Inited States
Environmental Protection
igericy
Advancing Sustainable
Materials Management:
2014 Fact Sheet
Assessing Trends in Material Generation, Recycling,
Composting, Combustion with Energy Recovery
and Landfiliing in the United States
November 2016

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Introduction
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has collected and reported data on the generation and disposition of
waste in the United States for more than 30 years. We use this information to measure the success of waste
reduction and recycling programs across the country and characterize our national waste stream. These facts
and figures are current through calendar year 2014.
In 2014, in the United States, about 258 million tons (U.S. short tons unless
specified) of municipal solid waste (MSW) were generated. Over 89 million
tons of MSW were recycled and composted, equivalent to a 34.6 percent
recycling rate (see Figure 1 and Figure 2). In addition, over 33 million tons
of MSW were combusted with energy recovery and 136 million tons were
landfilled (see Table 1).
Recycling and composting of MSW results in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions
reduction. In 2014, the 89 million tons of MSW recycled and composted
provided an annual reduction of over 181 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (MMTC02E)
emissions, comparable to the annual emissions from over 38 million passenger cars.1
As the title for the annual report suggests, EPA is thinking beyond waste. Sustainable Materials Management
(SMM) refers to the use and reuse of materials in the most productive and sustainable way across their entire
life cycle. SMM conserves resources, reduces waste, slows climate change and minimizes the environmental
impacts of the materials we use.
Figure 1. MSW Generation Rates, 1960 to 2014
300
258.5
251.1
253.7
243.5
250
217.3
208.3
c
o
200
E
166.3
c
o
150
127.
121.1
4.74
4.69
4.57
104.4
4.52
4.45
4.44
3.83
100
3.66
3.25
3.25
2.96
1960 1965 1970 1975 1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010 2014
¦A- Total MSW generation	- - Per capita generation
Food
Nationally, the composting
of food rose from 1.84 million
tons in 2013 (5.0 percent of
food) to 1.94 million tons in
2014 (5.1 percent of food).
2

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Figure 2. MSW Recycling Rates, 1960 to 2014
E,
o
Q_
E
o
u
T3
C
TO
TO
u
Q)
TO
¦4—'
o
50%
- 40%
- 30%
34.6%
28.5%
/25.7%
9.6% 10.1% Z'16.0%
6.2% 6.6% 7'3%
1960 1965 1970 1975 1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010 2014
-A- Total MSW recycling and composting -H- Percent recycling and composting
T3
a)
¦4—'
KA
O
Q_
E
o
T3
- 20% -S
- 10%

O
The sustainable management of natural capital has become increasingly important with expanding demand
for finite resources on the global scale. For economic growth to reliably continue, responsible use of natural
resources must consider the environmental and human health impacts. Considering the entire life cycle of the
needed materials, businesses are able to reduce environmental and human health risk while enhancing and
sustaining their value proposition.
According to the United Nations Environment Programme, International Resources Panel (UNEP IRP), "data
suggest that while long-run relative decoupling of material extraction from GDP [gross domestic product] can
be observed at a global level, this relative decoupling is not sufficient to prevent a persistent increasing trend in
absolute resource extraction. Indeed, in contrast to the long-run relative decoupling trend over the 20th century,
recent years' data suggest that resource extraction has begun to increase at a faster rate than GDP, suggestive
of 'recoupling'."2 In a subsequent report, the UNEP IRP expands upon these observations: "the material
intensity of the world economy has been increasing for the past decade, driven by the great acceleration that
has occurred since the year 2000. Globally, more material per unit of GDP is now required. Production has
shifted from very material-efficient countries to countries that have low material efficiency, resulting in an
overall decline in material efficiency."3
3

