United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
Office of Solid Waste
and Emergency Response
Washington, D,C. 20460
EPA/53Q-SW-88-033
March 1988
Solid Waste
Characterization of Municipal
Solid Waste in the
United States, 1960 to 2000
(Update 1988)
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5037? ¦ 101
REPORT DOCUMENTATION
PAGE
1. RETORT NO.
EPA/530-SW-88-033
PC8 8
S. Recipient'* Aceastion No.
2 32 7 3 0iiS
4. Tit!* and Subtitle a _ _
Characterization of Municipal Solid Waste in the United
States, 1960 to 2000 (Update 1988) [Franklin Report]
5. Report Data
March 1988
s.
7. Author!*)
Office of Solid Waste/Franklin Associates, Ltd.
S. Partorming Organization Rapt. No.
9, Performing Organization Nam* and Add rat*
Franklin Associates, Ltd.
10. Preject/Task/Work Unit No.
WA No. 65
1L Contract(C) or Grant(G) No.
«s 68-01-7310
12. Sponsoring Organization Nam* and Addre**
EPA
401 M Street, SW
Washington, DC 20460 -
IS. Type of Report ft Period Cowered
14.
IS. Supplementary NNm
IS. Abstract (Limit: 200 «on**>
This report is an update of Chapter 1 of the 1986 report, Characterization of
Municipal Solid Waste in the United States, 1860 to 2000. Thisjeport pre!sents
a summary of estimates of historical municipal solid waste quantities an
composition from 1960 to 1986, with projections to the year 2000.
17. Document Analyst* a. De*criptor*
b. Identtflere/OpenEnded Term*
e. COSATI Field/Group
IS. Availability Statement
RELEASE UNLIMITED
/
21. No. of Page*
93
20. Security Claw (Thi* Page)
UNCLASSIFIED
22. Price
(See ANSI-239.18) $•• Instruction* on Rmm OPTIONAL FORM 272 (4-77)
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PREFACE
This report is an update of Chapter 1 of the 1986 report,
Characterization of Municipal Solid Waste in the United States, 1960
to 2000. Both reports were prepared for the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency as part of the RCRA Subtitle D report effort. Gerri
Dorian was EPA's project manager.
Franklin Associates project manager was Marjorie A. Franklin,
who also was the principal author. Staff support was provided by
Nicholas S. Artz, Jacob E. Beachey, Veronica R. Sellers, and
•Catherine L. Tot ten.
This work was performed under subcontract to NTJS Corporation,
EPA Contract So. 68-01-7310, Work Assignment 65. Gary Galida was NUS1
project manager.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
SUMMARY S-l
MATERIALS AND PRODUCTS IN THE MUNICIPAL WASTE STREAM S-l
CHARACTERIZATION OF MUNICIPAL SOLID WASTE IN THE UNITED STATES,
I960 TO 2000 - UPDATE 1988 I
BACKGROUND I
OVERVIEW 1
METHODOLOGY 2
Materials and Produces Included in These Estimates 4
Materials and Products Not Included in These Estimates 5
Projections 5
MATERIALS IN THE MUNICIPAL WASTE STREAM 5
Paper and Paperboard <,
Glass 3
Ferrous Metals 9
Aluminum - 9
Other Nonferrous Metals 9
Plastics 9
Rubber and Leather 9
Textiles 9
Wood 9 *
Food Wastes 10
Yard Wastes . 10
Miscellaneous Inorganic Wastes 10
PRODUCTS IN THE MUNICIPAL WASTE STREAM 10
Durable Goods 10
Nondurable Goods 14
Containers and Packaging 15
Glass 15
Steel 15
Aluminum 16
Paper and Paperboard 16
Plastics 16
Wood 16
Other Miscellaneous Packaging 16
TRENDS III MUNICIPAL SOLID WASTE 16
ttm Effects of Materials and Energy Recovery on
-Vastes Discarded 17
Discards and Materials Recovery in 1986 17
Discards by Individuals 23
Organics/Inorganics 23
"HOW THIS DATA SERIES DIFFERS FROM THE PREVIOUS ESTIMATES 23
REFERENCES 30
iii
FRANKLIN ASSOCIATES, LTD.
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s-
s-
s-
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
LIST OF TABLES
Page
Materials Discarded Into the Municipal Waste Stream
Products Discarded Into the Municipal Waste Stream
Gross Discards, Recovery, and Net Discards of
S-2
S-3
Municipal Solid Waste
S-4
Materials Discarded Into the Municipal Waste Stream,
I960 to 2000 (In millions of tons) 6
Materials Discarded Inco the Municipal Waste Stream,
1960 to 2000 (In percent of total discards) 7
Products Discarded Into the Municipal Waste Stream,
1960 to 2000 (In millions of tons) 11
Products Discarded Into the Municipal Waste Stream,
1960 to 2000 (In percent of total discards) 12
Gross Discards, Recovery, and Net Discards of Municipal
Solid Waste, 1960 to 2000 (In millions of tons) 18
Gross Discards, Recovery, and Net Discards of Municipal
Solid Waste, 1960 to 2000 (In pounds per person per day) 19
„ Gross Discards, Recovery, and Net Discards of Materials
in Municipal Solid Waste, 1986 (In millions of tons
and percent) , 21
Gross Discards, Recovery, and Net Discards of Products
in Municipal Solid Waste, 1986 (In millions of tons *
and percent) 22
Discards of Municipal Solid Waste by Individuals, 1960
to 2000 (In pounds per person per day) 24
Composition of Municipal Solid Waste Discards by Organic
and Inorganic Fractions, 1960 to 2000 26
Comparison of 1984 Discards Estimated in 1986 and 1988 29
iv
FRANKLIN ASSOCIATES, LTD
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Figure
S-l
1
2
3
4
5
6
LIST OF FIGURES
Gross discards, recovery, and net discards of
municipal solid waste, I960 to 2000
Generalized material flows for products in the
municipal waste stream
Materials discarded into the municipal waste stream
in 1986, in percent of total
Products discarded into the municipal waste stream,
1986, in percent of total
Gross discards, recovery, and net discards of
municipal solid waste, I960 to 2000
Gross discards and net discards (after materials
and energy recovery) of municipal solid waste,
in pounds per person per day, 1960 to 2000
Composition of municipal solid waste by organic
and inorganic fractions, 1960 to 2000
v
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ATTENTION
AS NOTED IN THE NTIS ANNOUNCEMENT,
PORTIONS OF THIS REPORT ARE NOT LEGIBLE.
HOWEVER, IT IS THE BEST REPRODUCTION
AVAILABLE FROM THE COPY SENT TO NTIS.
VI
I
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CHARACTERIZATION OF MUNICIPAL SOLID WASTE
"BrtHE-UNITED STATES, 1960 TO 2000
UPDATE 1988
SUMMARY
Knowledge of the quantities and composition of municipal
solid waste (MSW) is a necessary tool for many aspects of solid waste
management. This report, which is an update of previous work in 1986,
presents a summary of estimates of historical MSW quantities and compo-
sition from 1960 to 1986, with projections to the year 2000.
The material flows methodology developed by EPA in the early
1970s, with refinements that have been added in succeeding years, was
used to make these estimates.
MATERIALS AND PRODUCTS IN THE MUNICIPAL WASTE STREAM
the quantities of the various materials that make up the
municipal waste stream do not increase (or decrease) at the saae race.
Table^ S-l illustrates the changing composition of MSW over time. 4
(MSW 'discards in this table are those remaining after materials re-
covery has taken place.) Paper and plastics materials have been
increasing more rapidly than the other components of the waste
stream. Glass, ferrous metals, rubber, and other materials have
been increasing more slowly or even declining.
Products in the municipal waste stream were characterized in
detail and grouped as durable goods, nondurable goods, containers and
packaging, and other wastes. Table S-2 illustrates trends in product
discards after materials recovery has taken place.
Durable goods, which are increasing rather slowly in the waste
stream, include large appliances, furniture, tires, and other miscel-
laneous items. Nondurable goods are growing more rapidly. Paper pro-
ducts in this category, especially office paper and printing papers,
have been growing more rapidly than most other products. Plastic
products in this category have also been increasing.
CooSflners and packaging as a percentage of MSW have been
showing a declining trend in recent years. This is caused by the
Increasing use of relatively lightweight aluminum and plastics and
decreasing use of heavier steel and glass containers.
