
41,180
222,870
2010
41,650
. 76,190
99,300
217,140
16,300
25,000
3,590
44,890
262,030
1994
14.3%
27.0%
35.9%
77.2%
6.7%
14,6%
1.5%
22.8%
100.0%
2000
15.4%
28.7%.
37,4%
81.5%
6.7%
10.3%
, 1.5%
18.5%
100.0%
2010
15.9%
29.1%'
37.9°/9
82.9%
6.2%
9.5% !
1.4%
17,1%
100.0%
* Generation before materials recovery or, combustion.
** Other than food products.
A Yard trimmings based on source reduction scenario #2 described in Table 33.
Details may not add to totals due to rounding.
Source: Franklin Associates, Ltd.
2000 and 2010, respectively. Generation of nondurable goods is projected to grow
approximately two percent annually, accounting for about 29 percent of total
MSW generation in 2010. , .
Most of the nondurable paper products are projected to continue to grow
at rates higher than population growth. Strong growth rates are projected for
paper products such as office paper, paper used in commercial printing, and
other nonpackaging paper. Newspaper generation is projected to increase to over
16 million tons in 2010, although the growth rate is expected to be lower than-
other paper products comprising nondurable goods.
Substitution of relatively light materials like aluminum and plastics for
heavier materials like steel has occurred in durables like appliances and
furniture as well as other products. Alsd, cars have become smaller and tires, . :
have been made longer-wearing, which tends to reduce the rate of increase at
which tires are generated. It was projected that these trends will continue.
Clothing and footwear and other textiles also are projected to increase in
tonnage.
103
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Table 30
PROJECtlONS OF PRODUCTS GENERATED*
IN THE MUNICIPAL WASTE STREAM: 1994,2000, AND 2010
(WITH DETAIL ON DURABLE GOODS)
(In thousands of Jons and percent of total generation)
Thousands of tons ""-'''.,
Products
Durable Goods
Major Appliances
Small Appliances
Furniture and Furnishings
Carpets and Rugs - '
Rubber Tires,
Batteries, Lead-Acid
Miscellaneous Durables
Total Durable Goods .
Nondurable Goods
(Detail in Table 31)
Containers and Packaging
(Detail in Table 32)
Total Product Wastes**
Other Wastes
Food Wastes .
' Yard TrimmingsA ,
Miscellaneous Inorganic Wastes
Total Other Wastes
Total MSW Generated
1994
3,370 ,
750
7,510
2,320
3,690
1,740
10,550
29,930
56,410
74,970
161,310
. ~
14,070
30,600
3,100
47,770
209,080
2000
3,430
860
8,450
. 2,610
4,100
1,920
13,000
34,370
63,910
83,410
181,690
14,900
23,000
3,280
41,180
222,870
2010
3,760
1,100
9,870
3,180
4,690
2,350
16,700
41,650
76,190
99,300
217,140
16,300
25,000
3,590
44,890
262,030
1994
,1.6%
0;4%
3.6%
1.1%
, 1.8%
0.8%
5.0%
14.3%
27.0%
35.9%
, 77.2%
6.7%
14.6%
x 1.5%
22.8%
100.0%
% of total
2000
. 1.5%
0.4%
3.8%
1.2%
1.8%
, 0.9%
5.8%
15.4% .
28.7%
37.4%
81.5%
6.7%
10.3%
1.5%
18.5%
100.0% ,
2010
1.4%
.0.4%
3.8%
1.2%
1.8%
"0.9%
.6,4%
15,9%
29.1%
37.9%
.-,. '
,82.9%
6.2%
9.5%
1.4%
17.1%
100.0%
Generation before materials recovery or combustion.
** Other than food products. ,
A Yard trimmings based on source reduction scenario #2 described in Table 33.
' Details may not add to totals due to rounding. " >. ' .
Source: Franklin Associates, Ltd. . .
Finally, other miscellaneous nondurables, which include many items, made of
plastics,; have been growing historically and the growth is projected
to continue, causing this category to continue to increase as a percentage of MSW
generation. ,
Containers and Packaging
' ' - * ' ' } .: : ' \ ' * : - . /'''-..
Containers and packaging is the largest single category of MSW, and this is
projected to continue through 2010 (Table 32). Generation was 75.0 million tons
in 1994, with an increase to 83.4 million tons and 99.3 million tons in 2000 and
2010, respectively. In percentage of total MSW, containers and packaging were
35.9 percent in 1994, with a projected increase to 37.9 percent in 2010. The average
104
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Table 31
PROJECTIONS OF PRODUCTS GENERATED*
IN THE MUNICIPAL WASTE STREAM: 1994,2000, AND 2010
(WITH DETAIL ON NONDURABLE GOODS)
(In thousands of tons and percent of total generation)
Thousands of tons
Products
Durable Goods
(Detail in Table 30)
Nondurable Goods
Newspapers
Books
Magazines
Office Papers
Telephone Directories
Third Class Mail
Other Commercial Printing
Tissue Paper and Towels
Paper Plates and Cups
Plastic Plates and Cups
Trash Bags
Disposable Diapers
Other Nonpackaging Paper
Clothing and Footwear
Towels, Sheets, & Pillowcases
Other Misc. Nondurables
Total Nondurable Goods
Containers and Packaging
(Detail in Table 32)
Total Product Wastes**
Other Wastes
Food Wastes
Yard TrimmingsA
Miscellaneous Inorganic Wastes
Total Other Wastes
Total MSW Generated
1994
29,930
13,540
1,140
2,160
6,760
470
4,400
6,740
2,860
870
440
910
2,980
4,480
4,490,
770
3,400
56,410
74,970
161,310
14,070
30,600
3,100
47,770
209,080
2000
34,370
14,600
1,290
2,500
7,850
4,960
540
7,820
3,200
950
490
1,140
3,340
5,100
5,200
.. 870
4,060
63,910
83,410
181,690 .
14,900
23,000"
3,280
41,180
222,870
2010
41,650
16,300
1,650
3,000
9,600
5,760
660
9,550
3,500
1,100
600
1,510
3,980
6,300
6,640
1,030
5,010
76,190
99,300
217,140
16,300
25,000
3,590
44,890
262,030
1994
- 14.3%
6.5%
0.5%
1.0%
3.2%
0.2%
2.1%
3.2%
1.4%
0.4%
0.2%
0.4%
1.4%
2.1%
2.1%
0.4%
1.6%
27.0%
35.9%
77.2%
6.7%
14.6%
' 1.5%
22.8%
100.0%
% of total
2000
15.4%
6.6%
0.6%
1.1%
3.5%
' 2.2%
0.2%
1 3.5%
-.1.4%
' 0.4%
0.2%
0.5%
1.5%
2.3%
2.3%
0.4%
1.8%
28.7%
37.4%
81.5%
- 6.7%
10.3%
1.5%
18.5%
100.0%
. 2010
15.9%
6.2%
0.6%
1.1%
3.7%
. 2.2%
' 0.3%
' 3.6%
1.3%
0.4%
0.2%
0.6%
1.5%
2.4%
2.5%
. 0.4%
1.9%
29.1%
37.9%
82.9%
6.2%
9.5%
1.4%
17.1%
100.0%
Generation before materials recovery or combustion.
** Other than food products.
A Yard trimmings based on source reduction scenario #2 described in Table 33.
Details may not add to totals due to rounding. ,
Source: Franklin Associates, Ltd.
growth rate for containers and packaging through 2010 is projected to be 1.8
percent annually.
Tonnage of glass containers generated is projected to increase at a low rate.
Glass containers are projected to continue to be a declining percentage of MSW
generation (5.3 percent of total generation in 2010).
105
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Table 32
PROJECTIONS OF PRODUCTS GENERATED*
IN THE MUNICIPAL WASTE STREAM: 1994,2000, AND 2010
(WITH DETAIL ON CONTAINERS AND PACKAGING)
. , (In thousands of tons and'percent of total generation) .
' Thousands of tons % of total
Products . . .. .
Durable Goods '
(Detail in Table 30)
Nondurable Goods
, (Detail in Table 31)
Containers and Packaging
Glass Packaging
Beer and Soft Drink Bottles
,. ' Wine and Liquor Bottles
Food and Other Bottles & Jars
Total Glass Packaging
Steel Packaging
Beerand Soft Drink Cans
Food and Other Cans
Other Steel Packaging
Total Steel Packaging
Aluminum Packaging
Beer and Soft Drink Cans
Other Cans
Foil and Closures
Total Aluminum Pkg
Paper & Paperboard Pkg
Corrugated Boxes
Milk Cartons
Folding Cartons . . -
Other Paperboard Packaging
Bags and Sacks
Wrapping Papers
Other Paper Packaging
Total Paper & Board Pkg
. Plastics Packaging
Soft Drink Bottles :
Milk Bottles
Other Containers
Bags and Sacks
Wraps
Other Plastics Packaging
, Total -Plastics Packaging
Wood Packaging
Other Misc. Packaging
Total Containers & Pkg
Total Product Wastes**
Other Wastes
Food Wastes
Yard TrirnrningsA
Miscellaneous Inorganic Wastes
Total Other Wastes
Total MSW Generated
1994
29,930
56,410
.