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Trends in Municipal Solid Waste in 2014
Our trash, or MSW, is comprised of various items Americans
commonly throw away after being used. These items include
packaging, food, yard trimmings, furniture, electronics, tires
and appliances. MSW does not include industrial, hazardous or
construction waste.
In 2014, about 66.4 million tons of MSW were recyled, 23
million tons were composted, 33.1 million tons were combusted
with energy recovery and 136 million tons were landfilled.
In 2014, the rate of lead-acid battery recycling was about 99 percent (2.81 million tons). The rate of corrugated box
recycling was over 89 percent (27.3 million tons), and over 61 percent (21.1 million tons) of yard trimmings were
composted (see Figure 3). About 135.9 million tons of MSW (52.6 percent) were landfilled in 2014 (see Figure 4).
Three materials had composting or recycling rates that rose from 2013 to 2014 — yard trimmings, selected
consumer electronics and food. In 2014, the rate of yard trimmings composting was 61.1 percent (21.1 million
tons), up from 60.2 percent (20.6 million tons). The rate of yard trimmings composting was 51.7 percent in the
year 2000. In 2014, the rate of selected consumer electronics recycling was 41.7 percent (1.4 million tons) up from
37.8 percent in 2013 (1.3 million tons).4 This was a further increase from the year 2000, when selected consumer
electronics were recycled at 10.0 percent. In 2014, the rate of food composting was 5.1 percent (1.94 million tons),
up from 5.0 percent in 2013 (1.84 million tons).5 The rate of food composting was 2.2 percent in the year 2000.
Sources of MSW
Sources of MSW include residential waste (including waste from multi-family housing) and waste from
commercial and institutional locations, such as businesses, schools and hospitals.
Over the last few decades, the generation, recycling, composting, combustion with energy recovery and landfilling of
MSW changed substantially. Solid waste generation per person per day peaked in 2000. The 4.4 pounds per person
per day in 2014 is about the same as in 2013, and is one of the lowest rates since before 1990. The recycling and
composting rate has increased from less than 10 percent of generated MSW in 1980 to over 34 percent in 2014.
Combustion with energy recovery increased from less than two percent of generation in 1980 to 12.8 percent in 2014.
Landfilling of waste decreased from 89 percent in 1980 to under 53 percent in 2014.
Recycling and composting did not exceed
15 percent of total MSW generation until
1990. Growth in the recycling rate was
significant over the next 15 years. Over the
last five years, the recycling growth rate has
leveled off.
4

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Figure 3. Recycling and Composting Rates of Selected Products, 2014*
100
80
60
-2M-
QJ
Q_
TO
CC
o
Q-
E
o
TO
o>
QC
40
20
_
70.7
	
61.1

	
55.1
41.7	40.5
¦

32.5
I
31.2
2:9.5
	
Lead-Acid Corrugated Steel Cans Yard Aluminum Selected
Batteries Boxes	Trimmings Beer & Soda Consumer
Cans Electronics
Products
Tires	Glass PET Bottles l-IDPE Natural
Containers &Jars (White
Translucent)
Bottles
*Does not include combustion with energy recovery.
Figure 4. Management of MSW in the United States, 2014
Recycling and
Composting
34.6%
Landfilled
52.6%
Combustion with
Energy Recovery
12.8%
5

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Analyzing MSW
EPA analyzes waste by material, such as plastics, or paper and paperboard, as well as 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).
Nationally, in 2014, Americans recycled and composted over 89 million tons of municipal solid waste. This provides
an annual reduction of more than 181 MMTCO:,E, comparable to the annual GHG emissions from over 38 million
passenger vehicles.
Materials in MSW
Total MSW generation in 2014 was 258.5 million tons. Figure 5 shows the breakdown of MSW generation
by material. Organic materials such as paper and paperboard, yard trimmings and food continued to be the
largest component of MSW. Paper and paperboard accounted for over 26 percent, and yard trimmings and food
accounted for another 28.2 percent. Plastics comprised about 13 percent of MSW; rubber, leather, and textiles
accounted for over nine percent; and metals made up nine percent. Wood followed at over six percent, and glass
over four percent. Other miscellaneous wastes made up approximately three percent of the MSW generated in
2014.
Total MSW recycling and composting in 2014 was over 89 million tons. Figure 6 shows that in 2014, paper and
paperboard accounted for about 50 percent of all recycling, yard trimmings accounted for over 23 percent while
food accounted for another two percent. Metals comprised about nine percent and glass, plastic and wood
made up about three percent each. Other miscellaneous materials made up about six percent of MSW recycling
and composting.
The highest recyling and composting rates were achieved in paper and paperboard, yard trimmings and metals.
More than 64 percent of the paper and paperboard generated was recycled. Over 21 million tons of yard
trimmings were composted (almost a five-fold increase since 1990). In 2014,34 percent of metal was recycled.
Recycling and composting these three materials alone kept over 28 percent of generated MSW out of landfills.
In 2014,33 million tons of MSW were combusted with energy recovery. Food made up the largest component
of MSW combusted (over 21 percent). Rubber, leather and textiles accounted for over 17 percent of MSW
combustion. Plastics comprised about 15 percent; and paper and paperboard made up over 14 percent. The
other materials accounted for less than 10 percent each (see Figure 7).
In 2014, about 136 million tons of MSW were landfilled. Food was the largest component (over 21 percent).
Plastics accounted for over 18 percent, paper and paperboard made up over 14 percent and rubber, leather and
textiles comprised over 10 percent. Other materials accounted for less than 10 percent each (see Figure 8).
Table 1 provides recycling, composting, combustion with energy recovery and landfill amounts and rates (as
percent of generation) for all materials in 2014.
6