S-l
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Table S-l
MATERIALS S-I SCARPED INTO XHE MUNICIPAL WASTE STREAM*
(In Billions of"cons and percent)
1970 1986 2000
Materials
tons
%
tons
%
tons
%
Paper and Paperboard
36.5
32.4
50.1
35.6
66.0
39.1
Glass
12.5
11.1
11.8
8.4
12.0
7.1
Metals
13.5
12.0
12.6
8.9
14.4
8.5
Plastics
3.0
2.7
10.3
7.3
15.6
9.2
Rubber and Leather
3.0
2.7
3.9
2.8
3.8
2.3
Textiles
2.0
1.8
2.8
2.0
3.3
2.0
Wood
4.0
3.6
5.8
4.1
6.1
3.6
Other
0.1
-
0.1
-
0.1
-
Food Wastes
12.8
11.4
12.5
8.9
12.3
7.3
Yard Wastes
23.2
20.6
28.3
20.1
32.0
19.0
Miscellaneous Inorganics
1.9
1.7
2.6
1.8
3.2
1.9
TOTALS -
112.5
100.0
140.8
100.0
168.8
100.0
* Wastes discarded after
materials recovery and
before
energy
recovery
id
•
Details may not add Co totals due to rounding.
Source: Franklin Associates, Ltd.
S-2
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Table S-2
PRODUCTS DISCARDED INTO THE MUNICIPAL WASTE STREAM*
(In millions'of - cons and percent)
1970 1986 2000
Products
tons
%
cons
%
tons
V
<9
Durable Goods
13.9
12.4
19.2
13.6
23.0
13.6
Nondurable Goods
¦ 21.4
19.0
35.4
25.1
47.5
28.1
Containers and Packaging
39.3
34.9
42.7
30.3
50.7
30.0
Other Wastes
37.8
33.6
43.4
30.8
47.5
28.1
TOTALS
112.5
100.0
140.8
100.0
168.8
100.0
* Wastes discarded after materials recovery and before energy recovery.
Details may not add to totals due to rounding.
Source: Franklin Associates, Ltd.
The "Other Wastes" category includes food wastes, yard wastes*
and other miscellaneous inorganic wastes. This category has been slowly
increasing in tonnage, but decreasing as a percentage of total- discards.
For this updated report, tables have been added to show the
effect of materials and energy recovery on gross discards. (The pre-
vious tables showed net discards after materials recovery.) Table S-3 and
Figure S-l show these trends. While gross discards of MSW are increas-
ing, materials and energy recovery have the effect of keeping the wastes
to be landfilled relatively constant. Increased recovery efforts could
lower the net discards even more.
S-3
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Table S-3
(&OSS DISCARDS, RECOVERY, AND NET DISCARDS
OF MUNICIPAL SOLID
WASTE
(In millions of
tons)
1960
1970
1986
2000
Gross Discards
87.5
120.5
157.7
192.7
Materials recovery
5.8
8.0
16.9
23.9
Energy recovery
-
0.4
9.6
32.0
Net discards*
81.7
112.1
131.2
136.8
* Note that these discards are lower than the discards in Table S-l and
S-2 because energy recovery has been deducted.
Source: Franklin Associates, Ltd.
t 'i i"ir i i i i i i r I' I" i" i I i i i i i i"" i" i
1960
1970
1975
1980
1985
1990
1995
2000
Figure S-l. Gross discards, recovery, and net discards of municipal solid
waste, 1960 to 2000.
S-4
FRANKLIN ASSOCIATES, LTD.
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CHARACTERIZATION OF MUNICIPAL SOLID WASTE
1 IN THE UNITED- STATES, I960 TO 2000
UPDATE 1988
BACKGROUND
In 1986 the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
sponsored a report (1) characterizing municipal solid waste (MSW)
in the United States as part of the Subtitle D Phase I study effort.
This 1988 report is an update and revision of Chapter 1 of the 1986
report. Using the methodology developed previously, this report adds
data points for 1985 and 1986.
There are two basic approaches to estimating quantities of
municipal solid waste, which is a heterogeneous and poorly-defined
aggregation of materials. The first method, which is site-specific,
involves weighing, sampling, and sorting a waste stream into its spe-
cific components. Some of these efforts involve a single sampling of
a waste stream; others include characterization of numerous samples
over a long period of time. This method is useful, but wide variations
in local conditions and the range of wastes sampled make it difficult
to apply this method to obtain national average figures.
The second approach to quantifying and characterizing the
municipal solid waste stream—the method used for this report-—uses
a material flows approach. This method is much more general in
application and requires considerable manipulation of the data. 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 (2)(3)(4)(5). The material flows approach
to solid waste estimation was described in some detail in a 1975 EPA
publication (6), and estimates of MSW made using this methodology were
published in Reports to Congress in the mid-1970s (7)(8)(9). Finally,
the Resource Conservation Committee used estimates of MSW generated
using this method in its 1979 Report to the President and Congress
(10)(11)(12). The 1986 characterization study and this update are
extensions of the earlier work.
OVERVIEW
This report provides a summary of estimates of municipal
solid waste disposal for the historical period 1960 to 1986, with
projections to the year 2000. Quantities and composition of MSW
by materials category are presented. Changing trends in the mater-
ials and products disposed, and the amounts disposed per person, are
discussed.
1
FRANKLIN ASSOCIATES. LTD.
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METHODOLOGY
General Description
Briefly described, the methodology used here relies on
published data series documenting historical production (or con-
sumption) of materials and products that enter the municipal waste
stream. U.S. Department of Commerce statistics are used for many
of the data series, with trade association data used in a few
instances. Deductions for converting losses of materials in
manufacturing processes are made.
Imports and exports significantly affect consumption of
many products in the U.S. waste stream, and adjustments are made as
appropriate for each product. An adjustment is al?o made for products
that are destroyed in use (e.g., cigarette paper) or diverted from the
waste stream for long periods of time (e.g., books in libraries). After
all necessary adjustments are made, discards of each product are
calculated.
The discards are then adjusted for materials and energy
recovery. Data on recovery of the various paper grades and aluminum
cans are available from trade associations. Data on recovery of
rubber are available from the U.S. Department of Commerce. (These
three materials account for about 90 percent of current estimated
materials recovery.) Recovery of the remaining materials was esti-
mated by Franklin Associates based on their knowledge of recycling
activities in the United States. Projections of future materials
recovery were made by Franklin Associates assuming no dramatic changes
in current practices.
Energy recovery from municipal solid waste was estimated by
compiling published data from several sources on current facilities,
those under construction, and those in various stages of planning.
Projections beyond the information gained from published sources'
were made by Franklin Associates, again assuming no dramatic changes
in current trends.
Throughput in waste-to-energy facilities is normally less
than design capacities. Where published data on facility throughputs
were not available, Franklin Associates made estimates. When these
calculation® w«re-made for EPA in the 1970s, ash from energy recovery
facilities vai assumed to be landfilled, and an adjustment was made
for this. Incinerator ash is not, however, included in these estimates.
The final result of these calculations, or "Net Discards,"
represents discards that presumably would go to sanitary landfills.
This procedure is illustrated in Figure 1.
2
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Domestic
Production
LOflvcrt my
losses
Discards
Discards
before
after
Recovery
Materials
(teco»er»
1
!
1
F
Materials
Energy
Recovery
Recovery
Net
Discards
Figure 1. Generalized material flows for products in the municipal waste stream.
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The methodology described above develops estimates of nonfood
product wastes iased en "lailable .data series. Other materials in the
municipal waste stream—uod wastes, yard wastes, and some miscellaneous
inorganic wastes—cannot be derived from any published data series.
These estimates are based on sampling data, from as wide a range of
sources as possible. These sources present food and yard wastes as
percentages of the total waste stream, and a composite of sampling
data over a period of years was used, along with the nonfood product
waste data, to estimate the food, yard, and other wastes.
Materials and Products Included in These Estimates
The municipal solid waste estimates provided by the methodology
described above include residential, commercial, and institutional solid
wastes. Since the estimates for each product are based on production
data, the methodology cannot determine whether a corrugated box, for
example, was emptied and discarded in a home, a retail store, a school,
or a factory; all corrugated boxes are counted. For estimates of total
U.S. waste, it can be presumed that all corrugated boxes collected from
any source are recycled, taken to a landfill, incinerated, or otherwise
disposed." For localized estimates of MSW generation, however, it is very
important to know the source of the waste stream. Using the example above,
relatively few corrugated boxes come from residences*, but many corn*-from
stores and factories. A waste stream generated solely from residential
wastes would thus be expected to have far less than the average percentage
of corrugated containers.
The broad nonfood product categories included are:
• Durable goods
e Nondurable goods
• Containers and packaging
The durable goods category includes major appliances, furniture
and furnishings, and rubber tires—categories that often are referred to
as "oversize and bulky" wastes. This category also includes miscellaneous
durable goods such as small appliances.
The nondurable goods category includes many paper products such
as newspapers, office papers, and paper towels. Apparel, footwear, and
miscellaneous nondurables (especially many small plastic products) also
are includoA In this category.
The containers and packaging category includes such items as
cans, bottles, boxes, and wrapping materials made of glass, metals,
paper, plastics, and wood.