5,250 .
1,820
5,000
12,070-
10
2,920
180
3,110.
" 1,710
40"
340
2,090
/ 28,420
520
5,140
300
2,240
- 90
1,110
37,820
640
570
2,06D
1,590
2,080
1 2,550
9,490
10,210
. 180
74,970
161,310
14,070
30,600
3,100
- 47,770
209,080
2000
34,370
63,910
5,550
1,920
5,280
12,750
10
3,100
190
3,300
1,950
40
390
2,380
32,400
- 550
- 5,490
320
: . 2,370
90.
1,170
42,390
- 740
660 ,
2,360
1,830
2,390
2,920
10,900
11,500
190
.33,410
181,690
14,900
23,000
3,280
4l,loO
222,870
2010
41,650
76,190
6,030
2,0.80 .
' 5,740
. 13,850
10
3,390
210
3'600:
2,380
50
'470
2,900
40,300
600
6,120
360
2,600
100
1,290
51,370
900
810
2,900
2,230
2,930
3,580
13,350
14,020
210
99,300
217,140
16,300
25,000
3,590
262,030
1994
14:3%
27.0%
2.5%
0.9%'
2.4%
5.8%
0.0%
1.4%
0.1%
, 1-5% .
0-8%
0.0%
;o.2%
1.0%
13.6%
0.2%
2.5%
0.1%
1.1%
0.0%
0.5%
18.1%
0.3%
; 03%
1.0%
0.8%
1.0%
1.2%
. 4.5%
, 4.9%
0.1%
35.97o
77.2%
'. 6.7%
. 14.6%
1.5%
100.0%
2000
15.4%
. 28.7%
2.5%
0.9% '
2.4%
5.7%
D:O%
t.4'%
0.1%
1-5-%
' 0.9%
0.0%
.' 0.2%
1.1%
14.5%
0.2%
2.5%
0.1%
1.1%
0.0%
0.5% .
19.0%
0.3%
; 0.3%
' 1,1%
0.8%
1.1%
1.3%
4.9%
5.2%
0.1%
37.47o
- 81.5%
6.7%,
10.3%
1.5%
lb.5%
100.0%
2010
15.9% '.
29.1%
2.3%
0.8%
2.27o
; .5.3%
0.0%
'1.3%
0.1%
, 1>4%
0.9%
0.0%
- 0.2%
1.1%
15.4%
0.2%
2.3%
: 0,1%
1.0% .
0.0%
0.5%
'19.6%
0.3%
0.3%
1.1%
0.9%
' 1.1%
1.4%
5.17o
, 5:4%
0.1%
37-9%
82.9%
-
6.2%
9.5%
, 1.4%
17.17o
100,0%
* Generation before materials recovery or combustion.
** Other than fqod products. ,.
A Yard trimmings based on source reduction scenario #2 described in Table 33.
Details may not add to totals due to rounding. '
Source: Franklin Associates, Ltd.
, ' ' 106 ,
-------
Since 1990, steel cans have been a relatively constant percentage of MSW ,
generation. Generation of steel containers and packaging is projected to increase
at about the same rate as population through 2010. Steel packaging generation is
expected to increase to 3.3 million tons and 3.6 million tons in 2000 and 2010,
respectively. As a percentage of MSW generation, steel packaging is projected to
be constant at about 1.5 percent of total generation.
Tonnage of aluminum, packaging has been increasing steadily over the
historical period, and this trend is projected to continue. Aluminum packaging is
projected to increase to 2.4 million tons and 2.9 million tons in 2000 and 2010,
respectively. Tonnage of other materials also increases, however, so aluminum
stays at one percent of total generation in the projections.
Like other paper and paperboard products, overall generation of paper and
paperboard packaging has been increasing rapidly. The increase is mostly in
corrugated boxes, which are mainly used for shipping other products. Continued
increases in generation of corrugated boxes are projected; tonnage of these boxes
is projected to be 32.4 million tons in'2000, or 14.5 percent of total MSW
generation. Other paper packaging is also projected to increase in tonnage, but as
a percent of total MSW generation remain constant. All paper and paperboard
packaging is projected to be 19.6 percent of total generation in 2010.
Plastics packaging has exhibited rapid historical growth, and the trends are
projected to continue. Soft drink bottles, milk bottles, other containers/bags and
sacks, wraps, and other packaging are all projected to follow the increasing
trends. Generation of all plastics packaging is projected to be 10.9 million tons
and 13.4 million tons in 2000 and 2010, respectively. This accounts for about 5
percent of total MSW generation.
The Effects of Yard Trimmings Source Reduction' "
As discussed earlier in this chapter, the apparent trend toward lower
generation of yard trimmings (that is, a lower tonnage of yard trimmings ; ; '
entering the waste management system to go to composting facilities, landfill, or
combustion facilities) has a marked effect on projections of total generation of'
MSW. As discussed earlier, over half of the U.S. population will live1 in states
having regulations affecting disposal of yard trimmings by 1996, and some
additional legislation is projected between 1996 and 2000. No additional '
legislation is projected after 2000, although'adjustments for population increases
were made for yard trimmings generation in 2000 and 2010.
\ ' ' ' '
Since dramatic source reduction of yard trimmings is a comparatively new
phenomenon, data to support these projections are limited, although the data :
that are available tend to. support the assumptions used. Due to current lack of
hard data, three different scenarios for yard trimmings projections are shown to
107
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-Table 33
- COMPARISON OF THREE SCENARIOS FOR
SOURCE REDUCTION OF YARD TRIMMINGS: 2000 AND 2010
(In thousands of tons and percent of total generation) ,
2000
2010
.. ...'. Avg. Annual
.""' ' %of % Increase
Generation , Total in MSW
. ' (Thousand MSW Generation
Tons) Generation 1994-2000
Scenario 1 ' ' ' .
Yard trimmings constant since 1994 .'
Yard trimmings. . 30,600 13.3% , - -
; Total MSW generation 230,470 . WO.0% ,1.64%
' * /
Scenario 2 .
Yard trimmings reduced*
' Yard trimmings 23,000 10.3%
:'Total MSW generation 222,870 100.0% 1,07%
Scenario 3 , . ,
Yard Trimmings reduced further** ,
Yard trimmings 15,300 7.1% -
Total MSW generation 215,170 100.0% 0.48%
Avg. Annual
% of . % Increase
Generation Total in MSW.
(Thousand MSW Generation
.Tons) Generation 1994-2010
30,600
267,630
25',000
262,030
' 15,300
252,330
11.4%
100.0%
.9,5%
' 6.1%
100^0%
1.56%'
1.42%
1.18%
Assumes a 25 percent reduction in yard trimmings from 1994 generation for 2000 and an 18 percent reduction in
yard trimmings from 1994 generation for 2010. (See text for'assumptions.) . ' '
Assumes a 50 percent reduction in yard.trimmings from 1994 generation. .
Source: Franklin Associates, Ltd. > .....'.
present a range of possible outcomes (Table 33). The mid-range scenario
(Scenario 2) is used for projections in this report.
For Scenario 1, it was assumed that there would be no further reduction in
yard trimmings generation compared to generation in 1994 (i.e., yard trimmings
remain at 30.6 million tons for 2000 and 2010). Scenario 2 was developed using
the assumptions described earlier in this chapter. Assuming that generation of .
all other products and materials would not change from scenario to scenario,
total projected MSW generation in 2000 would be 230.5 million tons under
Scenario 1 compared to 222.9 million tons under Scenario 2. Yard trimmings
would comprise 13.3 percent: of total generation in Scenario 1, compared to 10.3,
percent in Scenario 2. For 2010, total projected MSW generation would be 26>7.3
million tons under Scenario 1 compared to 262.0 million tons under Scenario 2.
Under Scenario 2 yard trimmings are projected to be 9.5 percent of total MSW ,
generation in 2010.
s For a more optimistic scenario for yard trimmings reduction, it was
assumed that yard trimmings generation could be reduced by 50 percent between
1994 and 2000 and remain at that level through 2010 (Scenario 3). Under this
assumption, yard trimmings generation would be 15.3 million tons in both 2000
108
-------
and 2010. Yard trimmings would be 7.1 percent and 6.1 percent of total MSW
generation for 2000 and 2010, respectively.
For another perspective, Table 33 also shows the annual rates of increase
of MSW generation'for the time periods 1994-2000 and 1994-2010 under the
various scenarios. If yard trimmings do not decrease (Scenario 1), MSW
generation would increase an average of 1.64 percent annually from 1994 to 2000
and 1.56 percent annually from 1994 to 2010. Under Scenario 2 for yard
trimmings reduction, the average annual rate of increase in MSW generation
would be 1.1 percent from 1994 to 2000 and 1.4 percent from. 1994 to 2010. Finally,
under a 50 percent reduction in yard trimmings scenario, the increase in MSW
generation would be 0.5 percent annually for 1994 to 2000 and 1.2 percent for 1994
to 2010. (Each scenario assumes that generation of other materials would increase
by the amount shown in Table 27.)
