United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
Municipal Solid Waste Generation, Recycling,
and Disposal in the United States:
Facts and Figures for 2007
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has collected and reported data on
the generation and disposal of waste in the United States for more than 30 years. We
use this information to measure the success of waste reduction and recycling pro-
grams across the country. This fact sheet summarizes information contained in our full
report, Municipal Solid Waste in the United States: 2007 Facts and Figures.
In 2007, Americans generated about 254 million tons of trash and recycled and com-
posted 85 million tons of this material, equivalent to a 33.4 percent recycling rate (see
Figure 1 and Figure 2). On average, we recycled and composted 1.5 pounds of our
individual waste generation of 4.6 pounds per person per day.
300
Figure 1. MSW Generation Rates, 1960 to 2007
t
1960
1970 1980
Total MSW generation
1990 2000 2007
|~ Per capita generation
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Figure 2. MSW Recycling Rates, 1960 to 2007
o
c
o
J.
crt
S3
o
1960
1965
1970
1975
Total MSW recycling
Percent recycling
50%
40% -S
30%
crt
'o
1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 20052007
Trends in Municipal Solid Waste
in 2007
Our trash, or municipal solid waste (MSW), is made up
of the things we commonly use and then throw away.
These materials range from packaging, food scraps,
and grass clippings, to old sofas, computers, tires, and
refrigerators. MSW does not include industrial, hazard-
ous, or construction waste.
In 2007, Americans recovered 63 million tons (exclud-
ing composting) through recycling. This is 1.9 million
tons more than in 2006. Composting recovered almost
22 million tons of waste. We combusted 32 million tons
for energy recovery (about 13 percent). Subtracting out
what we recycled and composted, we combusted (with
energy recovery) or discarded just over 3 pounds per
person per day.
In 2007, paper and paperboard recovery rose to over
54 percent (45 million tons), and 64 percent of yard
trimmings were recovered (see Figure 3). Metals were
recycled at a rate of almost 35 percent (see Table 1).
By recycling 7 million tons of metals (which includes
aluminum, steel, and mixed metals), we eliminated
greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions totaling close to 25 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent
(MMTCO E). This is equivalent to removing more than 4.5 million cars from the road for one year.*
About 137 million tons of MSW (54 percent) was discarded in landfills in 2007 (see Figure 4).
Over the last few decades,
the generation, recycling,
composting, and disposal
of MSW have changed
substantially. While solid
waste generation has increased, from
3.66 to 4.62 pounds per person per day
between 1980 and 2007, the recycling
rate has also increased—from less than
10 percent of MSW generated in 1980 to
over 33 percent in 2007. Disposal of waste
to a landfill has decreased from 89 percent
of the amount generated in 1980 to
54 percent of MSW in 2007.
1 All benefit calculations in this fact sheet are derived from EPA's WAste Reduction Model (WARM).
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Figure 3. Recycling Rates of Selected Products, 2007
Auto Steel Yard Paper & Aluminum Beer Plastic
Batteries Cans Trimmings Paperboard & Soda Cans Soft
Drink
Bottles
Tires Glass Plastic
Containers HOPE Milk
and Water
Bottles
Figure 4. Management of MSW in the United States, 2007
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Sources of MSW
We estimated residential waste (including
waste from apartment houses) to be 55 to
65 percent of total MSW generation. Waste
from commercial and institutional locations,
such as schools, hospitals, and businesses,
amounted to 35 to 45 percent.
Nationally, we recycled and composted 85 million
tons of municipal solid waste. This provides an annual
benefit of 193 million metric tons of carbon dioxide
equivalent emissions reduced, comparable to the
annual GHG emissions from more than 35 million
passenger vehicles.
Analyzing MSW
We analyze waste by material, such as paper
and paperboard, yard trimmings, food scraps, and plastics, and by major product categories, which include
durable goods (such as furniture), nondurable goods (such as paper or clothing), containers and packaging
(such as milk cartons and plastic wrap), and other materials (such as food scraps).
Materials in MSW
Total MSW generation in 2007 was 254 million tons. Organic materials continue to be the largest component
of MSW. Paper and paperboard account for 33 percent, with yard trimmings and food scraps accounting for 25
percent. Plastics comprise 12 percent; metals make up 8 percent; and rubber, leather, and textiles account for
almost 8 percent. Wood follows at around 6 percent and glass at 5 percent. Other miscellaneous wastes make
up approximately 3 percent of the MSW generated in 2007 (see Figure 5).