To the nonfood product wastes described above are added food
wastes, yard wastes, and miscellaneous inorganic wastes to complete the
estimates of MSW.
4
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The material flows methodology yields estimates of MSW discarded;
it cannot determine whether the MSW was collected. Thus, soft drink cans
are counted regardless^of whether they are disposed in a city trash can,
littered by a rtfadside, or'disposed on-site in a remote rural area.
Materials and Products Not Included in These Estimates
Many wastes that may go to municipal landfills are not estimated
by the material flows methodology. Examples of these wastes include demo-
lition and construction wastes, sludges, automobile bodies, nonhazardous
industrial wastes, incinerator residues, and nonfood products such as
detergents or cosmetics that may be left inside containers.
While the material flows methodology accounts for net imports of
products, it does not account for most packaging of imported goods. Thus
the containers and packaging category is understated by an unknown amount.
Projections
Historical estimates of MSW discards were made through 1986.
Projections to 2000 were made using a combination of trend analysis,
knowledge of the industries involved, and government sources such as
Industrial Outlook.
MATERIALS IN THE MUNICIPAL WASTE STREAM
Historical and projected quantities of materials in the municipal
waste stream are shown in Table 1. Percentage of total discards for each
material is shown in Table 2. In these tables, "Total Wastes Discarded"
is discards after recovery of materials has taken place. The total dis-
cards of materials are adjusted by subtracting MSW processed for energy
recovery to obtain "Net Wastes Discarded." These wastes remain to be
managed by landfilling.
The relative magnitude of the various materials in the municipal
waste stream is illustrated in Figure 2. Comments on each of the materials
in MSW follow below.
Paper and Paperboard
The paper and paperboard category is the largest materials
category, ranging from 24.5 million tons disposed in 1960 to 50 million
tons disposed- in 1986. Discards of paper and paperboard are projected
to be 66 million tons in 2000. Paper's share of municipal waste stream
discards has ranged from 30 percent to 35 percent over the past quarter-
century; the trend has been generally upward and this is projected to
continue. As will be shown later, paper and paperboard would comprise
a much larger share of the waste stream if materials recovery did not
take place.
5
FRANKLIN ASSOCIATES, LTD.
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Table 1
MATERIALS DISCARDED IMTO THE HUW1C1PAL WASTE STREAM. I960 TO 2QOO
(In Billions of cons)
Materials
1960
1965
1970
1975
1980
1901
1982
1983
1984
1985
1986
mo
1995
2000
Paper and Pa|>eiboard
24-5
32.2
36.5
34.4
42.0
43.6
41.4
45.8
49.4
48.7
50.1
54.9
60.2
66.0
Class
6.4
8.5
12.5
13.2
14.2
14.3
11.8
13.3
12.8
12.2
11.8
12.P
12.2
12.0
Met.il s
t
Rrrous
9.9
10.0
12.4
12.0
11.2
11.1
11.0
11.1
11.0
10.4
10.6
11. 1
H. 3k ,
11.3
Aluminum *
0.4
0.5
0.8
1.0
1.4
i.4
1.3
1.5
1.5
1.6
1.7
2.0
2.4
2.7
Other Koncerrous
0.2
0.2
0.3
0.3
0.4
0.4
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3 ,
•
0.4
Plast ics
0.4
1.4
3.0
4.4
7.6
7.8
8.4
9.1
9.6
9.7
10. 3
11.8
13.7
l
15.6
Rubber and Leather
1.7
2.2
3.0
3.7
4.1
4.1
3.8
3-4
3.3
3.4
3.9
3.5
I
3.6
3.8
Text i ies
1.7
1.9
2.0
2.2
2.6
3.4
2.8
2.8
2.8
2.8
2.8
3.0
3.1 '
3.3
Wood
3.0
3.5
4.0
4.4
4.9
4.4
5.0
5.2
5.1
5.4
5.8
5.3
5.7
6.1
Ottwr
0.0
0.0
0.1
0.1
0.1
0.1
0.1
0.1
0.1
0.1
0.1
0.1
0.11
0.1
TOTAL -NONFOOD PRODUCT WASTES
48.2
60.5
74.7
75.6
88.6
90.5
87.8
92.6
95.9
94.5
97.4
104.2
112.5
121.3
Food Wastes
12.2
12.4
12.8
13.4
11.9
12.1
12.0
12.C
12.2
12.3
12.5
12.5
12.4
12.3
Yard Wastes
20.0
21.6
23.2
25.2
2b.5
26.7
27.0
27.5
27.8
28.0
28.3
29.5
31.0
32.0
Hiscellanoous Inorganic Wastes
1.3
1.6
1.8
2.0
2.2
2.3
2.4
2.4
2.4
2.5
2.6
2.8
3.0
3.2
TOTAL HASTES DISCARDED*
81.7
96.1
112.5
116.2
129.2
131.6
129.1
134.5
138.3
137.3
140.8
149.0
158.9
168.8
ENERGY RECOVERY**
0.0
0.2
0.4
0. J
2.7
2.3
3.5
5.0
6.5
7.6
9.6
13.3
22.5
32.0
NET WASTES DISCARDED
81.7
95.9
112.1
115.5
126.5
129.3
125.6
12S.5
131.8
129.7
131.2
135.7
li6.4
136.8
* Wastes discarded after materials recovery has taken place.
•* Municipal solid waste consumed for energy recovery. Does not include residues.
Details nay not add to totals due to rounding.
Source: Franklin Associates, Ltd.
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Table 2
MATERIALS DISCARDED INTO THE MUNICIPAL WASTE STREAM. I960 TO 2000
(In percent of local discards)
Macerials
mo
1965
1970
1975
1980
1981
1982
1983
1984
1985
1986
1990
1995
2000
Paper and PaperboarJ
30.0
33.5
32.4
29.6
32.5
33.1
32.1
34.1
35.7
35.5
35.6
36.8
37.^'
39.1
Class
7.8
8.8
11.1
11.4
11.0
10.9
10.7
9.9
9.3
8.9
8.4
8.3
7.7
7,1
Hetals
Ferrous
Aluaintm
Other Noitterrous
12.1
0.5
0.2
10.4
0.5
0.2
11.0
0.7
0.3
10.3
0.9
0.3
8.7
1.1
0.3
8.4
1.1
0.3
8.5
1.0
0.2
8.3
l.l
0.2
8.0
1.1
0.2
7.6
1.2
0.2
'/. 5
1.2
0.2
7.4
1.3
0.2
7.1
1.5
0.2
6.7
1.6
0.2
Plastics
0.5
1.5
2.7
3.8
5.9
5.9
6.5
6.8
6.9
7.1
7.3
7.9
8.6
9.2
Rubber and Leather
2.1
2.3
2.7
3.2
3.2
3.1
2.9
2.5
2.4
2.5
2.8
2.3
2.3
2.3
Textiles
2.1
2.0
1.8
1.9
2.0
2.6
2.2
2.1
2.0
2.0
2.0
2.0
2.0
2.0
Uood
3.7
3.6
3.6
3.8
3.8
3.3
3.9
3.9
3.7
3.9
4.1
3.6
3.6
3.6
Other
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
TOTAL NONFOOD PRODUCTS
59.0
62.9
6b.4
65.1
68.6
68.8
68.0
68.8
69.3
68.8
69.2
69.9
70.8
71.8
Food Wastes
14.9
12.9
11.4
11.5
9.2
9.2
9.3
8.9
8.8
9.0
8.9
8.4
7.8
7.3
Yard Wastes
24.5
22.5
20.6
21.7
20.5
20. 3
20.9
20.4
20.1
20.4
20.1
19.8
19.5
19.0
Miscellaneous Inorganic Wastes
1.6
1.7
1.6
1.7
1.7
1.7
1.8
1.8
1.7
1.8
1.8
1.9
1.9
1.9
TOTAL WASTES DISCARDED*
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
EMEKGY RECOVEKY**
0.0
0.2
0.4
C.6
2.1
1.7
2.1
3.7
4.7
5.5
6.8
8.9
14.2
19.0
NET WASTES DISCARDED
100.0
99.8
99.6
99.4
97.9
98.3
97.3
96.3
95.3
94.5
93.2
91.1
85.8
81.0
*' Wastes discarded dicer materials recovery has taken .place.
** Municipal solid waste consumed for energy recovery. Does not Include residues.
Details may nul add to totals due to rounding.
Source; Franklin Associates, Ltd.
i
-------
1.8%
~
Paper and Paperboard
El
Glass
¦
Metals
m
Plastics
~
Rubber and Leather,
Textiles, Wood, Other
m
Food Wastes
~
Yard Wastes
¦
Mfse. inorganic Wastes
id
Figure 2. Materials discarded into the municipal waste stream in 1986,
in percent of total.