It should be noted that a marked reduction in yard trimmings causes the
percentages of all other products in the'MSW stream to increase, even if their
tonnages remain constant or decrease modestly.
PROJECTIONS OF MSW RECOVERY
Prior to the 1980s, rates of recovery for recycling increased slowly and thus
projections were relatively easy to make. At this time, however, there is a.high
level of interest in municipal solid waste management in general, and in
recycling and composting in particular. Government agencies at all levels are
seeking ways to stimulate materials recovery. Local communities are adding
materials recovery and recycling programs, but there is no accurate' nationwide
accounting system. In response to the demand for more recovery and more
markets for recovered products, industry associations and individual companies
have invested large amounts of money and effort in developing new recycling
programs and products containing recovered materials.
,
Because of the rapidly changing situation and uncertainty in the available
data, projections of materials recovery were made,in scenarios that could achieve
different rates of recovery in 2000 and 2010. Scenarios were developed for 25, 30,
and 35 percent recovery rates in 2000 and 30, 35, and 40 percent recovery rates in
2010 (see Appendix B). These scenarios are based on recovery of postconsumer .
MSW and do not include industrial scrap. Also, composting of only food wastes
and yard trimmings is included in these scenarios; estimates of composting of
mixed MSW were not made for this report.
The recovery scenarios developed for this report describe sets of conditions
that could achieve the selected range of recovery rates. The scenarios are not
intended to predict exact recovery rates for any particular material; there are
many ways in which a targeted overall recovery rate could be achieved.
Especially at the state and local levels, differing circumstances mean that
109
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recovery fates of a particular material could be higher -or lower than those used
to develop these scenarios.
Discussion of Assumptions
' . "' .'-.,.''; .. , . . . . - . . ' , "'
' - , . - -', ' . " - . * c '. ..-, »/.;>./";
Some general assumptions and principles were used in making the
recovery estimates: --' ' ,
Recovery includes both recovery for recyclirig and for composting.'
Recovered materials are assumed to have been removed from the
municipal Waste stream. , . , -
- It-was assumed that local, state, and federal agencies will continue to
emphasize recycling and composting as MSW management
alternatives. " , -
» It was assumed that present state deposit laws will remain in place, but
that no additional deposit legislation for containers would be'enacted.
» It was assumed that affected industries will continue to emphasize
recovery and recycling programs, and will make the necessary
investments to achieve higher recycling rates. ;
It was assumed that the current trend toward banning certain yard
trimmings in landfills will continue to 2000, providing stimulus for
composting programs and for source reduction of yard trimmings by
citizens. No additional legislation affecting yard trimmings was
projected past 2000. . .
Based on the preceding assumptions, most-U.S. citizens Will have access
to recovery options before 2000, which will often, in fact, be mandated.
These options will include curbside collection, drop-off and buy-back
centers, and, in some instances, mixed waste processing facilities.
Recovery will continue to increase as more recovery systems come on-
line. , '
In spite of the factors encoufaging more recovery as enumerated above,
many areas of the U.S. are thinly populated and/or remote from ready
markets for recovered,materials; many of these areas also have adequate
landfill capacity. Therefore, the overall recovery rate for the entire
country may not reflect the higher rates achieved in communities
where conditions are favorable for recycling and composting. ,
110
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Scenarios for 2000
The range of projected recovery rates for materials in MSW under three
recovery scenarios (25, 30, and 35 percent) in the year 2000 is shown in Table 34.
(Details of the assumptions for individual products in MSW are in Appendix B.)
Continued increases in recovery in every category will be required to reach the
scenarios shown. To reach a recovery rate of 30 percent nationwide in 2000, 43
percent of all paper and paperboard, 27 percent of all glass, 44 percent of metals,
and over 7 percent of all plastics in MSW would be recovered under this
scenario. Forty percent of all yard trimmings would be recovered for composting
under this scenario (not including backyard composting and other source
reduction measures).
Table34
PROJECTED GENERATION AND RANGES OF RECOVERY,* 2000
(In thousands of tons and percent of generation of each material)
Materials
Paper and Paperboard ,
Glass
Metals
Ferrous
Aluminum
Other Nonferrous**
Total Metals
Plastics
Rubber & Leather
Clothing, Other Textiles
Wood
Yard Trimmingsf
Food Wastes
Other Materials^
Totals
2000 MSW
Generation
(thous tons) '
91,260
14,190
12,830
3,510
1,350
17,690
23,290
7,280
7,490
16,490
23,000
14,900 ,
7,280
222,870
Recovery
Thousand tons
25%
33,280
3,440
4,430
1,380
900
6,710
1,170
620
910
.1,720
7,360
510
Neg.
55,720
30%
39,440
3,830
5,310
1,550
930
7,790
1,690
- 820
1,090 '
2,180
9,200
. 830
, Neg.
66,870
35%
43;340
5,100
6,670
1,710
930
9,310
2,500
1,030
1,210
2,880
11,500
1,130
Neg.
78,000
1994 MSW
% of generation
25%
36.5%
24.2%
34.5%
39.3%
66.7%
37.9%
5.0%
8.5%'
12.1%
10.4%
32.0%
3.4%
Neg.
25.0%
30%
43.2%
27.0%
41.4%
44.2%
68.9%
44.0%
7.3%
11.3%
14.6%
13,2%
40.0%
5.6%
Neg.
30.0%
35%
47.5%
35.9%
' 52.0%
48.7%
68.9%
52.6%
10.7%
- 14.1%
16.2%
17.5%
50.0%
7.6%
Neg.
35.0%
Recovery
(%***)
35.3% ''''
23.4%
32.3%'--.
37.6%
66.1%
35.9%
4.7%
7.1%
11.7%
9.8%
22.9%
' '3.4%'
" Neg."
23.6%
* Recovery of postconsumer wastes; does not include converting/fabrication scrap.
Does not include recovery for mixed MSW composting.
** Includes some nonferrous metals other than battery lead.
t Yard trimmings generation based on source reduction scenario #2 described in Table 33.
^ Miscellaneous inorganic wastes, electrolytes in batteries, other miscellaneous.
** From Table 2. , ' . ,'
Neg. = Negligible (less than 5,000 tons or 0.05 percent) - .
Details may not add to totals due to rounding. < '
Source: Franklin Associates, Ltd.
Ill
-------
To achieve a recovery rate of 35 percent nationwide in 2000, approximately
50 percent of all paper and paperboard, all metals, and yard trimmings would
need to be recovered. Glass recovery would need-to be 35 percent, and recovery of
plastics, clothing and other textiles, and wood would each be about 15 percent of
generation. Increased composting of food waste would also be required to reach
this level of recovery nationwide-
' ' ''> ''''' . : .
Scenarios for 2010
The range of projected recovery rates for materials in MSW under three
recovery scenarios (30, 35, and 40 percent) in the year 2010 is shown in Table 35.
(Details of the assumptions for individual products in MSW are in Appendix B.)
Recovery rates required for a 35 percent recovery rate nationwide are similar to
those described in the 35 percent scenario for 2000. To reach a 40 percent recovery
TableSS '
PROJECTED GENERATION AND RANGES OF RECOVERY,* 2010
(In thousands of tons and percent of generation of each material)
Materials
Paper 'and Paperboard
Glass
Metals . - ' '
Ferrous
Aluminum
Other Nonferrous**
Total Metals
Plastics
Rubber & Leather
Clothing, Other Textiles
Wood
Yard Trimrhingst
Food Wastes
Other Materials:):
Totals
2010
Generation
(thous tons)
108,860 ,
15,650,.
15,010
4,300
1,660
20,970
28,940
8,780
9,220 ;
. 19,940
25,000
16,300 '
, 8,370
262,030
Recovery
Thousand tons
30%
47,460
4,160
6,000
1,880
1,140
9,020
2,060
940
1,380
2,660
10,000
930
Neg.
78,610
35% .
52,140
5,540
7,650
2,120
1,140
10,910
3,140
1,170
1,530
3,500
12,500
1,270
-'' Neg.,
91,700
40% ,
- 56,010
7,620
8,790
2,170
.'.. 1,140
12,100 ..
'4,330
1,640
1,920 .
4,910
13,750
2,530
.Neg.
104,810
% of generation
30%
43.6%
26.6%,
40.0%
43.7%
68.7%'
43.0%
7.1%
10.7%
. 15.0%
13.3%
40.0%
5.7%
Neg.
30.0%
35%
47.9%
' 35.4%
51.0%
49.3%
68.7%^
52.0%
10.9%
,13.3%
16.6%
17.6%
50.0% ,
r, 7.8%
Neg.
