United States

Agency

Advancing Sustainable
Materials Management:

2018 Tables and Figures

Assessing Trends in Materials Generation and
Management in the United States

December 2020


-------
List of Tables

Page

Table 1. Materials Generated* in the Municipal Waste Stream, 1960 to 2018	1

Table 2. Materials Recycled,* Composted and Managed by Other Food Pathways in the

Municipal Waste Stream, 1960 to 2018	2

Table 3. Materials Combusted with Energy Recovery* in the Municipal Waste Stream, 1960 to

2018	4

Table 4. Materials La ndfil led * in the Municipal Waste Stream, 1960 to 2018	5

Table 5. Paper and Paperboard Products In MSW, 2018	6

Table 6. Glass Products in MSW, 2018	7

Table 7. Metal Products in MSW, 2018	8

Table 8. Plastics in Products In MSW, 2018	9

Table 9. Rubber and Leather Products In MSW, 2018	12

Table 10. Products Generated* in the Municipal Waste Stream, 1960 to 2018	13

Table 11. Products Recycled,* Composted and Managed by Other Food Pathways in the

Municipal Solid Waste Stream, 1960 TO 2018	14

Table 12. Products Combusted with Energy Recovery* in the Municipal Waste Stream, 1960 to
2018	16

Table 13. Products Landfilled* in the Municipal Waste Stream, 1960 to 2018	17

Table 14. Products Generated* in the Municipal Waste Stream, 1960 to 2018 (With Detail On
Durable Goods)	18

Table 15. Products Recycled,* Composted and Managed by Other Food Pathways in the

Municipal Solid Waste Stream, 1960 TO 2018 (With Detail on Durable Goods)	19

Table 16. Products Combusted with Energy Recovery* in the Municipal Waste Stream, 1960 to
2018 (With Detail On Durable Goods)	21

Table 17. Products Landfilled* in the Municipal Waste Stream, 1960 to 2018 (With Detail On
Durable Goods)	23

Table 18. Products Generated* in the Municipal Waste Stream, 1960 to 2018 (With Detail on
Nondurable Goods)	24

Table 19. Products Recycled,* Composted and Managed By Other Food Pathways In The

Municipal Solid Waste Stream, 1960 To 2018 (With Detail on Nondurable Goods)	26

Table 19. Products Recycled,* Composted and Managed By Other Food Pathways In The

Municipal Solid Waste Stream, 1960 To 2018 (With Detail on Nondurable Goods)	27

Table 20. Products Combusted with Energy Recovery* in Municipal Solid Waste, 1960 to 2018
(With Detail on Nondurable Goods)	29

Table 21. Products Landfilled* in Municipal Solid Waste, 1960 to 2018 (With Detail on

Nondurable Goods)	31

December 2020	i


-------
Advancing Sustainable Materials Management: Facts and Figures 2018

List of Tables (Continued)

Page

Table 22. Products Generated* in the Municipal Waste Stream, 1960 to 2018 (With Detail on
Containers and Packaging)	33

Table 23. Products Generated* in the Municipal Waste Stream, 1960 to 2018 (With Detail on
Containers and Packaging)	35

Table 24. Products Recycled,* Composted and Managed by Other Food Pathways in the

Municipal Solid Waste Stream, 1960 To 2018 (With Detail On Containers And Packaging)	37

Table 25. Products Recycled,* Composted and Managed by Other Food Pathways in the

Municipal Solid Waste Stream, 1960 To 2018 (With Detail on Containers and Packaging)	39

Table 26. Products Combusted with Energy Recovery* in Municipal Solid Waste, 1960 to 2018
(With Detail on Containers and Packaging)	41

Table 27. Products Combusted with Energy Recovery* in Municipal Solid Waste, 1960 to 2018
(With Detail on Containers and Packaging)	43

Table 28. Products La ndf il led * in Municipal Solid Waste, 1960 to 2018 (With Detail on

Containers and Packaging)	45

Table 29. Products La ndf il led * in Municipal Solid Waste, 1960 to 2018 (With Detail on

Containers and Packaging)	47

Table 30. Selected Examples of Source Reduction Practices	48

Table 31. Households with Residential Food Collection Programs in the U.S., 2018*	50

Table 32. Material Recovery Facilities (MRF), 2018*	51

Table 33. Municipal Waste-To-Energy Projects, 2018	52

Table 34. Landfill Facilities, 2018	53

Table 35. Generation, Recycling, Composting, Combustion with Energy Recovery and Landfilling
of Municipal Solid Waste, 1960 to 2018	54