Glass
— ;1T
Tha tonnage of glass (mostly containers) in the waste stream
increased steadily until the early 1980s, then began to fall slowly.
As a percentage of the waste stream, glass comprised 8 percent in 1960,
rising to over 11 percent in the early 1930s, then falling to 8 percent
in 1986. The percentage of glass in the waste stream is projected to
fall to under 8 percent by 2000.
8
-------
Ferrous Metals
Ferrous metals. total about 10 to 11 million tons in the waste
stream at preseat. The ferrous metals tonnage has remained fairly cons-
tant over the years; thus as a percent of the total, ferrous metals have
decreased, from 12 percent in 1960 to 7.5 percent in 1986. This trend
is projected ro continue.
Aluminum
Aluminum in the municipal waste stream has increased steadily,
but the tonnage of this light metal is still very small—only 1.7 million
tons in 1986. In percentage, aluminum has grown from less than one-half
of one percent in 1960 to just over one percent in 1986. The increasing
trend is expected to continue.
Other Nonferrous Metals
These metals (e.g., copper, brass) comprise a very small
share of the municipal waste stream—less than one percent. Their
tonnage has been about 300,000 tons in recent years, and"this is pro-
jected to increase to 400,000 tons in 2000.
Plastics "
* <
Plastics in the waste stream have increased steadily, from
abouC one-half million tons in 1960 to over 10 million tons in 1986.
This trend will continue, to 15.6 million tons in 2000. Plastics were
less than one percent of the waste streaa in 1960, were over 7 percent
in 1986, and are projected to rise to over 9 percent in 2000.
Rubber and Leather
This category, which includes rubber tires, grew in tonnage
from 1.7 million tons in 1960 to 4.1 million tons in 1981. Tonnage
since then has been in a decline, and any growth is expected to be
very slow. Rubber and leather have ranged from 2.1 percent to 3.2
percent of the waste stream, and the percentage is projected to remain
under 3 percent.
Textiles
Textiles have stayed at a fairly constant 2 percent of the
municipal wast* stream. Tonnage has ranged between 2 million and 3.4
million tons, and this is not projected to change.
Wood
Wood in the municipal waste stream is estimated at 3 million
tons in 1960, increasing to 5 million tons in the early 1980s, and con-
9
FRANKLIN ASSOCIATES, LTD.
-------
tinuing co grow slowly, to 6 million cons in 2000. The percentage of
wood has been afcput-4 parent of the total, or slightly less.
Food Wastes
Disposal of food wastes in the U.S. is poorly documented
compared to other product wastes. Based on previous EFA work, the
increasing use of garbage disposers in homes, and MSW sampling studies
that show food wastes declining as a percent of total, food wastes are
estimated to have increased from 12.2 million tons in 1960 to 13.4
million tons in 1975. Food wastes are estimated to show a slightly
decreasing tonnage thereafter, to 12.3 million cons in 2000.
In terms of percentage of net discards in the waste stream,
food wastes are estimated to have fallen from nearly 15 percent in 1960,
to about 9 percent in 1986, decreasing to about 7 percent in 2000.
Yard Wastes
Like food wastes, yard wastes are poorly documented, and they
vary widely from region to region. Based on previous work and sampling
studies, yard wastes were estimated to be 20 million tons in I960, in-
creasing to 28.3 million tons in 1986, and increasing to 32 million,
tons in 2000. Percentage of total has decreased from about 24 percent
in 1960 to about 20 percent in 1986.
Miscellaneous Inorganic Wastes
This category, mostly stones and dirt, is also poorly docu-
mented. Estimates were kept similar to those that have been made be-
fore (6)(7)(8)(9). The tonnage increases slowly from 1.3 million tons
in 1960 to 2.6 million tons in 1986, with a slow increase thereafter,
to 3.2 million tons. This category represents less than 2 percent of
the municipal waste stream.
PRODUCTS IN THE MUNICIPAL WASTE STREAM
With the exception of food, yard, and miscellaneous inorganic
wasces, the materials in the waste stream are present in manufactured
product®. These product categories are shown in Tables 3 and 4 and
Figure 3. the product wastes are categorized as durable goods, nondur-
able good«4 *ad- containers and packaging. The products are discussed
below.
Durable Goods
Total durables discarded have increased from 9 million cons in
1960 to 19.2 million tons in 1986. They are projected co reach 23 million
10
-------
table 3
tUPPtlCTS DISCED EC
Praducti
Ouraala 3oada
Major «i;Uueu
Furaltura ud furUthlnja
Suaoar Tlrtt
MUetUinaoua 3ur»blat
TOTAl 3L'IWJL£S
Sor.durtbla Good*
Mavipapari
Ioo*» tnd Hifuintt
Ot"i-.c« ?»p«r»
C;=3«reni ?ri.isi.it
Titaua Ivk tat Tatnlt
Ochar Mon»tcka|la« fapat
Clatainj and footvaar
OtMr Hlaeallaaaoua .londuraslaa
TOTAL SOSOUIAIUU
Cmtalaar* and Packtilng
31taa
Imc and Sate Drink 8acdaa
Win* *n4 Liquor lacclaa
Food and Othar Sotclaa V .lata
Total Claaa
Staai
!ur and Safe ^rlnk C*na
food tad Othar Caaa
Othar Jtaal Tack*(la(
Total Staai
Aiuaiaua
Saat and Soft Drltsk Cast
Othar Caaa
fail.tad Cloaura*
Tatal Aluoiaua
fapar tad faotrliaaci
Corrujttad Sanaa
Otftar Papartoard
Papar Pactum
Total Papar
Plaatlea
Plattie Csntainara
Ot.lar Paeltafinf
Total Pitaclea
Wood PackafiBf
Othar Hiacallanaeua Packaimi
TOTAL CSST.UillM
ASS PACUCIX
T3TAi soxrooo raoDUCt mm
Othar 'Jaieaa ,
t-jod Vaacaa
Yard »a»taa
MUealllanaeua tiwrtaalc Uaacaa
TOTAt OWES PASTES
s:;isct asccvrav**
SET -ASTES StXAMStS
(In
1960
1965
1970
1973
1.5
1.3
2.4
2.3
2.2
2.7
3-4
4.1
o.a
1.9
1.6
2.3
4.4
5..
4.3
7.0
9.1
10.1
U.J
15.9
5.3
4. 3
7.1
6.4
1.1
Z. 2
2.3
1.3
i.a
z.o
2.3
* . *
1.4
1.3
i.a
1.1
1.5
2.1
2.1
2.1
4.1
3.a
"3.6
1.3
1.5
1.6
1.7
0.4
0.5
0.7
1.0
13.1
19.2
21.4
20.1
1.3
2.J
3.4
3.9
0.9
1.4
1.9
2.0
3.4
4.2
4.4
4.4
5.9
8.3
11.7
12.3
0.6
o.»
1.6
1.2
3.7
3.4
1.3
3. J
0.2
0.2
0.J
0.2
4.6
4.?
5.3
4.7
0.1
0.1
0.3
0.4
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.9
0.1
0.2
0.2
0.2
0.2
0.3
0.6
0.6
4. 7
7.4
9.7
9.3
3.5
4.1
4.3
3.9
2.7
3.1
3.4
2.9
11.0
14.9
17.4
IS. 3
0.1
0.3
0.9
1.3
0.1
0.7
1.2
1.4
0.1
1.3
2.1
2.a
2.0
2.9
2.1
2.0
0.1
0.1
0.1
0.1
24.0
31.0
39.3
31.9
*4.2
60.5
74.7
73.4
ll'.l
12.4
i:.a
13.4
20.9
21.6
23.2
23.2
1.3
1.6
i.a
2.0
33. J
35.4
37. a
40.6
si.r
?"? » «
:i:.s
lli.Z
-
a.:
3..
3.7
ai.?
95.9
112.1
115.5
1910
2.7
5.1
2.3
1.1
3.1
3.1
2.7
2.4
4.3
J.3
2.4
:a.4
6.9
2.4
4.5
U.2
0.3
2.7
0.2
J.4
0.4
0.0
0.3
0.9
10.0
4.3
3.7
18.1
2.1
2.1
4.2
2.1
0.2
42.1
88.4
11.9
26.3
2.2
.0.5
26.5
:?AL WASTE snuH.
I960 TO
l*»
|0
o
o
1 of s
ons)
1981
1982
1983
1984
1983
1984
1990
1995
2C0Q
i.a
a.a
2.3
2.4
2.5
2.4
2.4
2.3
2.3
5.3
4.0
4.3
6.0
3. a
4.4
4.4
7. 2
3.3
2.3
2.0
1.3
1.3
1.4
1.7
1.4
1.7
1. 7
7.8
a.2
a..