35.0%
40%
51.5%
48.7%;
58.6%
50.5%
68.7% .
57.7%
15.0%
18,7%
20.8%
24.6%
55.0%
15.5%
/ Neg. '
40.0%
1994 MSW
Recovery
(%***)
35.3%
23.4%
32.3%
37.6%
66,1%
35,9%
' 4.7%
7.1%
"11.7%'
9.8%
22.9%
3.4%"
Neg.
23.6%
* Recovery of postconsumer wastes; does not include converting/fabrication scrap.
Does not include recovery for mixed MSW composting.
** Includes some nonferrous metals other than battery lead.
t Yard trimmings generation based on source reduction scenario #2 described in Table 33.
\ Miscellaneous inorganic wastes, electrolytes in batteries, other miscellaneous. .
*** From Table 2.
Neg. = Negligible (less than'5,000 tons or 6.05 percent)
Details may not add to totals due to rounding.
Source: Franidin Associates, Ltd. . ' -
112
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rate nationwide in 2010, 52 percent of all paper and paperboard, 49 percent of all
glass, 58 percent of metals, and 15 percent of plastics would need to be recovered.
Significant recovery of clothing, food, and wood'wastes would also be required.
Over 50 percent of all yard trimmings would be recovered for composting under
this scenario. ' .
PROJECTIONS OF MSW DISCARDS AFTER RECOVERY
Discards of municipal solid waste as defined for this report are those
wastes remaining after recovery of materials for recycling and composting of yard
trimmings. The remaining discards,must be managed by combustion, landfilling,
or some other means such as mixed waste composting or preparation of fuel
products. The effects of projected recovery rates on the amounts and
characteristics of municipal solid waste discards are illustrated in Table 36. (A 30
percent recovery scenario for 2000 and 35 percent recovery scenario for 2010 is
shown as an example.) -
This projected scenario of discards, which is baped on substantial
source reduction of yard trimmings and a 30 percent recovery rate for materials
and products generated in 2000, shows a 2.4 percent decrease in MSW discards in
2000 as compared to 1994. Assuming a 35 percent recovery rate for materials and
products generated in 2010, discards from 2000 to 2010 are projected to increase.
This increase in discards occur (versus^ a decrease as shown from 1994 to 2000)
because of the projected "flattening out" of the growth rate for recycling (23.6
percent to 30 percent in a six-year period from 1994 to 2000 versus 30 percent to 35
percent in a ten-year period from 2000 to 2010). Also, a reduction in the
generation of yard trimmings between 1994 and 2000 is projected, whereas the
reduction in generation from 2000 to 2010 is not expected to be as significant. This
is based on the assumption that the majority of legislation banning yard
trimmings from landfills will have occurred before 2000.
The materials composition of MSW discards is quite different from the
materials composition of MSW generation (see Table 27), especially for materials
that are recovered at higher rates. For example, paper and paperboard are
projected to comprise 40.9 percent of MSW generation, but 33.2 percent of MSW
discards, -in 2000. Yard trimmings would decline from 14.6 percent of MSW
generation to 10.3 percent of discards under this scenario in 2000. The percentages
of other materials discards would likewise increase or decrease, depending upon
their projected recovery rates.
113
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Table 36
PROJECTIONS OF MATERIALS DISCARDED* IN MSW: 1994,2000, AND 2010
(RECOVERY SCENARIOS ASSUMED: 30% IN 2000,35% IN 2010)
.(In thousands of tons arid percent of total discards)
Thousand tons
% of discards
Materials
Paper and Paperboard
Glass,.
Metals ,
Ferrous
Aluminum
Other Nonferrous
Total Metals'
, Plastics
Rubber & Leather
Clothing, Other Textiles
/Wood - '
Yard Trimmingst
Food Wastes
Other Materials J
Totals
1994
52,570
10,160
7,800
< 1,910
410
10,120
18,910
5,920
5,790
13,160
23,600
13,590
5,940
159,760 :
2000**
51,820
10,360
7,520 .
1,960
420
9,900
21,600
6,460
6,400
, .14,310
13,800
14,070
7,280
,156,000
2010A
56,720
10,110
7,360
'2,180
520
10,060
. 25,800
7,610
,'7,690
16,430
12,500:
15,030 ;
8,380
170,330
1994
32.9%.
,.6.4%
4.9%
' 1.2%
,0.3%
6.3% .
11.8%..,
3.7%
.3.6%
8.2%
, 14.8%
8.5% :
3.7%
100.0%
2000**
33-2%
6.6% .
4.8%
1.3% ,,
0..3%
6.3%
. 13.8%;
4:1%
4.1% :
9,2%
8.8%
9.0%
4.7%
100.0%
2010A
33.3%
5.9%
4:3%
1.3%
' 0.3%
5.9%
15.1%
4.5%
4.5%
9.6%
7.3%
8.8%
4.9%
100:0%
* Discards after recovery for recycling ana composting of yard trimmings.
** 30 percent recovery scenario assumed for 2000 (Table 34).
A 35 percent recovery scenario assumed for 2010 (Table 35).
t Yard trimmings generation based, on source reduction scenario #2 described in Table 33.
f Miscellaneous inorganic wastes, electrolytes in batteries, other miscellaneous.
Details may not add to totals due to rounding. , - .
Source: Franklin Associates, Ltd.
PROJECTIONS OF MSW COMBUSTION
Making projections of MSW combustion is somewhat difficult because of
the many uncertainties affecting the planning and construction of new facilities.*
Several years are required to site and obtain permits for construction of hew
MSW combustion facilities. Projections of future waste-to-energy combustion
capacity were based on facilities operating or reported under construction or in
planning. Conversely, estimates were made to account for capacity that will be
retired from service after 1994. Based on this analysis, MSW sent to waste-to-
energy combustion facilities was projected to remain near the 1994 level (30
million tons) for 2000 and 2010. . .
While substantial amounts of MSW were burned without energy recovery
in past years, most of these older facilities have been closed due to -the costs of
114
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implementing air pollution requirements. MSW destined for incinerators is
projected to continue to decrease through 2010. Approximately one million tons
of MSW is projected to be managed through incinerators after 1994.
Since there is increasing interest in combustion of certain source-separated
components of MSWespecially tires, but also wood pallets/paper, and
plasticsit was assumed that combustion of these materials would continue to
increase.
Accounting for waste-to-energy combustion, incinerators, and combustion
of source-separated components of MSW, combustion Of MSW is projected to
increase from 32.5 million tons in 1994 to 34 million tons of MSW in 2000. By
2010 MSW combustion is projected to increase to 38 million tons.
SUMMARY OF PROJECTED MSW MANAGEMENT
. ' , *
A summary of the projections is presented, with similar figures for 1994
included for contrast (Table 37). For the summary, a mid-range recovery scenario
of 30 percent in 2000 and 35 percent in 2010 was used. A graphical illustration of
trie long-term trends is shown in Figure 20. .
Table 37
GENERATION, RECOVERY, COMBUSTION, AND DISPOSAL
OF MUNICIPAL SOLID WASTE: 1994,2000, AND 2010
(RECOVERY SCENARIOS ASSUMED: 30% IN 2000,35% IN 2010)
(In thousands of tons and percent of total generation)
Generation
Recovery for recycling
Recovery for composting*
Total materials recovery
Discards after recovery
Combustion**
Landfill, other disposal
Thousands of tons
1994 2000 2010
209,080 222,870 262,030
% of generation
41,840
7,480
56,840
10,030
77,930
13,770
1994 2000 2010
100.0% 100.0% lOp.0%
20.0% 25.5% 29.7%
3.6%
4.5%
5.3%
49,320 66,870 91,700
159,760 156,000 170,330
32,490 34,000 38,000
23.6% 30.0% 35.0%
76.4% 70.0% 65.0%'
"l'5.5% 15.3% 14.5%
127,270 122,000 132,330 60.9% 54.7% 50.5%
*. Composting of yard trimmings and food wastes. Does not include backyard composting.
** Combustion of MSW in mass burn or refuse derived form, incineration without energy
recovery, and combustion with energy recovery of source separated materials in MSW.
Details may not add to totals due to rounding.
Source: Franklin Associates, Ltd. v
115
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From 1994 to 2000, generation of MSW is projected to increase by 1.1
percent per year compared to 2,6 percent per year between 1980 and... 1990. The
generation of MSW is projected to increase by 1.6 percent per year between 2000 ;
and 2010. As described earlier, source reduction of yard trimmings accounts for
most of. the decrease from 1994 to 2000 under the selected scenario. ,
The effect of the mid-rrange scenario for materials recovery for recycling
artd yard trimmings composting causes the discards of MSW to decline between
1994 and :2000, from 159.8 million tons in 1994 to 156.0 million tons in 2000: After
deductions for combustion, discards to landfill and other disposal were 127.3
million tons in 1994/declining to 122.0 million tons in 2000. After deductions for
recycling and combustion, discards to landfill and other disposal were projected
to'increase to 132.3 million tons in 2Q10. '':',' ,
Figure 20. Municipal Solid Waste Management, 1960 to 2010
1960 1965 1970 1975 1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010
'Recovery scenarios assumed: 30% in 2000,35% in 2010. .