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Figure 5. Total MSW Generation (by material), 2014
258 Million Tons
Figure 6. Total MSW Recycling and Composting
(by material), 2014
89 Million Tons
Other
3.2%
Yard trimmings
13.3%
Metals
9%
Plastics
12.9%
Wood 2.9% Food 2.2%
\
Plastics 3.5%
Glass
3.3%
Rubber, leather &
textiles 9.5%
Meta s
Paper & paperboard
49.7%
Yard trimmings
23.6%
Figure 7. Total MSW Combusted with Energy
Recovery (by material), 2014
33 Million Tons
Figure 8. Total MSW Landfilled (by material), 2014
136 Million Tons
Other
4.0%
Rubber, leather
& textiles
17.4%
Food
21.6%
Paper &
paperboard
14.3%
trimmings
7.9%
Metals
7.7%
Plastics
15%
Paper &
paperboard
14.3%
Rubber, leather
& textiles
10.8%
Yard
trimmings
7.9%
Metals
9.4%
Plastics
18.5%
7

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Table 1. Generation, Recycling, Composting, Combustion with Energy Recovery and Landfilling of Materials in MSW, 2014*
(in millions of tons and percent of generation of each material)
Material
Weight
Generated
Weight
Recycled
Weight
Composted
Weight
Combusted
with Energy
Recovery
Weight
Landfilled
Recycling as
Percent of
Generation
Composting
as Percent of
Generation
Combustion
as Percent of
Generation
Landfilling
as Percent of
Generation
Paper and paperboard
68.61
44.40