3.7
8.3
8.5
9.4
;o.3
13. J
i3.:
U.9
19.0
13.4
13.0
19.2
20.2
21.7
23.0
a.4
7.4
8.2
a.9
9.0
a.a
9.3
10.2
11.1
J.2
3.3
3.a
4.4
4.4
4.4
5.0
5.3
4.4
3.1
3.1
3.4
4.3
4.a
3.3
5.9
4.4
7.5
2.7
2.8
3.1
3.4
2.3
2-2
3.4
*•3
4.4
2.4
2.4
2.6
2.8
2.8
2.9
3.2
3.5
3.4
4.6
4.3
3.0
*.7
3.1
J.J
3.8
4.4
4.9
2.6
2.4
2.3
1.8
2.7
3.0
2.4
2.8
3.2
2.4
2.3
2.5
2.7
2.6
2.8
J.l
3.1
*.2
29.4
28.2
31.3
33.0
3*.2
33.4
38.5
*2.7
*7.J
6.0
3.a
5.4
4.8
*.7
4.3
*.4
*.J
4.1
2.4
2.2
2.2
2.2
2.2
2.1
2.2
2.2
2.1
4.1
4.1
4.7
4,7
4.3
4.1
4.4
*.S
4.3
13.3
12.8
12.3
11.7
11.1
10.7
11.2
11.0
- 10.1
0.2
0.1
0.1
0.1
0.1
0.1
0.1
0.1
0.1
2.4
I.I
2.5
2.3
2.3
2.4
2.1
2.0
1.1
0.J
0.1
9.2
0.2
0.2
0,2
9.2
» 0.2
0.2
3.2
2.9
2.8
2.8
2.8
2.7
2.6
2.4
2.1
0.5
0.5
0.5.
3.6
0.6
0.7
0.7
0.8
1.3
0.3
0.0
0.3
3.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.1
0.1
0.J
0.J
0.3
0.J
0.J
a.j
0.4
0.4
0.5
o.a
o.a
a.3
0.9
1.0
1.0
1.1
1.*
l.J
U.2
9.9
to. a
u. a
10.9
ii.«
12.3
l*.l
13.8
4.2'
4.3
4.4
4.9
5.0
5.1
4.9
3.0
3.0
3.4
J. 7
3.9
4.1
3.9
3.9
4.8
*.7
4.9
19.1
17.9
19.3
20.8
19.9
20.4
22.0
2 J.l
25.8
2.1
2.0
2.2
2.4
2.6
2.8
2.9
3.4
3.9
2.2
2.2
2.4
2.S
2.7
2.8
3.2
3.8
4.3
4.3
4.2
4. 8
5.0
5. J
5.4
4.2
7.2
a.2
2.1
2.0
2.0
2.0
2.1
2.1
2.0
2.0
2.0
0.2
0.2
0.2
0.2
0.2
0.2
0.2
0.2
0.3
43.0
40.8
42.1
-3-5
42.3
42.7
43.4
48.1
30.7
90.5
a?, a
92,4
93.9
94.5
97.4
104.2
112.3
121.3
12.1
12.0
12.3
L^. "*
12.3
12.5
12.3
12.4
12.3
24.7
27.0
27.3
27.1
28.0
28.3
29.3
31.0
32.0
2.3
2.4
2,.
2.1
2.5
2.4
2.8
3.0
3.2
41.1
41.4
41.9
42.4
42.3
43.4
44.3
46. 4
47.5
131.4
129.1
- «»• • ?
113. ;
13*. 3
1.0.3
149.3
153. 9
143.3
2.3
3.5
J.J
4.5
' .0
9.4
13.3
22.5
32.3
129.3
125.4
129.5
131.3
129.7
131. 2
135.7
134.4
134.3
• -jizmt 4i«cardad aieat -satarlala rtcovarv haa cilt^n slaea.
•" Municipal talis waata csnauaa ior enarjy cacovary. Soaa not includa raaiduaa.
3acai.lt z*y not add to cstala dua ts roundinf.
Sourca: Franklin Aaaociataa, Ltd.
11
-------
Tftbl* 4
Owra&la Gooda
Mi;or AppUaneaa
Funitur* «»d fucmaauna
HuObar Tiraa
KnealUnaoui Durab laa
TOTAL SLK/J'-SS
Noaduraoia Oowda
:;a««iiapata
J03*i altd Matariaaa
OfJua fasara
Co^arsia. !nr.;«|
TUaua ?«ar and Tovdla
Ocrias Nonpac*a»ln$ *»P•*
Cloehlaf and roomu
CtMr aM«r
TOTAL 0 THE* WASTES
TOTAL WASTZS 3!5CAJDtB«
e:.tes-t ucavm*.
:;t" '.'ASTa SSSCAHSfE
29.4
3».0
32- 3
62.9
34.J
66.4
33.3
63.1
32.6
68.6
12.:
63.9
31.6
sa.o
31.3
S3.8
31.5
69.3
30. S
63.8
30.3
69.2
30.3
69.1
30.3
70.8
30.0
H.I
1*.* -
24.3
1.6
12.9
21.J
1,7
11.4
20.6
1.6
11.5
T?
9.2
20.5
1.7
9.2
20.3
1.7
9.3
20.9
L.8
8.9
20.4
1.8
8.8
20.1
9.0
20.4
1.8
8.9
20.1
1.8
8.4
19.8
1.9
7.8
19.5
1.9
7.3
19.0
1.9
41.0
3T.0
33.6
34.9
31-4
31.2
32.1
31.2
30.7
31.2
30.3
30.1
29.2
28.1
:oo.o
100.0
LQO.O
too.o
loo.a
IQC.O
100-0
130.3
100.0
103.3
;oo.o
ioa. a
ioa-0
100.0
-
0> 2
0..
0. a
2.1
1.1
2.T
3.7
5.5
6.1
2,9
U-2
19.0
100.0
99. S
99.6
99.4
9:.9
n.%
9T.3
H.3
9S.3
94,5
93.2
H.l
351
31.0
• Waacaa J neardad aicar aae.rlala raeovary naa caxan plaea.
«• Municipal aolld waaca canauaad (or anargy raeovarv. Ooaa noc tneluda raalduaa.
Dacalls say not add ;a cscala dua co roundmj.
Soutea: Aaaoeiatai. *.:4.
12
-------
1.8%
20.1%.
8.9%
13.6%
25.1%
W TOTAL DURABLES
¦ TOTALNONDURABLES
B TOTAL CONTAINERS AND
PACKAGING
0 FOODWASTES
~ YARD WASTES
¦ MISCELLANEOUS
INORGANIC WASTES
30.3%
Figure 3. Products discarded into the municipal waste stream,. 1986,
in percent of total.
13
-------
tons in 2000. As a percentage of the municipal waste stream, durable
goods have £nc*easad ooly slightly, from 11 percent in I960 to 13.6
percent in 1986; this is projected to be about 14 percent in 2000.
.Discards of major appliances increased from 1.5 million Cons
in 1960 to 2.6 million tons in 1970. Discards have been nearly constant
since then, and are expected to remain so. Appliances have been about 2
percent of total discards for the entire period.
Discards of furniture and furnishings increased from 2.2 ail1ion
tons in 1960 to 6.4 million tons in 1986. They will continue to increase
slowly to 2000. Furniture and furnishings as a percentage of total dis-
cards have increased slowly from about 3 percent in 1960 to 4.5 percent
in 1986. They are projected to comprise 4.7 percent of total discards
in 2000.
Rubber tires are an exception to the usual increase ia product
tonnage discarded. Tire discards were 800,000 tons in 1960, Increased
to 2.3 million tons, then began to decline in 1982. There are two main
reasons for the decline in discards of rubber tires—tires are smaller
than they were in former years, and they last longer. Tires have been
one to 2 percent of the waste stream historically, and this percentage
is expected to be about one percent in 2000.
*
if
The products classified as miscellaneous durables are varied,
and not well documented. Small appliances and consumer electronics are
important constituents of the category. Estimated discard! have increased
from 4.6 million tons in 1960 to 8.5 million tons in 1986. Discards in
2000 are projected to be 10.5 million tons. These goods comprise 6 per-
cent of the waste stream.
Nondurable Goods
The nondurable goods category has grown from 15 million tons in
1960 to 35.4 million tons in 1986. Nondurables are projected to contribute
47.5 million tons to the waste stream in 2000. In terms of percentage of
the waste stream, nondurables were 18.5 percent in 1960, increased to about
25 percent in 1986, and are projected to be about 28 percent in 2000.
Paper products comprise the majority of nondurable goods. The
total paper nondurables were 16.3 percent of the waste stream in 1960,
increaaiaj. to. over 21 percent in 1986. Newspapers are the largest single
nondurable category; they have been over 6 percent of total waste dis-
cards for the entire period. The categories of books, magazines, office
papers, and commercial printing have been increasing in percentage of
total during the 1980s, and are expected to continue to do so. Tissue
and other papers have maintained a more constant percentage in the waste
stream.