ADDITIONAL PERSPECTIVES ON MUNICIPAL SOLID WASTE
In this section, the municipal solid waste (MSW) characterization data
summarized in'previous sections of the report are presented again from different
perspectives. These are:
Historical and projected MSW generation and management on a ,
pounds per person per day basis ,. ;
Historical and projected MSW generation by material on a pounds per
person per day basis -
116
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A classification of 1994 MSW generation into residential and
commercial components ' "
Historical and projected discards of MSW classified into organic and
inorganic fractions
A ranking of products and materials in 1994 MSW by tonnage generated,
and discarded.
Generation and Discards by Individuals
Municipal solid waste planners often think in terms of generation and
discards on a per capita (per person) basis. Data on historical and projected MSW
generation and management are presented on the basis of pounds per persori per
day in Table 38. The top line shows a steady increase in per capita generation of
MSW, from 2.7 pounds per person per day in 1960 to 4.4 pounds per person per
day in 1994, with a projection of 4.4 and 4.8 pounds per person per day in 2000
and 2010, respectively. The primary reason for the projected decline in growth of
MSW generation is a decrease in yard trimmings entering the MSW
management system.
The per capita discards represent the amount remaining after recovery for
recycling and composting. Discards after recovery for recycling and composting
grew from 2.5 pounds per person per day in 1960 to 3.6 pounds per person per day
in 1990. Between 1990 and 1994, discards declined to 3.4 pounds per person per
day due to increased recovery for recycling and composting. Under a 30 percent
Table 38
PER CAPITA GENERATION, MATERIALS RECOVERY, COMBUSTION,
AND DISCARDS OF MUNICIPAL SOLID WASTE, 1960 TO 2010
(In pounds per person per day; population in thousands)
Generation
Recovery for recycling & composting
Discards after recovery
Combustion
Discards to landfill,
other disposal
Resident Population (thousands)
1960
2.67
0.17
2.50
0.82
1.68
179,979
1970
3.29
0.21
3.08
0.67
2.40
203,984
1980
3.67
0.35
3.33
0.33
3.00
227,255
1990
4.33
0.72
3.61
0.70
2.91
249,402
1994
4.40
1.04
3.36
,0,68
2.68
260,341
2000
4.42
1:33
3.09
0.67
2.42
276,241
V
2010
,4.78
1.67
3.11
0.69
2.41
300,431
Projections assume a substantial reduction of yard trimmings generation from 1994 to 2000, a 30% recovery
scenario for 2000, a 35% recovery scenario for 2010, and a slight increase in net combustion of MSW.
Details may not add to totals due to rounding. ",
Population figures from Bureau of the Census, Current Population Reports. . ,
Source: Franklin Associates, Ltd. ,
117
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recovery scenario for 2000. and a 35 percent recovery Scenario for 2010, this
decline is projected to continue, to 3.1 pounds per person per day.
.In 1994, an estimated 0.7 pounds per person per day of discards were
managed through combustion, while the remainder-2.7 pounds per person per
daywent to landfill or other disposal. The projection for 2000 and 2010 is,that
0.7 pounds per person per day would continue to be combusted, and 2.4 pounds
per person per day would'be landfilled. '."'_
In Table 39, per capita generation of each material category characterized in
this study is shown. Paper, plastics, textiles, and wood in MSW have grown on a
per capita basis throughout the 34-year historical period, and this growth is ,
projected to continue. Glass generation grew on a per capita basis during the
earlier decades, but. declined in the 1980s. Generation in the 1990s was lower on a
per capita basis, and is projected to remain constant. Generation of metals and
rubber and leather-on a per capita basis also grew, then declined somewhat. Some
growth in the per capita generation of these materials is projected to 2010.
Table 39
PER CAPITA GENERATION* OF MUNICIPAL SOLID WASTE,
BY MATERIAL, 1960 TO 2010
(In pounds per person-per day)
Materials
Paper and paperboard
Glass
Metals
Plastics
Rubber and leather
Textiles
Wood
Other . '
Total Nonfood Products
Food wastes
Yard trimmings
Miscellaneous inorganic wastes
Total MSW Generated
Resident Population (thousands)
1960
Q.91
0.20
0.32
o.oi x
0.06
0.05
'0.09
0.00
~~L65"
0.37
0.61
0.04
2.67
179,979
1970
1.19
0.34
. 0.39
0.08
0.09
0.05
' 0.11
0.02
I2T
0.34
0.62
0.05
3;29
203,984
1980
1.33
0.36
0.35
0.19
0.11
' 0.06
0.18
0.06
1ST
0.31
0.66
0.05
3.67
227,255
1990
1.60
; 0.29
0,36,
0.37
0.14
0.11
0.27
0.07
"JIT
0.29
0.77
0.06
' Os~
: 249,402.
1994
1.71
0.28
0.33
0,42
,0.13
0.14
0.31
0.08
3.40
0.30
0.64
0.07
4-40
260,341
2000
1.81
0.28
- 0.35
0.46
,' 0.14
0.15
0.33
0.08
3.60
0.30"
0.46
0.07
4.42
276,241
2010
1.99
0.29
0.38
0.53
0.16
-0.17'
0.36
0.09
3W
0.30
0.46
0.07
4'78
300,431
* Generation before materials or energy recovery. , , , , ',
Details may not add to totals due to rounding. ' ,
1 Source: Tables 1 and 27. Population figures from the Bureau of the Census, Current Population Reports.'
118
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Generation of food wastes has declined on a per capita basis due to
increased processing of food before it enters the residential or commercial waste ,
streams. Per capita generation of food wastes is projected to remain constant.
Generation of yard trimmings on a per capita basis increased over a 30-year
period, but has begun to decline for reasons discussed elsewhere in this report, .
Overall, per capita generation of MSW increased throughout the 34-year
study period. This increase is projected to continue, but at a much slower rate of
growth, primarily because of the projected source reduction of yard trimmings. .
Residential and Commercial Generation of MSW
!
The sources of MSW generation are of considerable interest to
management planners. The material flows methodology does not lend itself well
to a distinction as to sources of the materials because the data used are national
in scope. However, a classification of products and materials by residential,and
commercial sources was first made for the 1992 update of this series of reports.
For purposes of this classification, residential waste was considered to
come from both single family and multi-family residences. This is somewhat
contrary to a common practice in MSW management to classify wastes collected
from apartment buildings as commercial. The rationale used for this report is
that the nature of residential waste is basically the same whether it is generated
in a single or multi-family residence. (Yard trimmings are probably the primary
exception, and this was taken into account.) Because of this approach, the
percentage of residential waste shown here is higher than that often reported by
waste haulers.
Commercial wastes for the purpose of this classification include MSW,_ ,
from retail and wholesale establishments; hotels; office buildings; airports and
train stations; hospitals, schools, and other institutions; and similar sources. No
industrial process wastes are included, but normal MSW such as packaging, ,
cafeteria and washroom wastes, and^office wastes from industrial spurces are ,
included. As is the case for the data in Chapter 2, construction and demolition
wastes, sludges, ashes, automobile bodies, and other non-MSW wastes are not
included. ......:.
The classification of MSW generation into residential and commercial
fractions was made on a product-by-product basis (see Appendix C of EPA report
530-R-94-042, Characterization of Municipal Solid Waste in the United States;
1994 Update). The 1994 tonnage generation of each product was allocated to
residential or commercial sources on a "best judgment" basis; then the totals
were aggregated. These are estimates for the nation as a whole, and should not be
taken as representative of any particular region of the country. . ;,
A few revisions to the methodology were made for the current report
based on estimates made in a 1994 report for Keep America Beautiful, which was
119
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extensively reviewed by'public and private sector experts in municipal solid
waste management. Discards *of major appliances and rubber tires were '
reassigned to the commercial sector rather than the residential sector because,
while these products may be used in a residential setting, they tend to be collected
and managed through.thecommercial sector.
Based ori this analysis, a reasonable range foi residential wastes would be
55 to 65 percent of total MSW generation, while commercial wastes probably
range between 35 to 45 percent of total generation (Table 40).
Table40
CLASSIFICATION OF MSW GENERATION INTO
RESIDENTIAL AND COMMERCIAL FRACTIONS, 199^
(In thousands of tons and percent of total)
Residential Wastes
Commercial Wastes
Thousand tons
,114,990 -135,900 '.
."' 73,180 - 94,090
Percent of total
,55.0% - 65.0%
35.0% -45.0%
Estimates are presented as a range because of wide .variations across
the country.