4.74
19.47
64.7%

6.9%
28.4%
Glass
11.48
2.99

1.45
7.04
26.0%

12.6%
61.3%
Metals









Steel
17.69
5.84

2.02
9.83
33.0%

11.4%
55.6%
Aluminum
3.53
0.70

0.47
2.36
19.8%

13.3%
66.9%
Other nonferrous metalst
2.04
1.36

0.05
0.63
66.7%

2.5%
30.9%
Total metals
23.26
7.90

2.54
12.82
34.0%

10.9%
55.1%
Plastics
33.25
3.17

4.98
25.10
9.5%

1 5.0%
75.5%
Rubber and leather
8.21
1.44

2.62
4.15
17.5%

31.9%
50.5%
Textiles
16.22
2.62

3.14
10.46
16.2%

19.4%
64.5%
Wood
16.12
2.57

2.54
11.01
1 5.9%

1 5.8%
68.3%
Other materials
4.44
1.29

0.57
2.58
29.1%

12.8%
58.1%
Total materials in products
181.59
66.38

22.58
92.63
36.6%

12.4%
51.0%
Other wastes









Food, otheri
38.40

1.94
7.15
29.31

5.1%
18.6%
76.3%
Yard trimmings
34.50

21.08
2.63
10.79

61.1%
7.6%
31.3%
Miscellaneous inorganic wastes
3.97


0.78
3.19


19.6%
80.4%
Total other wastes
76.87

23.02
10.56
43.29

29.9%
13.7%
56.3%
Total municipal solid waste
258.46
66.38
23.02
33.14
135.92
25.7%
8.9%
12.8%
52.6%
* Includes waste from residential, commercial and institutional sources,
t Includes lead from lead-acid batteries.
$ Includes collection of other MSW organics for composting.
8
Details might 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 of the 258 million tons of MSW generated in 2014 by product category follows. Containers and
packaging made up the largest portion of MSW generated: 29.7 percent, or over 76 million tons. Nondurable
and durable goods each made up about 20 percent (over 52 million tons) each. Food made up 14.9 percent
(38.4 million tons), yard trimmings made up 13.3 percent (34.5 million tons) and other wastes made up 1.5
percent (4 million tons).
Table 2 shows the generation, recycling, composting, combustion with energy recovery and landfilling
of materials in the product categories, by weight and as percent of generation. This table shows that the
recycling of containers and packaging was the highest of the four product categories, with over 51 percent
of the generated materials recycled. Paper products, steel and aluminum were the most recycled materials by
percentage in this category. Over 75 percent of paper and paperboard containers and packaging was recycled.
Over 72 percent of steel packaging (mostly cans) was recycled. The recycling rate for aluminum packaging was
almost 39 percent, including over 55 percent of aluminum beverage cans.
Over 32 percent of glass containers was recycled, while over 26 percent of wood packaging (mostly wood
pallets) was recycled. Almost 15 percent of plastic containers and packaging was recycled—mostly from soft
drink, milk and water bottles. Plastic bottles were the most recycled plastic products. Polyethylene terephthalate
(PET) bottles and jars were recycled at over 31 percent. Recycling of high density polyethylene (HDPE) natural
(white translucent) bottles was estimated at over 29 percent (see 2014 data tables).
Nondurable goods generally last less than three years. Overall recycling of
nondurable goods was about 33 percent in 2014. Newspapers/mechanical papers	Every ton of office
and other paper products were the most recycled nondurable goods. Newspapers/ paper recycled can
mechanical papers include newspapers, directories, inserts, and some advertisement save	.
and direct mail printing. Sixty-eight percent of newspapers/mechanical papers were
recycled. Collectively, the recycling of other paper products such as office paper
and magazines was over 44 percent in 2014. Clothing, footwear and other textile
products are included in the nondurable goods category. These products were
recycled at a rate of over 17 percent.
Overall, 18 percent of durable goods was recycled in 2014. Due to the high rate of lead recycling from lead-acid
batteries, nonferrous metals (other than aluminum) had one of the highest recycling rates. With an almost 99
percent recycling rate, lead-acid batteries continued to be one of the most recycled products. Recycling of steel
in all durable goods was over 27 percent, with high rates of recycling from appliances and other miscellaneous
items. Recycling of selected consumer electronics (ranging from TVs, computers and cell phones to fax machines)
was over 41 percent (see Figure 3).
Measured by percentage of generation, products with the highest
recycling rates in 2014 were lead-acid batteries (98.9 percent),	Recycling just one ton of aluminum
corrugated boxes (89.5 percent), steel cans (70.7 percent), newspapers/ cans conserves more than 152
mechanical papers (68.2 percent), yard trimmings (61.1 percent), major million Btu, the equivalent of 1,024
appliances (58.3 percent), aluminum cans (55.1 percent), mixed paper gallons ofgasoline or 21 barrels of
(44.4 percent), selected consumer electronics (41.7 percent), and tires
(40.5 percent) (see 2014 data tables).
equivalent of 322
gallons of gasoline
consumed.
oil consumed.
9

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Table 2. Generation, Recycling, Composting, Combustion with Energy Recovery and Landfilling of Materials in MSW, 2014*
(in millions of tons and percent of generation of each product)
Products
Weight
Generated
Weight
Recycled
Weight
Composted
Weight
Combusted
with Energy
Recovery
Weight
Landfilled
Recycling as
Percent of
Generation
Composting
as Percent of
Generation
Combustion
as Percent of
Generation
Landfilling
as Percent of
Generation
Durable goods

Steel
15.52
4.26

1.90
9.36
27.4%

12.2%
60.3%
Aluminum
1.52
Not Available

0.21
1.31
Not Available

13.8%
86.2%
Other non-ferrous metalst
2.04
1.36

0.05
0.63
66.7%

2.5%
30.9%
Glass
2.28
Negligible

0.23
2.05
Negligible

10.1%
89.9%
Plastics
12.15
0.91

1.28
9.96
7.5%

10.5%
82.0%
Rubber and leather
7.12
1.44

2.41
3.27
20.2%

33.8%
45.9%
Wood
6.39
Negligible

1.14
5.25
Negligible

17.8%
82.2%
Textiles
3.96
0.49

1.16
2.31
12.4%

29.3%
58.3%
Other materials
1.67
1.29

0.03
0.35
77.2%

1.8%
21.0%
Total durable goods
52.65
9.75

8.41
34.49
18.5%

16.0%
65.5%
Nondurable goods

Paper and paperboard
29.47
14.91

2.85
11.71
50.6%

9.7%
39.7%
Plastics
6.78
0.14

1.31
5.33
2.1%

19.3%
78.6%
Rubber and leather
1.09
Negligible

0.21
0.88
Negligible

19.3%
80.7%
Textiles
11.95
2.13

1.92
7.90
17.8%

16.1%
66.1%
Other materials
2.98
Negligible

0.58
2.40
Negligible

19.5%
80.5%
Total nondurable goods
52.27
17.18

6.87
28.22
32.9%

13.1%
54.0%
(table continued...)
10

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Table 2. Generation, Recycling, Composting, Combustion with Energy Recovery and Landfilling of Materials in MSW, 2014*
(in millions of tons and percent of generation of each product) (...table continued)
Products
Weight
Generated
Weight
Recycled
Weight
Composted
Weight
Combusted
with Energy
Recovery
Weight
Landfilled
Recycling as
Percent of
Generation
Composting
as Percent of
Generation
Combustion
as Percent of
Generation
Landfilling
as Percent of
Generation
Containers and packaging