Figure 5. Total MSW Generation (by material), 2007
254 Million Tons (before recycling)
Other
3.2%
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Table 1. Generation and Recovery of Materials in MSW, 2007*
(in millons of tons and percent of generation of each material)
Material
Paper and paperboard
Glass
Metals
Steel
Aluminum
Other nonferrous metalst
Total metals
Plastics
Rubber and leather
Textiles
Wood
Other materials
Total materials in products
Other wastes
Food, other*
Yard trimmings
Miscellaneous inorganic wastes
Total other wastes
Total municipal solid waste
Weight Generated
83.0
13.6
15.6
3.35
1.76
20.8
30.7
7.48
11.9
14.2
4.43
186.1
31.7
32.6
3.75
68.0
254.1
Weight Recovered
45.2
3.22
5.28
0.73
1.22
7.23
2.09
1.10
1.90
1.32
1.16
63.3
0.81
20.9
Negligible
21.7
85.0
Recovery as Percent
of Generation
54.5%
23.7%
33.8%
21.8%
69.3%
34.8%
6.8%
14.7%
1 5.9%
9.3%
26.2%
34.0%
2.6%
64.1%
Negligible
31.9%
33.4%
* Includes waste from residential, commercial, and institutional sources.
t Includes lead from lead-acid batteries.
$ Includes recovery of other MSW organics for composting.
Details might not add to totals due to rounding.
Negligible = Less than 5,000 tons or 0.05 percent.
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Significant amounts of materiai from each category were
recycfed or composted in 2007. The highest recovery rates
were achieved in yard trimmings, paper and paperboard,
and metafs. About 21 miffion tons of yard trimmings were
composted, representing a five-fofd increase since 1990. We
recycfed more than haff the paper and paperboard we gener-
ated. Recycfing these organic materiafs afone kept 26 percent
of MSW out of fandfiffs and combustion facifities. Recycfing
amounts and rates (recovery as a percent of generation) for
aff materiafs in 2007 are fisted in Tabfe 1.
Recycling and composting 85 million
tons of MSW saved 1.3 quadrillion Btu
of energy, the equivalent
of more than 10.7 billion
gallons of gasoline.
Products in MSW
The breakdown, by weight, of waste generated in 2007 by product category is shown in Figure 6. Con-
tainers and packaging made up the fargest portion of MSW generated: 31 percent, or 78 miffion tons.
The second fargest portion came from nondurabfe goods, which amounted to about 25 percent, or 62
miffion tons. Yard trimmings make up the third fargest segment, accounting for 13 percent, or afmost
33 miffion tons.
The generation and recovery of materiafs in the product categories, by weight and recovery as a percent of
generation, are shown in Tabfe 2. This tabfe shows that the recovery of containers and packaging was the
highest of the four product categories, with about 43 percent of the generated materiafs recycfed. Steef,
paper products, and afuminum were the most recycfed materiafs by percentage in this category. More
than 64 percent of steef packaging (mostfy cans) was recycfed. Sixty-two percent of paper and paperboard
containers and packaging was recycfed, incfuding 74 percent of aff corrugated boxes. The recycfing rate for
afuminum packaging was 39 percent, incfuding afmost 49 percent of afuminum beverage cans.
Figure 6. Total MSW Generation (by category), 2007
254 million tons (before recycling)
Containers and Packaging
30.9%
Food Scraps
12.5%
Yard Trimmings
12.8%
Nondurable Goods
24.5%
Durable Goods
17.9%
Other Wastes
1.5%
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Table 2. Generation and Recovery of Products in MSW, 2007* (in millons of tons and percent of generation of each product)
Products
Durable goods
Steel
Aluminum
Other non-ferrous 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
Glass
Paper and paperboard
Plastics
Wood
Other materials
Total containers and packaging
Other wastes
Food, other*
Yard trimmings
Miscellaneous inorganic wastes
Total other wastes
Total municipal solid waste
Weight Generated
13.0
1.26
1.76
2.11
10.4
6.48
5.63
3.33
1.41
45.4
43.1
6.68
0.97
8.34
3.15
62.2
2.68
1.87
11.5
39.9
13.6
8.54
0.31
78.4
31.7
32.6
3.75
68.0
254.1
Weight Recovered
3.55
Negligible
1.22
Negligible
0.50
1.10
Negligible
0.46
1.16
7.99
20.3
Negligible
Negligible
1.44
Negligible
21.8
1.73
0.73
3.22
24.9
1.59
1.32
Negligible
33.5
0.81
20.9
Negligible
21.7
85.0
Recovery as Percent of
Generation
27.3%
Negligible
69.3%
Negligible
4.8%
17.0%
Negligible
13.8%
82.3%
17.6%
47.1%
Negligible
Negligible
17.3%
Negligible
35.0%
64.6%
39.0%
28.1%
62.4%
11.7%
15.5%
Negligible
42.7%
2.6%
64.1%
Negligible
31.9%
33.4%
Includes waste from residential, commercial, and institutional sources.
Includes lead from lead-acid batteries.
Includes recovery of other MSW organics for composting.
Details might not add to totals due to rounding.
Negligible = less than 5,000 tons or 0.05 percent.