Source: Franklin Associates, Ltd
Organic/Inorganic Fractions of MSW Discards ,
The composition of MSW in.terms of organic and inorganic fractions is of
interest to planners of waste management facilities and others working with
MSW. This characterization of MSW discards is shown in Table 41. (Discards
were used instead of generation because discards enter the solid waste
management system after recovery for recycling and composting.) The organic
fraction of MSW has been increasing steadily since 1970, from 75 percent organics
in 1970 to 85 percent in 1994.
It is interesting to note, however, that the percentage of MSW that is
organics began to "level off" after 1992 because of the projected decline in yard
trimmings discarded. This trend is projected to continue through 2000, with
organics comprising 85 percent of total MSW discards in 2000. After 2000
projected increases in yard trimmings and other organic components of MSW,
such as paper, are expected to cause the organic fraction to increase to
approximately 86 percent of total MSW discards.
Ranking of Products in MSW by Weight
About 50 categories of products and materials are characterized as line
items in the tables iri, Chapter 2. It is difficult when examining that set of tables to
120
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Table 41
COMPOSITION OF MSW DISCARDS*
BY ORGANIC AND INORGANIC FRACTIONS,
1960TO201CT
(In percent of total discards)
Year
1960
1970
1980
1990
1991
1992
1993
1994
2000
2010
Organics**
77.8%
75.3%
78.3%
84.0% ,
84.0%
, 84.3%
84,3%
85.4%
84.9%
86.1%
Inorganicst
' 22.2%
.. 24.7%.
, ' 21.7%
1610%
.16.0%
15.7%
15.7%
14.6%
15.1%
13.9%
Discards after materials recovery has, taken place,
and before combustion.
** Includes paper, plastics, rubberand leather,
textiles, wood, food wastes, and yard trimmings.
t Includes glass, metals, and miscellaneous inorganics.
Details may not add to totals due to rounding.
Source: Tables 3 and 36.
see in perspective the relative tonnages generated or discarded by the different
items. Therefore, Tables 42 and 43 were developed to illustrate this point.
In Table 42, the various products and materials are arranged in descending.
order by weight generated in 1994. .Subtotals in the right-hand column group
components together for further illustration. For example, only yard trimmings
and corrugated boxes stand at the top of the list, with each generating over 10
percent of total MSW. Together these two items totaled 28.2 percent of MSW
generated in 1994. The next seven components, each'comprising 3 to 10 percent
of total MSW generation, accounted for 33.2 percent of generation. Together
these nine components accounted for over 61 percent of total MSW generated.
The 17 items at the bottom of the list each amounted to less than one percent of
generation in 1994; together they amounted to only 6.7 percent of total MSW
generation.
A different perspective is provided in Table 43, which ranks products in
MSW by weight discarded after recovery for recycling and composting., This table
illustrates how recovery alters the products' rankings. For example, corrugated
boxes, which ranked second highest in generation, ranked third in discards in
1994. " ....'
121
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Table 42
GENERATION OF MUNICIPAL SOLID WASTE, 1994
ARRANGED IN DESCENDING ORDER BY WEIGHT
. (In thousands of tons)
, Thousand
\
Components comprising > 10% of total MSW generation
Yard trimmings ,
Corrugated boxes ,
Components comprising 3-10% of total MSW generation
Food wastes - . ,- ' ' .
Newspapers ' " ', ' . ' '.
Miscellaneous durables
Wood packaging '..'',. -
Furniture and furnishings
Office-type papers
Other commercial printing
Components comprising 2-3% of total MSW generation
Glass beer & soft drink bottles
Paper folding cartons
Glass food & other bottles
Clothing and footwear
>Other nonpackaging paper
Third class mail ,'
Components comprising 1-2% of total MSW generation
Rubber tires ,
Miscellaneous nondurables
Major appliances
Steel cans and other packaging -
Miscellaneous inorganic wastes
Disposable diapers
Tissue paper and towels "
Other plastic packaging
Carpets and rugs
Paper bags and sacks
Magazines . '
Aluminum cans and other packaging
Plastic wraps
Plastic other containers .
Components comprising < 1% of total MSW generation
Glass wine & liquor bottles
Lead-acid batteries
Plastic bags and sacks
' Books
Other paper packaging * '
Trash bags
Paper plates and cups
Towels, sheets, and pillowcases
Small appliances'
Mastic soft drink bottles
Plastic milk bottles
Paper milk cartons
Telephone directories
Plastic plates and cups ' <
Other paperboard packaging
. Other miscellaneous packaging
Paper wraps
Ttital MSW Generation
\
tons
.30,600
28,420
14,070
13,540
10,550-
10,210
7,510
6,760
6,740
5,250
5,140
5,000
" 4,490
4,480
4,400
3,690
3,400
3,370
3,110 .
3,100
2,980
2,860
2,550
2,320
2,240
2,160
2,090
2,080
,2,060
1,820
1,740
.1,590
1,140
1,110
910
870
..: 770
750
640
570 .
' 520
-470
440
" 300
180
90
209,080
Percent
of total
14.6%
13,6%
6.7%
6.5%
. 5.0%
4.9%
3.6%
3.2%
3.2%
2.5%
2.5%
2.4%
-2.1%
2.1%
2.1%
" 1.8%
1.6%
1.6%
1.5%
1.5%
1.4%
1.4%
1.2%
1.1%
1.1%
1.0%
" 1.0%
1.0%
_ 1.0%
'. 0.9%
0.8%
0.8%
0.5%
. . 0.5%
- 0.4%
! ' 0.4%
0:4%
0.4%
0.3%.
0.3%
0.2%
0.2%
0.2%
0.1%
. 0.1%
0.0%
100.0%
Percent
subtotals
:' * . ,
. 28.2%
33.2%
13.8%
18.2%
-i '
6.7%
. 100.0%
Source: Chapter 2.
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Table 43
DISCARDS OF MUNICIPAL SOLID WASTE, 1994
ARRANGED IN DESCENDING ORDER BY WEIGHT
(In thousands of tons)
Thousand
Components comprising > 10% of total MSW discards
Yard trimmings
Components comprising 3-10% of total MSW discards
Food wastes
Corrugated boxes
Miscellaneous durables
Wood packaging
Furniture and furnishings
Newspapers
Other commercial printing
Components comprising 2-3% of total MSW discards
Other nonpadcaging paper
Paper folding cartons
Glass food & other bottles
Clothing and footwear
Office-type papers
Third class mail
Glass beer & soft drink bottles
Miscellaneous nondurables
Rubber tires
Components comprising 1-2% of total MSW discards
Miscellaneous inorganic wastes
Disposable diapers
Tissue paper and towels
Other plastic packaging
Carpets and rugs
Plastic wraps
Plastic other containers
Paper bags and sacks
Plastic bags and sacks
Components comprising < 1% of total MSW discards
Steel cans and other packaging
Magazines
Major appliances
Glass wine & liquor bottles
Other paper packaging
Aluminum cans and other packaging
Books
Trash bags
Paper plates and cups
Small appliances
Towels, sheets, and pillowcases
Paper milk cartons
Telephone directories
Plastic plates and cups
Plastic milk bottles
Plastic soft drink bottles
Other paperboard packaging ,
Other miscellaneous packaging
Lead-acid batteries .
Paper wraps
JT Jc
Total MSW Discards
tons
, 23,600
13,590
12,710
10,240
8,780
7,510
7,410
5,650
4,480
4,180
4,010
'3,940
3,880
3,790
3,600
3,400
3,130
3,100
2,980
2,860
2,540
, 2,310
2,050 ,
1,920
1,820
1,550
1,510
1,510
1,460
1,350
1,110 '
940
920
910
870.
750 .
640
520
420
420
400
320
300
180
110
90
159,760
Percent
of total
14.8%
8.5%
8.0%
6.4%
5.5%
4.7% '
4.6%
3.5%
2.8%
2.6%
2.5%
' 2.5%
2.4%
2.4%
2.3%
2.1%
" 2.0%
1.9%
1.9%
1.8%
1.6%
1.4%
1.3%
1.2%
1.1%
1.0%
0.9%
0.9%
.0.9%
0.8% .
0.7%
0.6%
0.6%
0.6%
0.5%
0.5%
0.4%
0.3%
0.3%
0.3%
0.3%
0.2%
0.2%
' 0.1%
0.1%
0.1%
100.0%
Percent
subtotals
14.8%
41.2%
21.5%
13.2%
9.2%
100,0%
Source: Chapter 2.
,123
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Yard trimmings accounted for 14.8 percent of total MSW discards in 1994.
Seven components, each representing 3 to 10 percent of total MSW discards,
accounted for over 41 percent of discards. These components included; food
wastes, corrugated boxes, miscellaneous durables, wood packaging, furniture and
furnishings, newspapers,, and other commercial printing. Together these eight
components made up 56 percent of MSW discards in 1994. Twenty categories of
discards were each less than one percent of the total; together these items totaled
9.2 percent of 1994 discards. '
124,
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Chapter 4
REFERENCES
Alozie, Emmanuel C. "More Illegal Dumping in Missouri." Kansas City Star.