December 2020	ii


-------
List of Figures

Page

Figure 1. Municipal Solid Waste in the Universe of Subtitle D Wastes	55

Figure 2. Definition of Terms	56

Figure 3. Paper and Paperboard Products Generated in MSW, 2018	57

Figure 4. Paper and Paperboard Generation and Recycling, 1960 to 2018	58

Figure 5. Glass Products Generated in MSW, 2018	59

Figure 6. Glass Generation and Recycling, 1960 to 2018	60

Figure 7. Metal Products Generated in MSW, 2018	61

Figure 8. Metals Generation and Recycling, 1960 to 2018	62

Figure 9. Plastics Products Generated in MSW, 2018	63

Figure 10. Plastics Generation and Recycling, 1960 to 2018	64

Figure 11. Generation of Materials in MSW, 1960 to 2018*	65

Figure 12. Recycled, Composted, Managed By Other Food Pathways, Combustion with Energy
Recovery and Landfilling of Materials in MSW, 1960 to 2018	66

Figure 13. Materials Recycling, Composting and Other Food Management in MSW,* 2018	67

Figure 14. Materials Generated, Combusted with Energy Recovery and Landfilled in MSW, 2018	68

Figure 15. Generation of Products in MSW, 1960 to 2018*	69

Figure 16. Nondurable Goods Generated, Recycled, Combusted with Energy Recovery and
Landfilled in Municipal Solid Waste, 2018	70

Figure 17. Containers and Packaging Materials Generated, Recycled, Combusted with Energy
Recovery and Landfilled in Municipal Solid Waste, 2018	71

Figure 18. Containers and Packaging Products Generated, Recycled, Combusted with Energy
Recovery and Landfilled in Municipal Solid Waste, 2018	72

Figure 19. Diagram of Solid Waste Management	73

Figure 20. States with Bottle Deposit Rules	74

Figure 21. Estimated MRF Throughput, 2018*	75

Figure 22. Mixed Waste Processing Estimated Throughput, 2018*	76

Figure 23. MSW Composting Throughput, 2018*	77

Figure 24. Yard Trimmings Composting Facilities, 2018*	78

Figure 25. Municipal Waste-To-Energy Capacity, 2018	79

Figure 26. Number of Landfills in the U.S., 2018	80

December 2020


-------
Advancing Sustainable Materials Management: Facts and Figures 2018

Table 1. Materials Generated* in the Municipal Waste Stream, 1960 to 2018

(In thousands of tons and percent of total generation)