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Table 3. Generation, Materials Recovery, Composting, Combustion With Energy Recovery, and Discards of MSW,
1960 to 2007 (in million of tons)
Activity
Generation
Recovery for
recycling
Recovery for
composting*
Total materials
recovery
Combustion
with energy
recoveryt
Discards to
landfill, other
disposal*
1960
88.1
5.6
Negligible
5.6
0.0
82.5
1970
121.1
8.0
Negligible
8.0
0.4
112.7
1980
151.6
14.5
Negligible
14.5
2.7
134.4
1990
205.2
29.0
4.2
33.2
29.7
142.3
2000
239.1
52.9
16.5
69.4
33.7
136.0
2004
249.8
57.5
20.5
78.0
31.5
140.3
2005
250.4
58.8
20.6
79.4
31.6
139.4
2006
254.2
61.4
20.8
82.2
31.9
140.1
2007
254.1
63.3
21.7
85.0
31.9
137.2
* Composting of yard trimmings, food scraps, and other MSW organic material. Does not include backyard composting.
t Includes combustion of MSW in mass burn or refuse-derived fuel form, and combustion with energy recovery of source separated materials in MSW (e.g., wood
pallets, tire-derived fuel).
$ Discards after recovery minus combustion with energy recovery. Discards include combustion without energy recovery.
Details might not add to totals due to rounding.
Every ton of mixed paper recycled
can save the energy
equivalent of 185 gallons
of gasoline.
Around 28 percent of glass containers were recycled,
while about 16 percent of wood packaging—mostly
wood pallets—was recovered. Almost 12 percent of plas-
tic containers and packaging was recycled, mostly from
soft drink, milk, and water bottles. Plastic bottles were
the most recycled plastic products. PET soft drink and
water bottles were recovered at 37 percent. Recovery of
HDPE milk and water bottles was estimated at about
28 percent (see the full 2007 MSW report).
Overall recovery of nondurable goods was 35 percent in 2007. Nondurable goods generally last less than
three years. Paper products, such as newspapers and high-grade office papers were the most recycled
nondurable goods. Newspapers alone were recycled at a rate of nearly 78 percent. Approximately 72 per-
cent of high-grade office papers and 40 percent of magazines were recovered. Forty percent of unwanted
mail, 26 percent of books, and 20 percent of telephone directories were recovered for recycling in 2007
(see the full MSW report). Clothing and other textile products are included in the nondurable goods cat-
egory. These products were recovered for recycling at a rate of 17 percent.
Overall, almost 18 percent of durable goods were recovered in 2007. Nonferrous metals other than alu-
minum had one of the highest recovery rates—around 69 percent—due to the high rate of lead recovery
from lead-acid batteries. With a 99 percent recycling rate, lead-acid batteries continue to be one of the
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most recovered products. Recovery of steel in all dura-
ble goods was 27 percent, with high rates of recovery
from appliances and other miscellaneous items.
Measured by percentage of generation, products with
the highest recovery rates in 2007 were lead-acid
batteries (99 percent), newspapers (78 percent), cor-
rugated boxes (74 percent), office-type papers (72
percent), major appliances (67 percent), steel packag-
ing (65 percent), yard trimmings (64 percent), com-
mercial printing papers (57 percent), aluminum cans
(49 percent), standard mail (40 percent), magazines
(40 percent), paper bags and sacks (37 percent), and
PET soft drink bottles (37 percent) (see full 2007
MSW report).
Recycling and Composting
Collection Programs**
• Approximately 8,660 curbside recycling
programs exist nationwide, down from
8,875 in 2002.
• About 3,510 community composting
programs are operational, an increase
from 3,227 in 2002.
Table 4. Generation, Materials Recovery, Composting, Combustion With Energy Recovery,
and Discards of MSW, 1960 to 2007 (in pounds per person per day)
Activity
Generation
Recovery for
recycling
1960
1970
2.68 3.25
0.17
0.22
Recovery for Negligible Negligible
composting*
Total Materials
Recovery
Combustion
with energy
recoveryt
Discards to
landfill, other
disposal*
Population
(millions)
0.17
0.00
2.51
179.979
0.22
0.01
3.02
203.984
1980
1990
2000
2004
2005
3.66 4.50 4.65 4.66 4.63
0.35
Negligible
0.35
0.07
3.24
227.255
0.64
0.09
0.73
0.65
3.12
249.907
1.03
0.32
1.35
0.66
2.64
281.422
1.07
0.38
1.45
0.59
2.62
293.660
1.09
0.38
1.47
0.58
2.58
296.410
2006
4.65
1.12
0.38
1.50
0.58
2.57
299.398
2007
4.62
1.15
0.39
1.54
0.58
2.50
301.621
* Composting of yard trimmings, food scraps, and other MSW organic material. Does not include backyard composting.
t Includes combustion of MSW in mass burn or refuse-derived fuel form, and combustion with energy recovery of source separated materials in MSW (e.g., wood
pallets, tire-derived fuel).
