United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
/.
sex
Municipal Solid Waste Generation,
Recycling, and Disposal in the United States:
Facts and Figures for 2006
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has collected and reported data on the
generation and disposal of waste in the United States for more than 30 years. We use
the information to measure the success of waste reduction and recycling programs
across the country and to highlight where we, as a nation, need to make environmen-
tal improvements. These facts and figures are current through calendar year 2006.
In 2006, Americans generated about 251 million tons of trash and recycled 82 million
tons of materials, which is 32.5 percent. (See Figure 1 and Figure 2.) We recycled 1.5
pounds of our individual waste generation rate of 4.6 pounds per person per day.
Figure 1. MSW Generation Rates, 1960-2006
crt
~
Q.
1960 1970 1980
A Total MSW generation
1990 1995 2000
-"-B-™ Per capita generation
2006
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Figure 2. MSW Recycling Rates, 1960-2006
50%
B
c
o
1960 1965 1970 1975 1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2006
A Total MSW recycling • Percent recycling
Trends in Municipal Solid Waste (MSW)
Our trash 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. It does not
include industrial, hazardous, or construction waste.
Recycling 82 million tons of MSW saved
the energy equivalent of more than 10
billion gallons of gasoline.
In 2006, Americans recovered 61 million tons
(excluding composting) through recycling, which is
2.4 million tons more than in 2005. Composting recovered almost 21 million tons of waste. Subtracting
out what we recycled, we incinerated (with energy recovery) or discarded just over 3 pounds per person
per day.
In 2006, paper and paperboard recovery rose to over 50 percent (44 million tons), while metals were
recycled at a rate of just over 36 percent, and 62 percent of yard trimmings were recovered. (See Figure
3.) By recycling nearly 7 million tons of metals (which includes aluminum, steel, and mixed metals), we
eliminated greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions totaling close to 6.5 million metric tons of carbon equivalent
(MMTCE). This is equivalent to removing more than 5 million cars from the road for one year. All benefit
calculations such as these are derived from EPAs WAste Reduction Model (WARM).
More than 31 million tons (12.5 percent) of materials were combusted with energy recovery, and about
138 million tons (55 percent) were discarded in landfills. (See Figure 4.)
Sources of MSW
We estimated residential waste (including waste from
apartment houses) to be 55 percent to 65 percent of
the total municipal solid waste generation. Waste from
schools and commercial locations, such as hospitals and
businesses, amounted to 35 to 45 percent.
Every ton of mixed paper recycled can
save the energy equivalent of 185
gallons of gas.
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Figure 3. Recycling Rates of Selected Materials, 2006
100
99.0
y. 60
5-
O)
40
20
I I I I I
Illlllllll
Auto
Batteries
Steel
Cans
Yard
Trimmings
Paper &
Paperboard
Alum. Beer
& Soda Cans
Tires Plastic Plastic Glass
HOPE Milk Soft Containers
and Water Drink
Bottles Bottles
Materials
Figure 4. Management of MSW in the United States, 2006
Discarded
55.0%
Recovery
32.5%
Combu:
Energy Recovery
12.5%
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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 2006 was 251 million tons. Organic materials continue to be the largest com-
ponent of MSW. Paper and paperboard products account for 34 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 7 percent. Wood follows at 6 percent, and glass at 5 percent. Other mis-
cellaneous wastes made up approximately 3 percent of the MSW generated in 2006. (See Figure 5.)
Figure 5. Total MSW Generation (by Material), 2006
251 Million Tons (Before Recycling)
Other
3.3%
Rubber, leather
and textiles
7.3%
Plastics
11.7%
Metals Glass
7.6% 5.3%
Significant amounts of material from each category was recycled or composted in 2006. The highest
recovery rates were achieved in yard trimmings, paper and paperboard products, and metal products.
About 20 million tons of yard trimmings were composted, representing a five-fold increase since 1990.
We recycled more than half the paper and paperboard we generated. Recycling these organic materials
alone kept 25 percent of MSW out of landfills and combustion facilities. Recycling amounts and rates
(recovery as a percent of generation) for all materials in 2006 are listed in Table 1.
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Table 1. Generation and Recovery of Materials in MSW, 2006
(in millions of tons and percent of generation of each material)
Material
Paper and paperboard
Glass
Metals
Steel
Aluminum
Other nonferrous metals*
Total metals
Plastics
Rubber and leather
Textiles
Wood
Other materials
Total materials in products
Other wastes
Food, other**
Yard trimmings
Miscellaneous inorganic wastes
Tola I other wastes
TOTAL MUNICIPAL SOLID WASTE
Weight Generated
85.3
13.2
14.2
3.26
1.65
19.1
29.5
6.54
11.8
13.9
4.55
184.0
31.3
32.4
3.72
67.4
251.3
Weight Recovered
44.0
2.88
5.08
0.69
1.18
6.95
2.04
0.87
1.81
1.31
1.13
61.0
0.68
20.1
Negligible
20.8
81.8
Recovery as Percent of
Generation
51 .6%
21.8%
35.7%
21.2%
71.5%
36.3%
6.9%
13.3%
1 5.3%
9.4%
24.8%
33.2%
2.2%
62.0%
Negligible
30.8%
32.5%
Includes waste from residential, commercial, and institutional sources.