Steel
2.17
1.58

0.12
0.47
72.8%

5.5%
21.7%
Aluminum
1.81
0.70

0.22
0.89
38.7%

12.2%
49.2%
Glass
9.20
2.99

1.22
4.99
32.5%

13.3%
54.2%
Paper and paperboard
39.13
29.49

1.89
7.75
75.4%

4.8%
19.8%
Plastics
14.32
2.12

2.39
9.81
14.8%

16.7%
68.5%
Wood
9.73
2.57

1.40
5.76
26.4%

14.4%
59.2%
Other materials
0.31
Negligible

0.06
0.25
Negligible

19.4%
80.6%
Total containers and
packaging
76.67
39.45

7.30
29.92
51.5%

9.5%
39.0%
Other wastes

Food, otheri
38.40

1.94
7.15
29.31

5.1%
18.6%
76.3%
Yard trimmings
34.50

21.08
2.63
10.79

61.1%
7.6%
31.3%
Miscellaneous inorganic wastes
3.97


0.78
3.19


19.6%
80.4%
Total other wastes
76.87

23.02
10.56
43.29

29.9%
13.7%
56.3%
Total municipal solid waste
258.46
66.38
23.02
33.14
135.92
25.7%
8.9%
12.8%
52.6%
* Includes waste from residential, commercial and institutional sources,
t Includes lead from lead-acid batteries.
$ Includes collection 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.
11

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Combustion with Energy Recovery
Most of the MSW combustion in the U.S. incorporates recovery of an energy product (generally steam or
electricity).
¦	In 2014, about 33.1 million tons (12.8 percent) of materials were combusted for energy recovery (see
Table 3).
¦	From 1990 to 2000, the quantity of MSW combusted with energy recovery increased over 13 percent to
about 34 million tons.
¦	MSW combustion for energy recovery has decreased from about 34 million tons in 2000 to 33.1 million
tons in 2014.
Landfilling 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 for our current practices—although it is limited
in some areas.
¦	Since 1990, the total amount of MSW going to landfills dropped by 9.3 million tons, from 145.3 million to
136 million tons in 2014 (see Table 3).
¦	The net per capita 2014 landfilling rate (after recycling, composting and combustion with energy
recovery) was 2.3 pounds per day, lower than the 3.2 per capita rate in 1990 (see Table 4).
¦	From 1985 to 1995 there was a rapid rise in the cost to manage MSW going to landfills, followed by a
steady decrease from 1995 to 2004. Since 2004, there has been a steady increase in landfill tipping fees
(see Figure 9). The tipping fees are expressed in constant 2014 dollars.
12

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Table 3. Generation, Recycling, Composting, Combustion with Energy Recovery and Landfilling
of MSW, 1960 to 2014 (in millions of tons)
Activity
1960
1970
1980
1990
2000
2005
2010
2012
2013
2014
Generation
88.1
121.1
151.6
208.3
243.5
253.7
251.1
251.8
255.0
258.5
Recycling
5.6
8.0
14.5
29.0
53.0
59.2
65.3
65.6
65.1
66.4
Composting*
neg.
neg.
neg.
4.2
16.5
20.6
20.2
21.3
22.4
23.0
Combustion with
energy recoveryt
0.0
0.5
2.8
29.8
33.7
31.7
29.3
32.5
33.2
33.1
Landfilling and other
disposals
82.5
112.6
134.3
145.3
140.3
142.2
136.3
132.4
134.3
136.0
* Composting of yard trimmings, food 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).
$ Landfilling after recycling, composting and combustion with energy
recovery. Includes combustion without energy recovery.
Details might not add to totals due to rounding,
neg. Negligible = less than 5,000 tons or 0.05 percent.
Table 4. Generation, Recycling, Composting, Combustion with Energy Recovery and Landfilling
of MSW, 1960 to 2014 (in pounds per person per day)
Activity
1960
1970
1980
1990
2000
2005
2010
2012
2013
2014
Generation
2.7
3.3
3.7
4.6
4.7
4.7
4.4
4.4
4.4
4.4
Recycling
0.2
0.2
0.4
0.6
1.0
1.1
1.1
1.1
1.1
1.1
Composting*
neg.
neg.
neg.
0.1
0.3
0.4
0.4
0.4
0.4
0.4
Combustion
with energy
recoveryt
0.0
neg.
0.1
0.7
0.7
0.6
0.5
0.6
0.6
0.6
Landfilling
and other
disposals
2.5
3.1
3.2
3.2
2.7
2.6
2.4
2.3
2.3
2.3
Population (In
millions)
180.0
204.0
227.3
249.9
281.4
296.4
309.1
313.9
316.1
318.9
* Composting of yard trimmings, food 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).
$ Landfilling after recycling, composting and combustion with energy
recovery. Includes combustion without energy recovery.
Details might not add to totals due to rounding,
neg. Negligible = less than 5,000 tons or 0.05 percent.
13