August 15,1994.
Composting Council. "Yard Waste Legislation: Disposal Bans and Similar Passed
Bills as of July, 1993." Fact Sheet. July 1993. '
Conversation with a representative of a waste hauler. August 10, 1994.
Franklin Associates/Ltd. The Role of Recycling in Integrated Solid Waste
Management to the Year 2000. Keep America Beautiful, Inc. September 1994.
Harrison-Ferris, Pamela. "Letters to the Editor." BioCycle. July 1992.
Kiser, Jonathan V.L., and John Menapace. "The 1995 IWSA Municipal Waste
Combustion Directory Of United States Facilities." Integrated Waste Services
Association. March 1995.
Monk, Randall. "After the Ban." MSW Management. September/October 1992.
Raymond Communication. State Recycling Laws Update. 1994.
Sheehan, Kathleen; "Yard Waste CompostingA Legislative Update." Waste
Age. February 1994.
Steuteville, Robert. "Measuring the Impact of Disposal Bans." BioCycle.
September 1994.
Steuteville, Robert. "The State of Garbage in America, Part II." BioCycle. May
1995. Also earlier editions of the same BioCycle survey.
U.S. Department of Commerce. 1994 Statistical Abstract of the United States.
U.S. Department of Commerce, Bureau,of the Census. Current Population
Reports, National and State Population Estimates: 1990 to 1994. P25-1127. Issued
July 1995.
U.S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of the Census. Current Population
Reports, Population Projections of the U.S. by Age, Sex, Race, and Hispanic
Origin: 1993 to 2050. P25-1104. Issued November 1993.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Characterization of Municipal Solid
Waste in the United States: 1994 Update. EPA/530-R-94-042. November 1994.
125
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Chapters
CLIMATE CHANGE
This chapter, provides an overview of the climate chanEge implications, of
municipal solid waste. Specifically, this chapter will provide a brief explanation
of the "greenhouse effect" and climate change, discuss the relationship of
materials found in municipal solid waste to greenhouse gas emissions, and
describe generally the impacts of various waste management strategies on
greenhouse gas emissions. .
INTRODUCTION
Climate' change is a s'erious international environmental concern and one
which is the subject of much ongoing research and debate. Carbon dioxide and
other so-called greenhouse gases form a type of "atmospheric blanket" around
the planet's surface, regulating the earth's temperature by trapping some of the
sun's heat. This natural process is commonly referred to as the "greenhouse
effect." However, many in the international scientific community believe that
significant recent increases in carbon dioxide and other so-called greenhouse
gases in the atmosphere are throwing the natural "greenhouse effect" seriously
but of balance. Increased concentrations of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere
are believed to stem, at least in part, from human activity, particularly the -
'burning of fossil fuels (coal, oil/natural gas). There is growing consensus in the
international scientific community that- the buildup of carbon dioxide and other
greenhouse gases in the atmosphere will lead to major climatic and
environmental changes, including higher average surface temperatures, rising
sea levels and inundation of coastal areas, and more frequent and severe storms.
In 1993. President Clinton announced a national plan to reduce emissions
of greenhouse gases in the United States to 1990 levels by the year 2000. The plan,
called the Climate Change Action Plan (CCAP), is based on the Framework
Convention on Climate, Change an: international agreement which challenges
the industrial countries of the world to stabilize greenhouse gas concentrations
in the atmosphere. The CCAP is a. comprehensive plan which establishes a
partnership between the Federal government, state and local governments, and
the American business community to identify and implement voluntary
strategies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
The major greenhouse gases are carbon dioxide (COz), methane
nitrous oxide (N2O), and hydro fluorocarbons (HFCs). Without the Action Plan,
net emissions of these gases in the U.S. are projected to grow by about 7 percent
between 1990 and 2000 from 1,462 million metric tons of carbon equivalent .
(MMTCE) to 1,568 MMTCE. To return U.S., greenhouse gas emission
126
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to 1990 levels by the year 2000, the Action Plan calls for reductions of 108 MMTCE
in titie year 2000.
For purposes of the CCAP, all greenhouse gas emissions are calculated in
terms of "carbon equivalents/' which are derived from a measure of the global
warming potential (GWP) for the greenhouse gas. For example, the greenhouse
effect of one ton of methane is equivalent to that of 24.5 tons of carbon dioxide.
Carbon dioxide from the extraction of fossil energy production is the
largest contributor to greenhouse gas emissions in the U.S. In 1990, net U.S.
emissions of greenhouse gases were:
carbon dioxide1,237 MMTCE
methane166 MMTCE
nitrous oxide39 MMTCE
hydro fluorocarbons20 MMTCE.
The CCAP establishes over 50 new or expanded initiatives to reduce
emissions from all sectors of the economy that emit greenhouse gases. These
initiatives include projects which reduce greenhouse emissions through:,the
promotion of commercial, residential, and industrial energy efficiency;
improved forestry practices; and recovery of 'methane and other greenhouse
gases. ,
One of the initiatives established under CCAP is Action #16"Accelerate
Source Reduction, Pollution Prevention, and Recycling." This action directs the ,
EPA, Department of Agriculture, and the Department of Energy to work together
to promote source reduction, pollution prevention, and recycling of municipal
solid waste. Source reduction and recycling initiatives as outlined in President
Clinton's 1993 Climate Change Action Plan will make a significant contribution
to reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
RELATIONSHIP OF MUNICIPAL SOLID WASTE TO GREENHOUSE
EMISSIONS
What do source reduction, pollution prevention, and recycling of
municipal solid waste have to do with rising jsea levels and higher .
temperatures? Actually, a lot. For many wastes, what we dispose is the material
that is left over after a long series of steps including: 1) extraction and processing
of raw materials; 2) manufacture of products; 3) transportation of materials and
products to markets; 4) use by consumers; and 5) waste management. We refer to
this series of steps as the "life cycle."
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At virtually every step along this "life cycle/' the potential exists for
greenhouse gas impacts. In its simplest terms, waste affects greenhouse .gases
through one, two, or all three of the following mechanisms:
1) Energy consumption (specifically, burning of fossil fuels) associated ,
with making, transporting, and using the product or material that
becomes a waste.
2) Methane emissions; from landfills where the waste is disposed.
(Methane is one of the most'potent greenhouse gases.)
3) Carbon sequestration. Carbon sequestration refers to natural or man-!
made processes which remove carbon from the atmosphere and store it
for long time periods or permanently. ;
The first two mechanismsburning fossil fuels and emissions of
methane from landfillsclearly add greenhouse gases to the atmosphere and
contribute to global warming. The third mechanismcarbon sequestration-^-
reduces greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere by removing carbon
dioxide from the atmosphere. Forests are one mechanism for sequestering ,
carbon; growing more trees or cutting down fewer trees enables forests.to remove
more carbon dioxide from the atmosphere for a time.
GREENHOUSE GAS IMPACTS OF VARIOUS MUNICIPAL SOLID WASTE
MATERIALS AND MANAGEMENT OPTIONS
Measuring the greenhouse gas impacts of municipal solid waxste requires
looking at the specific components of municipal solid waste and the various
ways that municipal solid waste is managed. The following materials* comprise
about 60 percent of municipal solid waste and have significant potential to affect
greenhouse gas emissions depending on how they are managed:
newspaper "
office paper
corrugated cardboard
aluminum cans
steel cans
HDPE (high-density polyethylene) plastic
LDPE (low-density polyethylene) plastic
PET (polyethylene terephthalate) plastic
food waste
yard trimmings.
As of publication of this report, EPA has not begun to examine in detail the potential
greenhouse gas implications of managing other components of municipal solid waste.
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Each of these materials -has different potential climate impacts depending
on whether it is source reduced, recycled, composted, combusted, or landfilled.
To determine the greenhouse gas effects of these options, one must look at the
steps in the material life cycle that have the potential to affect greenhouse gas
emissions as the material makes its way from a raw material to a waste. Key
inputs to this analysis include: .
greenhouse gas emissions from extraction and processing of raw
materials, manufacturing, transportation, and waste management;
changes in carbon sequestration (i.e., in forests and landfills);
opportunities for displacement of utility fossil fuels (due to energy
recovery at landfills or combustors).
The potential for these effects must be examined at the following points in
a product's life cycle:
raw material acquisition (e.g., fossil fuel energy and other greenhouse
gas emissions; any change in forest carbon sequestration);
manufacturing (e.g., fossil fuel energy emissions);
waste management (e.g., greenhouse gas emissions associated with
combustion and landfilling, offset by any energy recovery and avoided
utility emissions as well as any carbon sequestration in landfills).