14
FRANKLIN ASSOCIATES, LTD.
-------
Clothing and footwear consistently comprise about 2 percent of
the waste streaa. These goods increased from 1.3 million tons in 1960
co 3 million gpn»-ia~1986_, with discards in 2000 projected at 3.2 million
tons.
Miscellaneous nondurables in the waste stream are not well docu-
mented. They are estimated to have increased from 400,000 tons in 1960 to
2.8 million tons.in 1986, with increases to 4.2 million tons in 2000. In
percentage, this category has increased from less than one percent in 1960 to
2 percent in 1986, with a projected increase to 2.5 percent in 2000.
Containers and Packaging
Containers and packaging are a very important part of the
municipal waste stream, increasing from 24 million tons in 1960 to
42.7 million tons in 1986. They are projected to contribute over 50
million tons to total wastes in 2000. Containers and packaging were
29.4 percent of total discards in 1960, 33.5 percent in 1970, and 30.3
percent in 1986. They are projected to be 30 percent of total discards
in 2000. The decreasing percentage is apparently due to increasing
replacement of relatively heavy materials—glass and ferrous metals—with
lighter materials such as aluminum and plastics.*
Each material component of the containers and packaging category
is'discussed briefly below. •
y
Glass. Beer and soft drink bottles, wine and liquor bottles,
and food bottles and jars are the important glass container categories.
Total glass containers increased from 5.9 million tons in 1960 to 13.3
million tons in 1981, then decreased to 10.7 million tons in 1986. In
terms of percentage, glass containers were over 7 percent of total dis-
cards in 1960, increased to almost 11 percent, then dropped to 7.6 per-
cent in 1986.
Tonnage of glass containers in the waste streaa is projected to
be rather flat, at under 11 million tons in 2000. This would be 6.4 per-
cent of total discards.
Steel. Steel containers include beer and soft drink cans, food
cans, and some other miscellaneous packaging. Tonnage was 4.6 million
tons in 1960, increased to 5.3 million tons in 1970, and has dropped ever
since. St««l containers were 5.6 percent of total discards in 1960,
* As products decrease in weight, there may not be a corresponding decrease
in volume. An aluminum soft drink can and one made of steel are the same
size, co cite one example. Relationships between volume and weight of
the components of MSW have not been well established, so far as is known.
15
FRANKLIN ASSOCIATES. LTD.
-------
decreasing to about 2 percent in 1986. They are projected to be just
over on# pescetft o£* total discards in 2000.
Al'1"^ num. Aluminum beer and soft drink cans comprise the
majority of this category of containers. Aluminum container discards
have increased rapidly, from 200,000 tons in 1960 to one million tons
in 1986. Tonnage in 2000 is projected at 1.5 million tons. In spite
of the rapid increase, aluminum represents less than one percent of
total discards because of its light weight.
Paper and Faperboard. This category includes corrugated
containers, bcxboard containers (e.g., cereal boxes), and paper
packaging such as grocery sacks. This is an important waste cate-
gory, increasing from 11 million tons in 1960 to 20.4 million tons
in 1986, with a projected .25.8 million tons in 2000. Paper and paper-
board containers and packaging were 13.5 percent of total discards in
1960, increasing to 14.5 percent in 1986 and 15.3 percent in 2000.
Corrugated containers are the largest single component of
this category, increasing from 4.7 million tons in 1960 to 11.4
millioft tons in 1986. They are projected to reach 15.8 million tons
in 2000. Corrugated boxes were 8 percent of total discards in 1986.
Plastics. Plastic containers and packaging have grown*
dramatically, from a negligible percentage of total discards in "
1960 to 4 percent in 1986. Tonnage was 100,000 tons in 1960 and
5.6 million tons in 1986; it is projected at 8.2 million tons in
2000.
Wood. Wood packaging includes shipping pallets and boxes.
Although not well documented, this category is thought to have re-
mained about constant at 2 million tons. As a percent of total, wood
packaging has decreased from 2.4 percent in 1960 to 1.5 percent in
1986, and is projected to be 1.2 percent in 2000.
Other Miscellaneous Packaging. This category includes small
amounts of textiles, leather, etc., used in specialty packaging. The
category represents a negligible percentage of total discards.
TRENDS IN MUNICIPAL SOLID WASTE
This 40-year data series affords the opportunity to examine
long-tewt trends in municipal solid waste management in the United
States. Tables 1 through 4 of this report provide data on net discards
of MSW—the quantities that must be landfilled. In this section data
on gross discards, materials recovery, and energy recovery are provided.
Trends in per capita discards and organic versus inorganic portions of
the waste stream are also discussed.
16
FRANKLIN ASSOCIATES. LTD.
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The effects of Materials and Energy Recovery on Wastes Discarded
Historical-and projected gross discards of MSW, materials
recovery, energy recovery, and net discards are shown in Tables 5
and 6. Gross discards of MSW have grown from 87.5 million tons in
1960 to 157^7 Billion tons in 1986. Growth to 192.7 million tons
in 2000 is projected. Gross discards on a per capita basis grew
from 2.63 pounds- per person per day in 1960 to 3.58 pounds per
person per day in 1986; in 2000, 3.94 pounds per person per day
are projected.
At the same time, materials recovered for recycling have in-
creased from 5.8 million tons in 1960 to 16.9 million tons in 1986.
Subtraction of this tonnage drops the per capita discards to 3.19
pounds per person per day in 1986, with 3.45 pounds per person per
day projected in 2000.
Incineration of MSW for energy recovery began in the late 1960s,
with significant amounts of MSW beginning to be consumed in the 1980s.
Subtraction of this tonnage lowers the net discards to 131.2 million
tons in 1986, with projected discards of 136.8 million tons in 2000.
On a per-capita basis, the combined effect of materials and energy
recovery causes the pounds per person per day to "flatten out" in
the 1980s and decline in the 1990s,
These observations are illustrated in Figure 4. Gross *
discards (the top line) show a steady overall increase. (It is
worth noting that economic recessions, such as those in 1975 and
1982, cause a decline in the waste generated. There was also a
mild decline in 1985.) Materials recovery and energy recovery
cause the net discards (to be landfilled) to stay more or less
flat after 1986. The estimates of materials and energy recovery
used here are fairly conservative, representing a continuation of
current trends. There is, therefore, the possibility that net
discards to be landfilled can be reduced further if the levels of
recycling and energy recovery are increased.
Discards and Materials Recovery in 1986
A more detailed picture of gross discards, materials recovery,
and.net discards is shown in Table 7 (materials) and Table 8 (products).
Table 7 shows that the tonnage of recovered materials in 1986
was mostlypaper and paperboard, with recovery at 22.6 percent of gross
discards. "If there were no materials recovery, paper and paperboard
would be 41 percent of MSW discarded instead of 35.6 percent after
recovery. Aluminum has a higher percentage recovery (25 percent),
but its tonnage is comparatively very small.
17
FRANKLIN ASSOCIATES, LTD.
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Table 5
CROSS DISCARDS, RECOVERY, AND NET DISCARDS
" OF MUNICIPAL SOLID WASTE, I960 TO 2000
_ _ (in millions of tons)
Discards
After
Gross
Materials
Materials
Energy
Net
Year
Discards
Recovery
Recovery
Recovery
Discards
1960
87.5
5.8
81.7
-
81.7
1965
102.3
6.2
96.1
0.2
95.9
1970-
120.5
8.0
112.5
0.4
112.1
1975
125.3
9.1
116.2
0.7
115.5
1980
142.6
13.4
129.2
2.7
126.5
1981
144.8
13.2
131.6
2.3
129.3
1982
142.0
12.9
129.1
3.5
125.6
1983
148.4
13.9
134.5
5.0
129.5
1984'
153.6
15.3
138.3
6.5
131. S
1985
152.5
15.3
137.3
7.6
129.7
1986
157.7
16.9
140.8
9.6
131.2
1990
167.4
18.4
149.0
13.3
135.7
1995
180.1
21.2
158.9
22.5
136.4
2000
192.7
23.9
168.8
32.0
136.8
Details may not add to totals due to rounding.
Source: Franklin Associates, Ltd.