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Figure 9. National Landfill Tipping Fees, 1982-2013 ($2014 per ton)
O
PM
O
-4—'
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Table 5. Greenhouse Gas Benefits Associated with Recycling and Composting of Specific
Materials, 2014* (in millions of tons recycled and composted, MMTC02E and in numbers of cars
taken off the road per year)
. . .	Weight Recycled and	Numbers of Cars Taken Off
Material	. * , . .... , x . GHG Benefits MMTCO,E	.. „ .
Composted (millions of tons)	2	the Road per Year
Paper and paperboard
44.4
138.4
29.2 million
Glass
2.99
0.8
175 thousand
Metals



Steel
5.84
10.6
2.2 million
Aluminum
0.7
6.4
1.3 million
Other nonferrous
metalst
1.36
5.9
1.25 million
Total metals
7.9
22.9
4.8 million
Plastics
3.17
3.2
670 thousand
Rubber and leather*
1.44
0.5
114 thousand
Textiles
2.62
6.2
1.3 million
Wood
2.57
6.3
1.3 million
Other wastes



Food, otherA
1.94
0.3
72 thousand
Yard trimmings
21.08
3.1
651 thousand
* Includes materials from residential, commercial and institutional sources.
t Includes lead from lead-acid batteries. Other nonferrous metals calculated in WARM as mixed metals.
$ Recycling only includes rubber from tires.
A Includes collection of other MSW organics for composting.
These calculations do not include an additional 1.29 million tons of MSW recycled that could not be addressed in the WARM model. MMTC0,E is million
metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent.
Source: WARM model Version 14 (https://www.epa.gov/warm)
Composting Collection Programs67
•	About 3,560 community composting programs were documented in 2014—an increase from 3,227 in 2002.
•	Food composting collection programs served over 2.8 million households in 2014.
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MSW Generation and Household Spending
Over the years, the change in the amount of MSW generated typically imitated trends in how much money
U.S. households spent on goods and services. Personal Consumer Expenditures (PCE) measure U.S. household
spending on goods and services such as food, clothing, vehicles and recreation services. PCE accounts for
approximately 70 percent of U.S. Gross Domestic Product, a key indicator of economic growth. PCE adjusted
for inflation is referred to as real PCE.This metric is more useful in making comparisons over time because it
normalizes the value of a dollar by considering how much a dollar could purchase in the past versus today.
Figure 10 explores the relationship between MSW generated and real PCE since 1960.
Figure 10 is an indexed graph showing the relative changes in real PCE, MSW generated and MSW generated
per capita over time. It is indexed to allow all three of these metrics to be shown on the same graph and
compare their relative rates of change since 1960. The indexed value indicates the change in the value of the
data since 1960. For example, if for a given year the value is three, then the data value for that year would be
three times the 1960 value. In this case, if the 1960 value was 200, then the resulting year's value would be
600. The 2014 MSW per capita generation indexed value is 1.7, which means MSW per capita generation has
increased by 70 percent since 1960.
Figure 10 shows that real PCE has increased at a faster rate than MSW generation, and the disparity has become
even more distinct since the mid 1990s. This metric indicates the amount of MSW generated per dollar spent
is falling. In other words, the U.S. economy has been able to enjoy dramatic increases in household spending
on consumer goods and services without the societal impact of similarly increasing MSW generation rates. This
figure also shows that the MSW generated per capita leveled off in the early-to-mid 2000s and has since fallen.
This is important because as population continues to grow, it will be necessary for MSW generated per capita to
continue to fall to maintain or decrease the total amount of MSW generated as a country.
Figure 10. Indexed MSW Generated and Real PCE over Time (1960-2014)
6.00
5.00
4.00