$ Discards after recovery minus combustion with energy recovery. Discards include combustion without energy recovery.
Details might not add to totals due to rounding.
** Source: For 2002 data: fi/oCyc/e 2006.
For 2007 data: EPA, Municipal Solid Waste in the United States: 2007 Facts and Figures.
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Figure 7. Number of Landfills in the United States, 1988 to 2007
8,000
7,000
6,000
5,000
4,000
3,000
2,000
1,000
0
7,924
7,379
6,326
"i 817
5,386
4,482
3,558
3,197 3i091
2,514
2,314 2,216
1,9671.858. -,„
1,754 1,7541,754
I1'-"' I,/D4 I,/D4 1,/D
data not
available
1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007
Disposing of MSW
While the number of U.S. landfills has steadily
declined over the years, the average landfill size has
increased. At the national level, landfill capacity
appears to be sufficient, although it is limited in some
areas.
• Since 1990, the total amount of MSW going to
landfills dropped by about 5 million tons, from 142.3
million to 137.2 million tons in 2007 (see Table 3).
Recycling just 1 ton of aluminum cans
conserves more than 207 million Btu,
the equivalent of 36
barrels of oil, or 1,665
gallons of gasoline.
• The net per capita discard rate (after recycling,
composting, and combustion for energy recovery) was
2.50 pounds per person per day, similar to the 2.51 per capita rate in 1960, when virtually no recycling
occurred in the United States (see Table 4).
The Benefits of Recycling
Recycling has environmental benefits at every stage in the life cycle of a consumer product—from the raw
material with which it's made to its final method of disposal. Aside from reducing GHG emissions, which
contribute to global warming, recycling also reduces air and water pollution associated with making new
products from raw materials. By utilizing used, unwanted, or obsolete materials as industrial feedstocks
or for new materials or products, we can each do our part to make recycling work.
Nationally, we recycled 85 million tons of MSW. This provides an annual benefit of 193 million metric
tons of carbon dioxide equivalent emissions reduced, comparable to removing the emissions from 35 mil-
lion passenger cars. But the ultimate benefits from recycling are cleaner land, air, and water, overall better
health, and a more sustainable economy.
10
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Energy Recovered from
Waste Combustion
• In 2007, approximately 31.9 million tons
of materials, or 12.6 percent, were com-
busted for energy recovery.
• MSW combustion for energy recovery has
remained fairly constant since 1990.
Resources
The report summarized in this fact sheet characterizes
the MSW stream as a whole by using a materials flow
methodology that relies on a mass balance approach.
For example, to determine the amounts of paper
recycled, information is gathered on the amounts
processed by paper mills and made into new paper
on a national basis, instead of counting paper col-
lected at curbside on a state-by-state basis. Using data
gathered from industry associations, businesses, and
government sources, such as the U.S. Department of
Commerce and the U.S. Census Bureau, we estimate
tons of materials and products generated, recycled,
and discarded. Other sources of data, such as waste characterizations and research reports performed by
governments, industry, or the press, supplement these data.
The benefits of recycling and composting, such as elimination of GHG emissions, are calculated using
EPA's WARM methodology. Please see:
www.epa.gov/warm
WARM calculates and totals GHG emissions of baseline and alternative waste management practices—
source reduction, recycling, composting, combustion, and landfilling. The model calculates emissions in
metric tons of carbon equivalent (MTCE), metric tons
of carbon dioxide equivalent (MTCO2E), and energy
units (million Btu) across a wide range of material
types commonly found in MSW. EPA developed GHG
emissions reduction factors through a life-cycle assess-
ment methodology. EPAs report, Solid Waste Manage-
ment and Greenhouse Gases: A Life-Cycle Assessment of
Emissions and Sinks (EPA-530-R-02-006), describes
this methodology in detail (www.epa.gov/
climatechange/wycd/waste/downloads/fullreport.pdf).
The full report on MSW characterization for 2007 and
a summary of the WARM methodology are available
on the EPA Web site along with information about
waste reduction and recycling. Please see:
www.epa.gov/epawaste/nonhaz/municipal/msw99.htm
www.epa.gov/epawaste/conserve/rrr/index.htm
In percentage of total MSW generation,
recovery for recycling (including composting)
did not exceed 15 percent until 1990.
Growth in the recovery rate to current levels
(33.4 percent) reflects a rapid increase
in infrastructure and market demand for
recovery over the last decade.
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United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
United States Environmental Protection Agency
Solid Waste and Emergency Response (5306P)
Washington, DC 20460
Official Business
Penalty for Private Use $300
EPA-530-F-08-018
November 2008
www.epa.gov/osw
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