18
-------
Table 6
~GROSS DISCARDS, RECOVERY, AM) NET DISCARDS
""" OF MUNICIPAL SOLID WASTE, I960 TO 2000
(In pounds per person per day)
Discards
After
Gross
Materials
Materials
Energy
Net
Year
Discards
Recovery
Recovery
Recovery
Discards
I960
2.65
0.18
2.48
-
2.48
1965
2.88
0.17
2.71
0.01
2.70
1970
3.22
0.21
3.01
0.01
3.00
1975
3.18
0.23
2.95
0.02
2.93
1980
- 3.43
0.32
3.11
0.06
3.04
1981
3.45
0.31
3.13
0.05
3.08
1982
3.35
0.30
3.04
0.08
2.96
1983
3.47
0.32
3.14
0.12
3.03
1984
3.56
0.35
3.20
0.15
3.05
1985
3.49
0.35
3.14
0.17
2.97
1986
3.58
0.39
3.19
0.22
2.98
1990
3.67
0.40
3.27
0.29
2.98
1995
3.80
0.45
3.35
0.47
2.88
2000
3.94
0.49
3.45
0.65
2.80
Details may not add to totals due to rounding.
Source: Franklin Associates, Ltd.
19
FRANKLIN ASSOCIATES, LTD.
-------
200-
180-
160 -
140 -
§ 120-
c 100-
o
"Z 80-i
x 60-
40-
f::s»
wfssss;
20-
MI
0 •
1960
i i" ¦ r' r
1970
TT
1975
1985
r'"f-"iri"r"
1995
2000
Figure 4. Gross discards, recovery, and net discards of municipal solid
waste, 1960 to 2000.
20
-------
Table 7
antes DISCAKUS, RECOVERY, AND NET DISCARDS OF MATERIALS '
~ IN MUNICIPAL SOLID WASTE, 1986
(In millions of tons and percent)
Gross
Discards
Materials
Recovery
Net Discards**
% of
% of
Gross
Gross
11 of Net
Materials
Quantity
Discards
Quantity
Discards
Quantity
Discards
Paper and Paperboard
64.7
41.0
14.6
22.6
50.1
35.6
Glass
12.9
8.2
1.1
8.5
11.8
8.4
Ferrous Metals
11.0
7.0
0.4
3.6
10.6
7.5
Aluminum
2.4
1.5
0.6
25.0
1.7
1.2
Other Nonferrous
Metals
0.3
0.2
Neg.
0.0
0.3
0.2
Plastics
10.3
6.5
0.1
1.0
10.3
7.3
Rubber and Leather
4.0
2.5
0.1
2.5
3.9
2.8
Textiles
2.8
1.8
Neg.
0.0
2.8
2.0
Wood
5.8
3.7
Neg.
0.0
5.8
4.1
Other
0.1
0.1
-
0.0
0.1
0.1
TOTAL NONFOOD
PRODUCT WASTES
114.3
72.5
17.0
14.9
97.4
69.2
Food Wastes*
12.5
7.9
Neg.
0.0
12.5
8.9
Yard Wastes*
28.3
17.9
Neg.
0.0
28.3
20.1
Miscellaneous
Inorganic Wastes
2.6
1.6
Neg.
0.0
2.6
1.8
TOTAL WASTES
157.7
100.0
17.0
10.8
140.8
100.0
* Some of these wastes are composted or otherwise recovered, but this
recovery is not estimated here.
** Discards after materials recovery and before energy recovery.
Neg. - Less than 100,000 tons.
Details may not add to totals due to rounding.
Sources franklin Associates, Ltd.
21
-------
Table 8
nT*:fff"*¦ • rmvMtt. AMD NET DISCARDS Or PROOUCTS IN MUNICIPAL sOLin ,o»S
™ms (In ailllona of tons and percent)
Produces
Croat Discards
"" " I of
Cross
Materials Recovery
X of
Cross
Net Discards**
Z at ?f«t
DURABLE COODS
2.8
0.2
7.1
1.8
Major Appliances
1.8
2.6
Rubber Tires
1.8
1.1*
0.1
5.6
1.7
1.2
Other Durables
14.9
9.4
0.1
0.7
14.9
10.6
TOTAL DURABLES
19.5
12.4
0.4
2.1
19.1
13.6
NONDURABLE COODS
Newspapers
12.6
8.0
3.8
30.2
8.8
6.3
Books and Magazines
4.8
3.0
0.4
8.3
4.4
3.1
Office Papers
6.1
3.9
I. 1
18.0
5.0
3.6
Commercial Printing
3. 7
2.3
0.5
13.5
3.2
2.3
Other Konpackaglng Paper
8.5
5.4
0.2
2.4
8. 3
5.9
Othar Miscellaneous nondurable*
3.8
3.7
0.0
0.0
5.8
4.1
TOTAL NOMXffiASLS COOOS
41.3
26.3
6.0
14.5
35.5
25.2
CONTAINERS AMD PACKAGING
Class Containers
Bear 4 Sole Drink
5.5
3.5
1.1
20.0
4.4
3.1
Other Class Containers
6. J
4.0
Nag.
0.0
6. J
4.5
Subtotal - Class
11.8
7.5
1.1
9.3
10.7
7.6
Steel Containers
Baer k Sole Drink Cao»
0.1
0.1
0.0
0.0
0.1
O.i
rood Cans
1.8
1.1
0.1
5.6
1.7
1.2
Ochac Steal. Packaging
0.9
0.6
Nag.
0.0
0.9
- 0.6
Subeocat - Steel
2.8
1.8
0.1
3.6
2.7
1.9
Alminiat
Baer and Soft Drink Cana
1.3
0.8
0.6
46.2
0.7
0.5
Other Aluaiinua Packaging
0.4
0.3
Neg,
0.0
0.4
0.3
Subtotal - Aluaiiua
1.7
1.1
0.5
35.3
1.0
0.7
Paper and Paperboard
Corrugated Container*
19.4
12.3
8,0
41.2
11.4
8.1
Other Paperboard
5.4
3.4
0.3
5.6
5.1
3.6
Paper Packaging
4.2
2.7
0.3
7.1
3.9
2.8
Subtotal - Paper
29.0
18.4
8.6
29.7
20.4
14.5
Plastics
Plastic Containers
2.9
1.8
0.1
3.4
2.8
2.0
Othar Plastic Packaging
2.8
1.8
Meg.
0.0
2.8
2.0
Subtotal - Plastics
5.7
3.6
0.1
1.8
5.6.
4.0
Wood Packaging
2.1
1.3
Neg.
0.0
2.1
1.5
Othar Miscellaneous Packaging
0.2
0.1
Neg.
0.0
0.2
0.1
TOTAL COHXAUiltS AUD PACXACtNC
53.3
33.8
10.6
19.9
42.7
30.3
TOTAL NONFOOD MHWUI HASTE
114.3
72.5
17.0
14.9
97.4
69.2
OTHER WASTES*-
Food Vaicat
12.5
7.9
Neg.
0.0
12.5
8.9
Yard Wastes
28.3
17.9
Neg.
0.0
28.3
20.1
Miscellaneous Inorganic Wastes
2.6
1.6
Nag.
0.0
2.6
1.8
GRAND TOTAL
157.7
100.0
17.0
10.8
140.8
100.0
* Sone of these wastes arc conposctd or otherwise recovered, but this ts not estimated hare.
** Discards after aaterlals recovery and before energy recovery.
Nag. » Leas Chan 100,000 cons.
Details mmy noe add to totals due to rounding.
Source: Franklin Associates, Ltd.
22
-------
Corrugated containers represent the largest tonnage of products
recovered—8 million tons, or 41 percent of gross discards (Table 8). The
second highest recovered tonnage in 1986 was newspapers, at 3.8 million
tons recovered, or 30 percent of gross discards. Recovery of the two paper
products—corrugated containers and newspapers—makes up almost 70 percent
of che total estimated materials recovery in 1986.
Discards by Individuals
Per capita gross discards, materials recovery, and net discards
were shown in Table 6. Net discards by individuals, broken down by ma-
terials category, are shown in Table 9. Only paper and paperboard and
plastics have exhibited consistent growth in per capita discards. (Paper
and paperboard do, however, drop in recession years.) Per capita net
discards of the other materials in the waste stream have been rather flat
or even falling slowly. This demonstrates the shift in materials use from
relatively heavy metals and glass to relatively light paper and plastics.
Organics/Inorganics
The mix of organic and inorganic materials in the municipal
waste stream is of interest to persons dealing with waste disposal,
whether by sanitary landfill or by incineration with energy recovery.
In the former case, organics decompose into residue and gaser. Ia the
latter instance, the organics are the fuel for combustion, while the
inorganics become residue to be disposed.
Table 10 and Figure 6 illustrate the percentage breakdown of
wastes discarded after materials recovery has taken place, but before
energy recovery. Hi ere has been an uneven but noticeable trend toward
an increased percentage of organic materials in the waste stream, from
77.8 percent in 1960 to 82.5 percent in 2000. This can be attributed
to the increasing percentages of paper and plastics in the waste stream,
and is occurring in spite of decreasing percentages of food and yard
wastes in discards.
Paper has the highest tonnage of any organic constituent in the
waste stream. Yard wastes and food wastes also contribute large tonnages.