3
TO
>
¦g 3.00
S
T3
C
2.00
1.00
0.00
1960 1965 1970 1975 1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010 2014
Year
Real PCE	MSW Generated	MSW Generated per Capita
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Construction and Demolition (C&D) Debris
Generation Results
C&D debris is a type of waste which is not included in MSW. Materials included in C&D are steel, wood products,
drywall and plaster, brick, clay tile, asphalt shingles, concrete and asphalt concrete. These materials are used in
building as well as road and bridge sectors. The generation estimate represents C&D amounts from construction,
renovation and demolition activities for buildings, roads and bridges.
in 2014, 534 million tons of C&D debris were generated. Figure 11 shows the 2014 generation composition for
C&D. Concrete was the largest portion (70 percent), followed by asphalt concrete (14 percent). Wood products
made up seven percent and the other products accounted for nine percent combined, The 2014 generation
estimates are presented in more detail in Table 6. As shown in Figure 12, demolition represented over 90 percent
of total C&D debris generation as opposed to construction which represented under 10 percent.
Figure 11. C&D Generation Composition by Material, 2014
534 Million Tons (before recycling)
Asphalt Shingles
3% \
Asphalt Concrete
14%
Brick and Clay Tile
2%
Steel
1%
Drywall and Plasters
3%
Wood Products
7%
Concrete
70%
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Table 6. C&D Debris Generation by Material and Activity (million tons)

Waste During
Construction
Demolition Debris
Total C&D Debris

2014
2014
2014
Concrete
21.7
353.6
375.3
Wood Products
2.9
35.8
38.7
Drywall and Plasters
3.3
10.3
13.6
Steel
0.0
4.3
4.3
Brick and Clay Tile
0.2
11.8
12.0
Asphalt Shingles
0.8
12.7
13.5
Asphalt Concrete
0.0
76.6
76.6
Total
28.9
505.1
534.0
Figure 12. Contribution of Construction and Demolition Phases
to Total 2014 C&D Debris Generation
Concrete	Wood	Drywall	Steel	Brick and	Asphalt	Asphalt	Total
Products and Plasters	Clay Tile	Shingles	Concrete
Products
J During Construction	Demolition
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Table 7 displays the amount of C&D debris generation from buildings, roads and bridges and other structures
for each material. The other structures category includes communication, power, transportation, sewer and
waste disposal, water supply, conservation and development and manufacturing infrastructure. In 2014, roads
and bridges contributed significantly more to C&D debris generation than buildings and other structures, and
concrete made up the largest share of C&D debris generation for all three categories.8
Table 7. C&D Debris Generation by Source (million tons)