Materials

Thousands of Tons

1960

1970

1980

1990

2000

2005

2010

2015

2017

2018

Paper and Paperboard

29,990

44,310

55,160

72,730

87,740

84,840

71,310

68,050

67,010

67,390

Glass

6,720

12,740

15,130

13,100

12,770

12,540

11,520

11,470

12,300

12,250

Metals







Ferrous

10,300

12,360

12,620

12,640

14,150

15,210

16,920

18,190

18,890

19,200

Aluminum

340

800

1,730

2,810

3,190

3,330

3,510

3,670

3,820

3,890

Other Nonferrous

180

670

1,160

1,100

1,600

1,860

2,020

2,010

2,510

2,510

Total Metals

10,820

13,830

15,510

16,550

18,940

20,400

22,450

23,870

25,220

25,600

Plastics

390

2,900

6,830

17,130

25,550

29,380

31,400

34,480

35,410

35,680

Rubber and Leather

1,840

2,970

4,200

5,790

6,670

7,290

7,750

8,560

9,110

9,160

Textiles

1,760

2,040

2,530

5,810

9,480

11,510

13,220

16,060

16,890

17,030

Wood

3,030

3,720

7,010

12,210

13,570

14,790

15,710

16,300

18,200

18,090

Other **

70

770

2,520

3,190

4,000

4,290

4,710

4,880

4,630

4,560

Total Materials in Products

54,620

83,280

108,890

146,510

178,720

185,040

178,070

183,670

188,770

189,760

Other Wastes

FoodA

12,200

12,800

13,000

23,860

30,700

32,930

35,740

39,730

40,670

63,130

Yard Trimmings

20,000

23,200

27,500

35,000

30,530

32,070

33,400

34,720

35,180

35,400

Miscellaneous Inorganic Wastes

1,300

1,780

2,250

2,900

3,500

3,690

3,840

3,990

4,040

4,070

Total Other Wastes

33,500

37,780

42,750

61,760

64,730

68,690

72,980

78,440

79,890

102,600

Total MSW Generated - Weight *

88,120

121,060

151,640

208,270

243,450

253,730

251,050

262,110

268,660

292,360

Materials

Percent of Total Generation



1960

1970

1980

1990

2000

2005

2010

2015

2017

2018

Paper and Paperboard

34.0%

36.6%

36.4%

34.9%

36.0%

33.4%

28.4%

26.0%

24.9%

23.1%

Glass

7.6%

10.5%

10.0%

6.3%

5.2%

4.9%

4.6%

4.4%

4.6%

4.2%

Metals



Ferrous

11.7%

10.2%

8.3%

6.1%

5.8%

6.0%

6.7%

6.9%

7.0%

6.6%

Aluminum

0.4%

0.7%

1.1%

1.3%

1.3%

1.3%

1.4%

1.4%

1.4%

1.3%

Other Nonferrous

0.2%

0.6%

0.8%

0.5%

0.7%

0.7%

0.8%

0.8%

1.0%

0.9%

Total Metals

12.3%

11.4%

10.2%

7.9%

7.8%

8.0%

8.9%

9.1%

9.4%

8.8%

Plastics

0.4%

2.4%

4.5%

8.2%

10.5%

11.6%

12.5%

13.2%

13.2%

12.2%

Rubber and Leather

2.1%

2.5%

2.8%

2.8%

2.7%

2.9%

3.1%

3.3%

3.4%

3.1%

Textiles

2.0%

1.7%

1.7%

2.8%

3.9%

4.5%

5.3%

6.1%

6.3%

5.8%

Wood

3.4%

3.1%

4.6%

5.9%

5.6%

5.8%

6.3%

6.2%

6.8%

6.2%

Other **

0.1%

0.6%

1.7%

1.5%

1.6%

1.7%

1.9%

1.8%

1.7%

1.5%

Total Materials in Products

62.0%

68.8%

71.8%

70.3%

73.4%

72.9%

70.9%

70.1%

70.3%

64.9%

Other Wastes



FoodA

13.8%

10.6%

8.6%

11.5%

12.6%

13.0%

14.2%

15.2%

15.1%

21.6%

Yard Trimmings

22.7%

19.2%

18.1%

16.8%

12.5%

12.6%

13.3%

13.2%

13.1%

12.1%

Miscellaneous Inorganic Wastes

1.5%

1.5%

1.5%

1.4%

1.4%

1.5%

1.5%

1.5%

1.5%

1.4%

Total Other Wastes

38.0%

31.2%

28.2%

29.7%

26.6%

27.1%

29.1%

29.9%

29.7%

35.1%

Total MSW Generated - % Y

100.0%

100.0%

100.0%

100.0%

100.0%

100.0%

100.0%

100.0%

100.0%

100.0%

* Generation before materials are recycled, composted, managed by other food pathways, combusted with energy recovery or landfilled. Does not
include construction & demolition debris, industrial process wastes or certain other wastes.

** Includes electrolytes in batteries and fluff pulp, feces and urine in disposable diapers.

A In 2018, the food waste measurement methodology was expanded to include additional sources of generation and management pathways beyond
composting, combustion with energy recovery and landfi I ling. Please see https://www.epa.gov/facts-and-figures-about-materials-waste-and-
recvcling/food-material-specific-data.

¥ Generation rose considerably from 2017 to 2018 mainly because EPA enhanced its food measurement methodology to more fully account for all the
ways wasted food is managed throughout the food system.

December 2020

1


-------
Advancing Sustainable Materials Management: Facts and Figures 2018

Table 2. Materials Recycled,* Composted and Managed by Other Food Pathways

in the Municipal Waste Stream, 1960 to 2018

(In thousands of tons and percent of generation of each material)

Materials

Thousands of Tons



1960

1970

1980

1990

2000

2005

2010

2015

2017

2018

Recycled

Paper and Paperboard

5,080

6,770

11,740

20,230

37,560

41,960

44,570

45,320

44,170

45,970

Glass

100

160

750

2,630

2,880

2,590

3,130

3,190

3,070

3,060

Metals



Ferrous

50

150

370

2,230

4,680

5,020

5,800

6,070

6,170

6,360

Aluminum

Neg.