Includes lead from lead-acid batteries.
* Includes recovery of other MSW organics for composting.
Details may not add to totals due to rounding.
Negligible = Less than 5,000 tons or 0.05 percent.
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Products in MSW
The breakdown, by weight, of waste generated in 2006 by product category is shown in Figure 6. Con-
tainers and packaging made up the largest portion of waste generated, 31.7 percent or 80 million tons.
The second largest portion came from nondurable goods, which amounted to 25.5 percent or 64 million
tons. Durable goods make up the third largest segment, accounting for 16 percent or 40 million tons.
The generation and recovery of materials in the product categories, by weight and recovery as a percent
of generation, are shown in Table 2. The table shows that the recovery of containers and packaging was
the highest of the four product categories, with about 40 percent of the generated materials recycled.
Steel, paper products, and aluminum were the most recycled materials by percentage in this category.
More than 63 percent of steel packaging (mostly cans) was recycled. Fifty-nine percent of paper and
paperboard containers and packaging was recycled, including 72 percent of all corrugated boxes. The
aluminum recycling rate was 36 percent, including 45 percent of all aluminum beverage cans.
Around 25 percent of glass containers were recycled, while about 15 percent of wood packaging—mostly
wood pallets—was recovered. More than 10 percent of plastic containers and packaging were recycled,
mostly from soft drink, milk, and water bottles. Plastic bottles were the most recycled plastic products.
Plastic milk bottles were recycled at a rate of 31 percent. Plastic HDPE, milk, and water bottles also were
recovered at a rate of 31 percent.
Overall recovery of nondurable goods was nearly 34 percent in 2006. Nondurable goods generally last less
than three years. Paper products, such as newspapers and high-grade office papers, were the most recycled
materials. Newspapers alone were recycled at a rate of nearly 88 percent. Approximately 66 percent of
high-grade office papers and 40 percent of magazines were recovered. Unwanted mail accounted for 39
percent of recovered papers, books were 26 percent, and telephone directories were 19 percent. Clothing
and other textile products are included in the nondurable goods category. These products were recovered
for recycling at a rate of 17 percent.
Figure 6. Total MSW Generation (by Category), 2006
251 Million Tons (Before Recycling)
Other Wastes
1.5%
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Table 2. Generation and Recovery of Materials in MSW, 2006
(in millions of tons and percent of generation of each material)
Material
Durable Goods
Steel
Aluminum
Other non-ferrous metals*
Glass
Plastics
Rubber and leather
Wood
Textiles
Other materials
Total durable goods
Nondurable Goods
Paper and posterboard
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
11.5
1.10
1.65
1.81
8.79
5.44
5.40
3.11
1.39
40.2
44.8
6.47
1.06
8.43
3.38
64.2
2.75
1.94
11.4
40.4
14.2
8.53
0.34
79.6
31.3
32.4
3.72
67.4
251.3
Weight Recovered
3.34
Negligible
1.18
Negligible
0.53
0.87
Negligible
0.38
1.13
7.43
20.2
Negligible
Negligible
1.43
Negligible
21.6
1.74
0.69
2.88
23.9
1.51
1.31
Negligible
32.0
0.68
20.1
Negligible
20.8
81.8
Recovery as Percent of
Generation
29.1%
Negligible
71.5%
Negligible
6.0%
16.0%
Negligible
12.2%
81 .3%
18.5%
45.0%
Negligible
Negligible
17.0%
Negligible
33.6%
63.3%
35.6%
25.3%
59.0%
10.6%
1 5.4%
Negligible
40.2%
2.2%
62.0%
Negligible
30.8%
32.5%
Includes waste from residential, commercial, and institutional sources.
* Includes lead from lead-acid batteries.
** Includes recovery of other MSW organics for composting.
Details may not add to totals due to rounding.
Negligible = Less than 5,000 tons or 0.05 percent.
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Overall, more than 18 percent of durable goods were recovered in 2006. Nonferrous metals other than
aluminum had one of the highest recovery rates—around 72 percent—due to the high rate of lead recov-
ery from lead-acid batteries. With a 99 percent recycling rate, lead-acid batteries were one of the most
recovered products in 2006. Recovery of steel in all durable goods was 29 percent, with high rates of
recovery from appliances and other miscellaneous items.
Specific types of products with particularly high recovery
rates were newspapers (about 88 percent), corrugated
boxes (about 72 percent), major appliances (67 percent),
steel cans (about 63 percent), and aluminum beverage
cans (about 45 percent). Additionally, nearly 35 percent
of rubber tires were recycled, while other tires were re-
treaded or used as a fuel.
Disposing of MSW
While the number of U.S. landfills has steadily declined
over the years, the average landfill size has increased.
(See Figure 7.) At the national level, landfill capacity
appears to be sufficient, although it is limited in some
areas.
Since 1990, the total volume of MSW going to
landfills dropped by 4 million tons, from 142.3 mil-
lion to 138.2 million tons in 2006. (See Table 3.)