Buildings
Roads and Bridges
Other

2014
2014
2014
Concrete
84.8
157.4
133.1
Wood Products3
37.3

1.4
Drywall and Plasters
13.6


Steelb
4.4


Brick and Clay Tile
12.0


Asphalt Shingles
13.5


Asphalt Concrete

76.6

Total
165.6
234.0
134.5
a Wood consumption in buildings also includes some lumber consumed for the construction of other structures. Data were not available to allocate lumber
consumption for non-residential and unspecified uses between buildings and other structures except for railroad ties. Since non-residential buildings such
as barns, warehouses and small commercial buildings are assumed to consume a greater amount of lumber than other structures, the amount of lumber for
construction remaining after the amount for railroad ties is split out, is included in the buildings source category.
b Steel consumption in buildings also includes steel consumed for the construction of roads and bridges. Data were not available to allocate steel consumption
across different sources, but buildings are assumed to consume the largest portion of steel for construction.
Thinking Beyond Waste
EPA is helping change the way our society protects the environment and conserves resources for future
generations by thinking beyond recycling, composting, combustion with energy recovery and landfilling.
Building on the familiar concept of Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, the Agency is employing a systemic approach
that seeks to reduce materials use and associated environmental impacts over their entire life cycle, called
sustainable materials management (SMM). This process starts with extraction of natural resources and material
processing through product design and manufacturing, then the product use stage, followed by collection/
processing and final end of life. By examining how materials are used throughout their life cycle, an SMM
approach seeks to use materials in the most productive way with an emphasis on using fewer materials and
products, reducing toxic chemicals and environmental impacts throughout the material's life cycle and assuring
we have sufficient resources to meet today's needs and those of the future. Data on MSW generation, recycling,
composting, combustion with energy recovery and landfilling is an important starting point for the full SMM
approach.
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Resources
The data 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. EPA recognizes that there are several approaches to
measuring material flows (e.g. volume). To be consistent, EPA reports the materials quantities in tons in the
current fact sheet but will continue to explore options for alternative measurement quantifications to describe
materials management in the U.S.
EPA has consistently used materials flow analysis (MFA) to allow for comparison of data over the last three
decades. EPA recognizes this methodology differs from other methodologies that also estimate generation
of MSW and other waste data. EPA will continue to work with stakeholders to identify methodologies and
additional publically available data to improve our national understanding of materials flow in the U.S.
The following provides an example of how the materials flow methodology is used in the fact sheet. 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 plus recycled paper exported, instead of counting paper collected for
recycling 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, composted, combusted with energy recovery and landfilled. Other sources
of data, such as waste characterizations and research reports performed by governments, industry or the press,
supplement these data. The data on C&D debris generated summarized in this report is also developed using a
materials flow methodology.
The benefits of MSW recycling and composting, such as elimination of GHG emissions, are calculated using
EPA's WARM methodology. WARM calculates and totals GHG emissions of baseline and alternative waste
management practices including source reduction, recycling, composting, combustion and landfilling. The model
calculates emissions in metric tons of carbon equivalent (MTCE), metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent
(MTC02E) 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 assessment methodology. Please see:
https://www.epa.gov/warm.
The 2014 data tables and Summaries of the MSW characterization methodology and WARM are available on the
EPA website along with information about waste reduction, recycling and sustainable materials management.
Please see:
https://www.epa.gov/smm/advancing-sustainable-materials-management-facts-and-figures-report
https://www.epa.gov/recycle
https://www.epa.gov/smm
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Endnotes
1.	All benefit calculations in the fact sheet are derived from WARM version 14. Source: Waste Reduction Model (WARM). U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency, https://www.epa.gov/warm.
2.	UNEP (2016) Resource Efficiency: Potential and Economic Implications. A report of the International Resource Panel. Ekins, P., Hughes, N., et al., p. 15.
https://www.env.go.jp/press/files/jp/102839.pdf
3.	UNEP (2016). Global Material Flows and Resource Productivity. An Assessment Study of the UNEP International Resource Panel. H. Schandl, M. Fischer-
Kowalski, J. West, S. Giljum, M. Dittrich, N. Eisenmenger, A. Geschke, M. Lieber, H. P.Wieland, A. Schaffartzik, F. Krausmann, S. Gierlinger, K. Hosking, M.
Lenzen, H.Tanikawa, A. Miatto, and T. Fishman. Paris, United Nations Environment Programme, p. 16.
4.	"Electronic Products Generation and Recycling in the United States, 2013 and 2014" U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (2016). https://www.epa.gov/
smm/studies-summary-tables-and-data-related-advancing-sustainable-materials-management-report
5.	"Food Waste Management in the United States, 2014" U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (2016). https://www.epa.gov/smm/studies-summary-tables-
and-data-related-advancing-sustainable-materials-management-report
6.	Source for 2002 community composting program data: "The State of Garbage In America." Simmons, Phil, Scott M. Kaufman, and Nickolas J. Themelis.
BioCycle 47, no. 4, p. 26 (2006). Sources for 2014 data: "State of Composting in the U.S.: What, Why, Where & Flow." Institute for Local Self-Reliance
(2014); Advancing Sustainable Materials Management: Facts and Figures 2013. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (2015).
https://www.epa.gov/smm/advancing-sustainable-materials-management-facts-and-figures-report
7.	Sources for food composting collection programs: "Residential Food Waste Collection in the U.S. — BioCycle Nationwide Survey." Supplemental tables.
BioCycle 54, no. 3, p. 23 (2013)¦ Advancing Sustainable Materials Management: Facts and Figures 2013. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (2015).
https://www.epa.gov/smm/advancing-sustainable-materials-management-facts-and-figures-report
8.	"Construction and Demolition Debris Generation in the United States, 2014" U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (2016). https://www.epa.gov/smm/
studies-summary-tables-and-data-related-advancing-sustainable-materials-management-report
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vvEPA
United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
United States Environmental Protection Agency
Office of Land and Emergency Management (5306P)
Washington, DC 20460
Official Business
Penalty for Private Use $300
EPA530-R-17-01
November 2016
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