Plastics come next in order of tonnage contributed, with rubber, leather,
textiles, and wood also in this category.
HOW THIS DAXA SHIES DIFFERS FROM THE PREVIOUS ESTIMATES
"Mm estimates of product wastes have changed very little since
the last report was published in 1986. Some minor changes have been made
to reflect revisions in data series, but these generally do not show up
when the tonnage is rounded to millions.
23
FRANKLIN ASSOCIATES, LTD.
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Table 9
DISCARDS OF MUNICIPAL SOUP WASTE BY INDIVIDUALS, I960 TO 2000
(In pounds per person per day)
N
Materials
1960
1965
1970
1975
1980
1981
1982
1983
1984
1985
1986
199£
I9&'
2000
Paper and Paperboard
0.74
0.91
0.98
0.87
1.01
1.04
0.98
1.07
1.14
1.12
1.14
1.20
1.27i
1. 35
Class
0.19
0.24
0.33
0.33
0.34
0.34
0.33
0.31
0. 30
0.28
0.27
0.27
0.2i(
0.25
Metals
0.32
0.30
0.36
0.34
0.31
0.31
0.30
0.30
0.30
0.28
0.29
0.29
0.30
t
0.29
Plastics
0.01
0.04
0,08
0.11
0.18
0.19
0.20
0.21
0.22
0.22
0.23
0.26
0.29
0.32
Rubber and Leather
0.05
0.06
O.OS
0.09
0.10
0.10
0.09
0.08
o.oa
0.08
0.09
0.08
0.08
t
0.08
Text iles
o.os
0.05
0.05
0.06
0.06
0.08
0.07
0.07
0.06
0.06
0.06
0.07
0.07
0.07
Mood
0.09
0.10
0.11
0.11
0.12
0.10
0.12
0.12
0.12
0.12
0.13
0.12
0.12
0.12
Other
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
TOTAL NONFt. . PRODUCTS
1.46
1.71
2.00
1.92
2.13
2.16
2.07
2.16
2.22
2.16
2.21
2.29
2.37
2.48
Food Uastes
0.37
0.35
0.34
0.34
0.29
0.29
0.28
0.28
0.28
0.28
0.28
0. 27
0.26
0.25
Yard Wastes
0.61
0.61
0.62
0.64
0.64
0.64
0.64
0.64
0.64
0.64
0.64
0.65
0.65
0.65
Miscellaneous Inorganics Wastes
0.04
0.05
0.05
0.05
0.05
0.05
0.05
0.06
0.06
0.06
0.06
0.06
0.06
0.07
TOTAL WASTES DISCARDED*
2.48
2.71
3.01
2.95
3.11
3.13
3.04
* 3.14
3.20
3.14
3.19
3.27
3.35
3.45
ENERGY RECOVERY**
0.00
0.01
0.01
0.02
0.06
0.05
0.08
0.12
0.15
0.17
0.22
0.29
0.47
0.65
NET WASTES DISCARDED
2.48
2.70
3.00
2.93
3.04
3.01
2.96
3.03
3.05
2.97
2,98
2.98
2.88
2.80
* Wastes discarded after materials recovery has taken place.
** Municipal solid waste consumed for energy recovery. Does not. Include residues*
Details nay not add to totals due to rounding. *•
Source: Franklin Associates, Ltd.
-------
•- NET DISCARDS O- GROSS DISCARDS
4,50
4.00
3.50
3-00
Q.O*®
0-0*2*° «.•*
2.50
o;o;o;o^o;^fc^#
.o.0.o-Q-o*Q
_ O.o.0-0-0*°*°
,0.0-0*0*° °
2.00
! J0 : : ;
1.00 - ;
0.50 1 I I I I I I I I I I I I 1 I I I 1 » I II I I I I I 1 I I I 1 I I I I 1 I 1 I 1
1960 1965 1970 1975 1980 1985 1990 1995 2000
Figure 3. Gross discards and net
recovery) of municipal
per day, 1960 to 2000.
discards (after materials and energy
solid waste, in pounds per person
25
-------
Table 10
COMPOSITION OF MUNICIPAL SOLID WASTE DISCARDS*
-By""0RGANIC AND INORGANIC FRACTIONS, 1960 TO 2000
; (In percent: of cotal net discards)
Year
Organics
Inorganics
1960
77.8
22.3
1965
78.3
21.7
1970
75.2
24.8
1975
75.5
24.5
1980
77.1
22.9
1981
77.5
22.5
1982
77.8
22.2
1983
78.7
21.3
1984
79.6
20.4
1985
80.4
19.6
1986
80.8
19.2
1990
80.8
19.2
1995
81.7
18.3
2000
82.5
17.5
* Discards after materials recovery has taken place, and before
energy recovery.
Source: Franklin Associates, Ltd.
26
-------
H CflGWS ¦ INORGANICS
1 r
1960 1965 1970 1975 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1988 1990 1995 2000
Figure 6. Composition of municipal solid waste by organic and inorganic
fractions, 1960 to 2000.
27
-------
Estimates of food and yard wastes have, however, been revised
again. Theam estimate** are based on sampling data and are thus much
more difficult to determine accurately. The 1986 estimates which also
were based on sampling data, did not allow for moisture lost from food
and yard wastes when mixed with other wastes, which would occur before
sampling took-place. Since the estimates of product wastes are made on
an "as-generated" basis, the food and yard wastes should have been ad-
justed upward so that they also were on an "as-generated" basis tm.
has been done for the revised data series in this report. *
A comparison of the two estimates for 1984 is shown in n
The overall effect for 1984 is to Increase the veijht oY?°™l net dis-
similarf P*rCenC' £°r the other years in the series
28
-------
Table 11
rflMFARISON OF 1984 DISCARDS ESTIMATED IN 1986 AND 1988
(In millions of cons and percent)
1986
1988
%
Materials
Estimate
Estimate
Difference
Paper and Paperboard
49.4
49.4
Glass
12.9
12.8
-1.0
Metals
Ferrous
11.0
11.0
—
Aluminum
1.5
1.5
—
Other Nonferrous
0.3
0.3
-
Plastics
9.6
9.6
-
Rubber and Leather
3.3
3.3
-
Textiles
2.8
2.8
-
Wood
5.1
5.1
-
TOTAL NONFOOD PRODUCT WASTE
96.0
95.9
-
Food Wastes .
10.8
12.2
+13.0
Yard, Wastes
23.3
27.8
+16.8
Miscellaneous Inorganic Wastes
2.4
2.4
-
TOTAL WASTES DISCARDED*
133.0
138.3
* +4.0
* Waste discarded after materials recovery, and before energy recovery.
Source: Franklin Associates, Ltd.
29
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REFERENCES
1. Franklin Associates, Ltd. Characterization of Municipal Solid Waste
in the tJnited States, 1960 to 2000. U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency. July 11, 1986.
2. 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.
3. Franklin, W.E., and A. Darnay. The Role of Nonpackaging Paper in
Solid Waste Management, 1966 to 1976. Public Health Service Publi-
cation No. 2040. U.S. Government Printing Office. 1971.
4. Darnay, A., aid W.E. Franklin. Salvage Markets for Materials in
Solid Wastes. Environmental Protection Publication SW~29c. U.S.
Government Printing Office. 1972.
5. Franklin, W.E., et al. Base Line Forecasts of Resource Recovery
1972 to 1990. Midwest Research Institute for the U.S. Environ-
mental Protection Agency. March 1975.
* y
6. Smith, F.L., Jr. A Solid Waste Estimation Procedure: Material
Flows Approach. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (SW-147).
May 1975.
7. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Solid Waste Manage-
ment Programs. Second Report to Congress: Resource Recovery and
Source Reduction (SW-122). 1974.
8. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Solid Waste Management
Programs. Third Report to Congress: Resource Recovery and Source
Reduction (SW-161). 1975.
9. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Solid Waste. Fourth
Report to Congress: Resource Recovery and Waste Reduction (SW-600).
1977.
10. FraakZls Associates, Ltd. Post-consumer Solid Waste and Resource
Reconity Baseline. Prepared for the Resource Conservation Com-
miCCM*. April 6, 1979.
11. Franklin Associates, Ltd. Post-consumer Solid Waste and Resource
Recovery Baseline: Working Papers. Prepared for the Resource
Conservation Committee. May 16, 1979.
30
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12.
oa*n„rcm Conservation Committee. Choices for Conservation;
ch. r~.7d.nt and Congress ISU-J19). July 1,70.
Final
13. U.S. Bureau of the Census, Current Population g0?^r- „c ,
of the Population of the United States, by Age, Se^Tlnd Race: *1980
to 1986."- Series P-25, No. 1000. Issued February 1987 "Proiectlons
of the Population of the United States, by Age, Sex, and Ra4-
N0-952' Issued ^ 1984-
i*
31
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