10

310

1,010

860

690

680

670

600

670

Other Nonferrous

Neg.

320

540

730

1,060

1,280

1,440

1,290

1,710

1,690

Total Metals

50

480

1,220

3,970

6,600

6,990

7,920

8,030

8,480

8,720

Plastics

Neg.

Neg.

20

370

1,480

1,780

2,500

3,120

3,000

3,090

Rubber and Leather

330

250

130

370

820

1,050

1,440

1,550

1,670

1,670

Textiles

50

60

160

660

1,320

1,830

2,050

2,460

2,570

2,510

Wood

Neg.

Neg.

Neg.

130

1,370

1,830

2,280

2,660

3,030

3,100

Other **

Neg.

300

500

680

980

1,210

1,370

1,230

990

970

Total MSW recycled

5,610

8,020

14,520

29,040

53,010

59,240

65,260

67,560

66,980

69,090

Composted

Food - composted

FoodA

Neg.

Neg.

Neg.

Neg.

680

690

970

2,100

2,570

2,590

Yard Trimmings - composted





















Yard Trimmings

Neg.

Neg.

Neg.

4,200

15,770

19,860

19,200

21,290

24,420

22,300

Misc. Inorganic Wastes - composted





















Miscellaneous Inorganic Wastes

Neg.

Neg.

Neg.

Neg.

Neg.

Neg.

Neg.

Neg.

Neg.

Neg.

Total - composted

Neg.

Neg.

Neg.

4,200

16,450

20,550

20,170

23,390

26,990

24,890

Other Food Management

Other Food Management¥

Food - animal feed



















1,820

Food - bio-based
materials/biochemical processing



















1,840

Food - codigestion/anaerobic
digestion



















5,260

Food - donation



















4,790

Food - land application



















260

Food - sewer/wastewater
treatment



















3,740

Total Food - other food management 17,710

Total MSW Recycled and Composted -
Weight

5,610

8,020

14,520

33,240

69,460

79,790

85,430

90,950

93,970

93,980

Total MSW Recycled, Composted and
Other Food Management - Weight



















111,690

Materials

Percent of Generation of Each Material



1960

1970

1980

1990

2000

2005

2010

2015

2017

2018

Recycled

Paper and Paperboard

16.9%

15.3%

21.3%

27.8%

42.8%

49.5%

62.5%

66.6%

65.9%

68.2%

Glass

1.5%

1.3%

5.0%

20.1%

22.6%

20.7%

27.2%

27.8%

25.0%

25.0%

Metals

Ferrous

0.5%

1.2%

2.9%

17.6%

33.1%

33.0%

34.3%

33.4%

32.7%

33.1%

Aluminum

Neg.

1.3%

17.9%

35.9%

27.0%

20.7%

19.4%

18.3%

15.7%

17.2%

Other Nonferrous

Neg.

47.8%

46.6%

66.4%

66.3%

68.8%

71.3%

64.2%

68.1%

67.3%

Total Metals

0.5%

3.5%

7.9%

24.0%

34.8%

34.3%

35.3%

33.6%

33.6%

34.1%

Plastics

Neg.

Neg.

0.3%

2.2%

5.8%

6.1%

8.0%

9.0%

8.5%

8.7%

Rubber and Leather

17.9%

8.4%

3.1%

6.4%

12.3%

14.4%

18.6%

18.1%

18.3%

18.2%

Textiles

2.8%

2.9%

6.3%

11.4%

13.9%

15.9%

15.5%

15.3%

15.2%

14.7%

Wood

Neg.

Neg.

Neg.

1.1%

10.1%

12.4%

14.5%

16.3%

16.6%

17.1%

Other **

Neg.

39.0%

19.8%

21.3%

24.5%

28.2%

29.1%

25.2%

21.4%

21.3%

Total Materials in Products - recycled

10.3%

9.6%

13.3%

19.8%

29.7%

32.0%

36.6%

36.8%

35.5%

36.4%

December 2020

2


-------
Advancing Sustainable Materials Management: Facts and Figures 2018

Table 2. Materials Recycled,* Composted and Managed by Other Food Pathways

in the Municipal Waste Stream, 1960 to 2018

(In thousands of tons and percent of generation of each material)

Materials

Thousands of Tons



1960

1970 J

1980 J

1990

2000

2005

2010

2015

2017

2018

Composted

Food - Composted

FoodA Neg. Neg. Neg. Neg. 2.2% 2.1% 2.7% 5.3% 6.3% 4.1%

Yard Trimmings - Composted

Yard Trimmings Neg. Neg. Neg. 12.0% 51.7% 61.9% 57.5% 61.3% 69.4% 63.0%

Misc. Inorganic Wastes - composted

Miscellaneous Inorganic Wastes Neg.