The net per capita discard rate (after recycling,
composting, and combustion for energy recovery)
was 2.53 pounds per person per day, similar to the
2.55 per capita rate in 2004. (See Table 4.)
Recycling and Composting
Collection Programs
• Approximately 8,660 curbside recycling
programs exist nationwide, down from
8,875 in 2002.
About 3,470 community composting
programs are operational, an increase
from 3,227 in 2002.
Source: Biocycle Magazine 2006
Energy Recovered from
Waste Combustion
• In 2006, approximately 31.4 million tons of
materials, or 12.5 percent, were combusted
for energy recovery.
• MSW combustion for energy recovery has
remained fairly constant since 1990.
Figure 7. Number of Landfills in the United States, 1988-2006
8,000
7,924
7,379
5,386
4,482
3,558
3,197 3,091
2,514
2,314 2,216
' I.ODO 1 ~}C~I 1 7C/1 1 7C/1
I\ I I \J I l//JtTI//J*T
data not
| available
1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006
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Table 3. Generation, Materials Recovery, Composting, Combustion with Energy Recovery,
and Discards of MSW, 1960-2006 (in millions 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
238.3
52.8
16.5
69.3
33.7
135.3
2002
239.4
53.8
16.7
70.6
33.4
135.5
2004
249.2
57.5
20.5
77.9
34.4
136.9
2005
248.2
58.6
20.6
79.1
33.4
135.6
2006
251.3
61.0
20.8
81.8
31.4
138.2
* 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 and tire-derived fuel).
$ Discards after recovery minus combustion with energy recovery. Discards include combustion without energy recovery. Details may not add to totals due to rounding.
Table 4. Generation, Materials Recovery, Composting, Combustion with Energy Recovery,
and Discards of MSW, 1960-2006 (in pounds per person per day)
Activity
Generation
Recovery for recycling
Recovery for composting*
Total materials recovery
Combustion with energy
recoveryt
Discards to landfill, other
disposal*
Population (millions)
1960
2.68
0.17
Negligible
0.17
0.0
2.51
179.979
1970
3.25
0.22
Negligible
0.22
0.01
3.02
203.984
1980
3.66
0.35
Negligible
0.35
0.07
3.24
227.255
1990
4.50
0.64
0.09
0.73
0.63
3.12
249.907
2000
4.64
1.03
0.32
1.35
0.66
2.63
281 .442
2002
4.55
1.02
0.32
1.34
0.63
2.58
287.985
2004
4.65
1.07
0.38
1.45
0.64
2.55
293.660
2005
4.59
1.08
0.38
1.46
0.62
2.51
296.410
2006
4.60
1.12
0.38
1.50
0.57
2.53
299.398
* 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 and tire-derived fuel).
t Discards after recovery minus combustion with energy recovery. Discards include combustion without energy recovery. Details may not add to totals due to rounding.
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The Benefits of Recycling
Recycling has environmental benefits at every stage in the life cycle of a consumer product—from the
raw material that it's made with to its final method of disposal. Aside from cutting greenhouse gas emis-
sions, which contribute to global warming, recycling also reduces air and water pollution associated with
making new products from raw materials. By seeing used, unwanted, or obsolete materials as industrial
feedstock or new materials or products, we can each do our part to make recycling work.
Nationally, we recycled 82 million tons of municipal solid waste. This provides an annual benefit of 49.7
million metric tons of carbon equivalent emissions reduced, comparable to removing 39.4 million pas-
senger cars from the road each year. But the ultimate benefits from recycling are cleaner land, air, and
water, and overall better health.
More Information
This report characterizes the municipal solid waste
stream as a whole by using a materials flow methodology Did YOU Kl~IOW?
that relies on a mass balance approach. For example, to . Re(ydjng ju$t 1 tQn Qf a|uminum can$ rgther
determine the amounts of paper recycled, information than throwing them away conserves more
is gathered on the amounts processed by paper mills than 207 miNion BTUs/ the equivalent of 36
and made into new paper on a national basis, instead of barrels of oil or 1,655 gallons of gasoline.
counting paper collected 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 gener-
ated, recycled, and discarded. Other sources of data, such as waste characterizations and research reports
performed by governments, industry, or the press, supplement these data.
Information on the benefits of recycling, such as elimination of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, comes
from EPAs WAste Reduction Model (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 BTUs) across a wide range of material
types commonly found in MSW EPA developed GHG emissions reduction factors through a life-cycle
assessment methodology. EPA's report, Solid Waste Management and Greenhouse Gases: A Life-Cycle Assess-
ment of Emissions and Sinks (EPA 530-R-02-006), describes this methodology in detail (www.epa.gov/epao-
swer/non-hw/muncpl/ghg/greengas.pdf).
Full data tables on MSW characterization that support this report and summaries of the MSW charac-
terization methodology and WARM are available on the U.S. EPA Web site along with information about
waste reduction and recycling. Please see:
www.epa.gov/epaoswer/non-hw/muncpl/msw99.htm
www.epa.gov/epaoswer/non-hw/muncpl/reduce.htm
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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-07-030
November 2007
www.epa.gov/osw
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