Each of the major municipal waste management options and their major
greenhouse gas implications are described briefly below:
Source Reduction. When a material is source reduced, some or all of it is
not produced. As a result, for every unit of material not produced,
greenhouse gas emissions associated with raw material acquisition,
manufacturing, and waste management are avoided. In sum, there are no
greenhouse gas emissions to count with source reduction.' Moreover, if
the material in question is a forest product, a "credit" is given for forest
carbon sequestration in the case of source reduction; that, is, for every ton
of forest product not harvested, forest carbon sequestration increases
(resulting in a decrease in greenhouse gas emissions). EPA's ongoing
analysis of the climate impacts of source reduction apply to the source
reduction strategies of material light weighting or reuse.
Recycling. When a material is recycled, it is used in place of virgin inputs
in the manufacturing process. The greenhouse gas implications of
recycling are the following: 1) .avoided greenhouse gas emissions from ,raw
129
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material acquisition (although transportation-related energy./emissions
resulting from the collection and transport of recycled materials are
counted); 2) reduced greenhouse gas emissions in the manufacturing stage
(because manufacturing with recycled inputs generally requires less energy
than using virgin inputs); and 3) avoided greenhouse gas emissions at the
waste management stage. As is the case with source reduction, if the " ,
material in question is a forest product and is recycled, "credit" is given for
forest carbon sequestration: that is, for every ton of forest product not
harvested, forest carbon sequestration increases (resulting in a
corresponding decrease in greenhouse gas emissions).
Composting. When organic materials are composted, they decompose to
humus (humic acid, fulvic acid, and humin) and CO2. The materials that
may be composted (e.g., leaves, grass, food waste, paper) are all originally
'produced by trees or other plants. International climate change protocols
dictate that CO2 emitted from these materials when they degrade is
"biogenic GO2," and is not counted in greenhouse gas emission
inventories. Although composting may result in some production of
methane due to anaerobic decomposition in the center of the compost
pile, it is likely that the methane is oxidized to CO2 before it escapes from
the cpmpost pile. Thus, very little if any-greenhouse gas emissions are
counted against composting. ,
Of course, emissions associated with materials acquisition and .
manufacturing of products that end up being composted (e.g., paper
products) are counted in assessing the greenhouse gas impacts of
composting. --. .
Combustion. As is the case with composting, when a waste is combusted
one must consider the greenhouse gas impacts associated with the raw
materials acquisition and manufacturing of the material to be composted.
In addition/one must consider the greenhouse gases associated with
combustion itself. Two greenhouse gases are emitted when waste is
combusted: CO2 and,l
-------
of the material to be landfilled. Then, one must consider th.6 specific
greenhouse gas impacts of landfilling: e.g., methane emissions, avoided
utility emissions, and landfill carbon sequestration. Methane is produced
from the decomposition of organic matter in landfills and is one of the
more potent greenhouse gases. Landfill methane is either released to the
atmosphere, flared, or recovered for energy (i.e., electricity generation).
Methane released to the atmosphere is counted as a greenhouse gas
emission; methane recovered for energy represents a reduction in
greenhouse gas emissions. Landfill carbon sequestration (carbon that does
Jiot degrade to CC>2 or CH4 in a landfill and is stored long term in the
landfill) also represents a decrease in greenhouse gas emissions. ;
EPA is currently undertaking a detailed analysis of climate impacts of
various municipal solid waste management strategies. This work will be made
available for public review and comment when a draft report is completed.
Research to date indicates that source reduction and recycling of municipal solid
waste can significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
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Appendix A
MATEMAL FLOWS METHODOLOGY
The material flows methodology is illustrated in Figures A-l and A-2. The
crucial first step is making estimates of the generation of the materials and
products in MSW (Figure A-l).
DOMESTIC PRODUCTION
Data on domestic production of materials and products were,compiled
using published data series. U.S. Department of Commerce sources were used
where available, but in several instances, more detailed information on
production of goods by end use is available from trade associations. The. goal is to
obtain a consistent historical data series for each product and/or material.
CONVERTING SCRAP
The domestic production numbers were then adjusted for converting or
fabrication scrap generated in .the production processes. Examples of these kinds ,
of scrap would be clippings from plants that make boxes from paperboard, glass
scrap (cullet) generated in a glass bottle plant, or plastic scrap from a fabricator of
plastic consumer products. This scrap typically has a high value because it is
clean, and readily identifiable, arid it is almost always recovered and recycled
within the industry that generated it. Thus, converting/fabrication scrap is not
counted as part of the postconsumer recovery of waste.
ADJUSTMENTS FOR IMPORTS/EXPORTS
In some instances imports and exports of products are a significant part of
MSW, and adjustments were made to account for this. /
DIVERSION
. ' : . - *
,''".' . " . ' --"" : /
Various adjustments were made to account for diversions from MSW.
Some consumer products are permanently diverted from the municipal waste
stream because of the way they are used. For example, some paperboard is used
in building materials, which are not counted as MSW. Another example of
diversion is toilet tissue, which is disposed in sewer systems rather than '-.'.
becoming MSW.
'''.-," \ .
In other instances, products are temporarily diverted from the municipal
waste stream. For example, textiles reused as rags are assumed to enter the waste
stream the same year the textiles are initially discarded, ,
132
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Domestic Production
of
Materials/Products
Conversion/
fabricating
Scrap
Imports
of
Materials/Products
Exports
of
Materials/Products
Diversion
of
Materials/Products
Permanent
Diversion
Municipal
Solid Waste
Generation
I
I
, Temporary
Diversion
Figure A-1. Material flows methodology for estimating
generation of products and materials in municipal solid waste.
133
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MSW
Generation
Recovery for
Recycling
Recovery for
Composting
I
Discards after
Recycling and
Composting
Recovery for
Combustion with
Energy Recovery
Recovery for
Combustion without
Energy Recovery
Discards
to Landfill and
Other Disposal
Figure A-2. Material flows methodology for estimating
recovery and discards of municipal solid waste.
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ADJUSTMENTS FOR PRODUCT LIFETIME
Some products (e.g., newspapers and packaging) normally have a very
short lifetime; these products are assumed to be discarded in the same year they
are produced. In other instances (e.g., furniture and appliances), products have
relatively long lifetimes. Data on average product lifetimes are used to adjust the
data series to account for this.
MUNICIPAL SOLID WASTE GENERATION AND DISCARDS
The result of these estimates and calculations is a material-by-material and
product-by-product estimate of MSW generation, recovery, and discards.
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Appendix B
RECOVERY SCENARIOS FOR 2000 AND 2010
Because of the rapidly changing situation and uncertainty in the available
data, projections of materials recovery were1 made in scenarios that could achieve
different rates of recovery in 2000 ,and 2010. Scenarios were developed for total
MSW recovery rates of 25, 30, and 35 percent recovery rates in 2000; and 30, 35,
and 40 percent recovery rates in 2010. These scenarios are based on recovery of
postconsumer MSW and do not include industrial scrap. Also, estimates for
composting of food wastes and yard trimmings are including in these scenarios.
The recovery scenarios developed for this report describe sets of conditions
that could achieve the selected range of recovery rates. The scenarios are not
intended to predict exact recovery rates for any particular material; there are
many ways in which a selectecl overall recovery rate could be achieved.
Discussion of Assumptions _ ,
Some general assumptions and principles were used in making the '
recovery estimates:
Recovery includes both recovery for recycling and for composting.
It was assumed that local, state, and federal agencies will continue to
emphasize recycling and composting as MSW management
alternatives.
It was assumed that there will be no new deposit laws for beverage
containers, but that the present state deposit laws will remain in place.
It was assumed thai: affected industries will continue to emphasize
recovery and recycling programs,, and will make the necessary
investments to achieve higher recycling rates.
It was assumed that the currerit trend toward banning certain yard
trimmings in landfills will continue, providing stimulus for
composting programs and for source reduction of yard trimmings by
citizens. ; ,
Based on the preceding assumptions, most U.S. citizens will have access
to recovery options by 2000, which will often, in fact, be mandated.
These options willinclude curbside collection, drop-off and buy-back
centers, and composting facilities. Recovery will continue to increase as
more recovery systems come on-line. ' ..~
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In spite of the factors encouraging more recovery as enumerated above/
many areas of the U.S. are thinly populated and/or remote from ready
markets for recovered materials; many of these areas also have adequate
landfill capacity. Therefore, the overall recovery rate for the entire
country may not reflect the rates achieved in communities where
conditions are favorable for recycling and composting.
The ranges of projected recovery assumptions for the various materials in
MSW are shown for 2000 and 2010 in Table B-1 and Table B-2, respectively.
Assumed recovery rates were based on existing recovery rates in 1994, with
projected growth that seemed reasonably achievable nationwide for the period of
time under consideration. Projections for each product in MSW were made
separately, and the results were aggregated, with some minor adjustments to
achieve the three selected scenarios for each year. Assumptions as to the
projected recovery rates for specific products and materials were made in ranges.
It is certainly possible (indeed, probable) that any given material will be
recovered at higher or lower rates than those given here, but the scenarios
illustrate how the selected recovery rates could be reached.
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