Neg.

Neg. Neg. Neg.

Neg.

Neg. Neg.

Neg.

Neg.

Total- composted Neg.

Neg.

Neg. 6.8% 25.4%

29.9%

27.6% 29.8%

33.8%

24.3%

Other Food Management

Other Food Management¥

Food - animal feed



















2.9%

Food - bio-based
materials/biochemical processing



















2.9%

Food - codigestion/anaerobic
digestion



















8.3%

Food - donation



















7.6%

Food - land application



















0.4%

Food - sewer/wastewater
treatment



















5.9%

Total Food - other food management



















28.1%

Total MSW Recycled and Composted -

%

6.4%

6.6%

9.6%

16.0%

28.5%

31.4%

34.0%

34.7%

35.0%

32.1%

Total MSW Recycled, Composted and
Other Food Management - %



















38.2%

* Recycling of postconsumer wastes; does not include converting/fabrication scrap. Details may not add to totals due to rounding.

** Collection of electrolytes in batteries; probably not recycled.

Neg = Less than 5,000 tons or 0.05 percent.

A Includes collection of other MSW organics for composting.

¥ In 2018, the food waste measurement methodology was expanded to include additional sources of generation and management pathways beyond
composting, combustion with energy recovery and la ndfi I ling. Please see https://www.epa.gov/facts-and-figures-about-materials-waste-and-
recycling/food-material-specific-data.

December 2020

3


-------
Advancing Sustainable Materials Management: Facts and Figures 2018

Table 3. Materials Combusted with Energy Recovery* in the Municipal Waste

Stream, 1960 to 2018

(In thousands of tons and percent of total combusted)

Materials

Thousands of Tons

1960

1970

1980

1990

2000

2005

2010

2015

2017

2018

Paper and Paperboard



150

860

8,930

9,730

7,800

4,740

4,450

4,490

4,200

Glass



60

300

1,810

1,790

1,660

1,360

1,440

1,650

1,640

Metals



Ferrous



60

250

1,690

1,610

1,640

1,810

2,150

2,290

2,310

Aluminum



0

30

300

390

410

440

510

550

560

Other Nonferrous



0

20

60

50

50

60

60

70

80

Total Metals



60

300

2,050

2,050

2,100

2,310

2,720

2,910

2,950

Plastics



0

140

2,980

4,120

4,330

4,530

5,330

5,590

5,620

Rubber and Leather



10

70

830

1,970

2,110

1,910

2,520

2,490

2,500

Textiles



10

50

880

1,880

2,110

2,270

3,060

3,170

3,220

Wood



10

150

2,080

2,290

2,270

2,310

2,570

2,880

2,840

Other **



0

30

410

540

510

540

670

670

660

Total Materials in Products



300

1,900

19,970

24,370

22,890

19,970

22,760

23,850

23,630

Other Wastes



Food



50

260

4,060

5,820

5,870

6,150

7,380

7,470

7,550

Yard Trimmings



90

550

5,240

2,860

2,220

2,510

2,630

2,110

2,570

Miscellaneous Inorganic Wastes



10

50

490

680

670

680

780

790

800

Total Other Wastes



150

860

9,790

9,360

8,760

9,340

10,790

10,370

10,920

Total MSW Combusted - Weight

45 0

2,760

29,760

33,730

31,650

29,310

33,550

34,220

34,550

Materials

Percent of Total Combusted

1960

1970

1980

1990

2000

2005

2010

2015

2017

2018

Paper and Paperboard



33.3%

31.2%

30.0%

28.8%

24.6%

16.2%

13.3%

13.1%

12.2%

Glass



13.3%

10.9%

6.1%

5.3%

5.2%

4.6%

4.3%

4.8%

4.8%

Metals



Ferrous



13.3%

9.0%

5.7%

4.8%

5.2%

6.2%

6.4%

6.7%

6.7%

Aluminum



0.0%

1.1%

1.0%

1.2%

1.3%

1.5%

1.5%

1.6%

1.6%

Other Nonferrous



0.0%

0.7%

0.2%

0.1%

0.1%

0.2%

0.2%

0.2%

0.2%

Total Metals



13.3%

10.8%

6.9%

6.1%

6.6%

7.9%

8.1%

8.5%

8.5%

Plastics



Neg.

5.1%

10.0%

12.2%

13.7%

15.5%

15.9%

16.3%

16.3%

Rubber and Leather



2.2%

2.5%

2.8%

5.9%

6.7%

6.5%

7.5%

7.3%

7.2%

Textiles



2.2%

1.8%

2.9%

5.6%

6.7%

7.7%

9.1%

9.3%

9.3%

Wood



2.2%

5.4%

7.0%

6.8%

7.2%

7.9%

7.7%

8.4%

8.2%

Other **



Neg.

1.1%

1.4%

1.6%

1.6%

1.8%

2.0%

2.0%

1.9%

Total Materials in Products



66.6%

68.8%

67.1%

72.3%

72.3%

68.1%

67.9%

69.7%

68.4%

Other Wastes



Food



11.1%

9.4%

13.6%

17.3%

18.5%

21.0%

22.0%

21.8%

21.9%

Yard Trimmings



20.0%

20.0%

17.6%

8.5%

7.0%

8.6%

7.8%

6.2%

7.4%

Miscellaneous Inorganic Wastes



2.3%

1.8%

1.7%

1.9%

2.1%

2.3%

2.3%

2.3%

2.3%

Total Other Wastes



33.4%

31.2%

32.9%

27.7%

27.7%

31.9%

32.1%

30.3%

31.6%

Total MSW Combusted with Energy Recovery- %



100.0%

100.0%

100.0%

100.0%

100.0%

100.0%

100.0%

100.0%

100.0%

* Products and materials combusted with energy recovery estimated at percentage total MSW after recycling and composting. In 2018,19.6 percent of
MSW after recycling and composting was combusted with energy recovery except for major appliances, tires and lead-acid batteries (see Table 16 for
details) and food (percentage distribution for food varies by generator sector, see https://www.epa.gov/facts-and-figures-about-materials-waste-and-
recycling/food-material-specific-data). No combustion with energy recovery in 1960 (see Table 35). Does not include construction & demolition debris,
industrial process wastes, or certain other wastes. Details may not add to totals due to rounding.

** Includes electrolytes in batteries and fluff pulp, feces and urine in disposable diapers.

December 2020

4


-------
Advancing Sustainable Materials Management: Facts and Figures 2018

Table 4. Materials Landfilled* in the Municipal Waste Stream, 1960 to 2018
(In thousands of tons and percent of total landfilled)

Materials

Thousands of Tons

1960

1970

1980

1990

2000

2005

2010

2015

2017

2018

Paper and Paperboard

24,910

37,390

42,560

43,570

40,450

35,080

22,000

18,280

18,350

17,220

Glass

6,620

12,520

14,080

8,660

8,100

8,290

7,030

6,840

7,580

7,550

Metals



Ferrous

10,250

12,150

12,000

8,720

7,860

8,550

9,310

9,970

10,430

10,530

Aluminum

340

790

1,390

1,500

1,940

2,230

2,390

2,490

2,670

2,660

Other Nonferrous

180

350

600

310

490

530

520

660

730

740

Total Metals

10,770

13,290

13,990

10,530

10,290

11,310

12,220

13,120

13,830

13,930

Plastics

390

2,900

6,670

13,780

19,950

23,270

24,370

26,030

26,820

26,970

Rubber and Leather

1,510

2,710

4,000

4,590

3,880

4,130

4,400

4,490

4,950

4,990

Textiles

1,710

1,970

2,320

4,270

6,280

7,570

8,900

10,540

11,150

11,300

Wood

3,030

3,710

6,860

10,000

9,910

10,690

11,120

11,070

12,290

12,150

Other **

70

470

1,990

2,100

2,480

2,570

2,800

2,980

2,970

2,930

Total Materials in Products

49,010

74,960

92,470

97,500

101,340

102,910

92,840

93,350

97,940

97,040

Other Wastes



Food

12,200

12,750

12,740

19,800

24,200

26,370

28,620

30,250

30,630

35,280

Yard Trimmings

20,000

23,110

26,950

25,560

11,900

9,990

11,690

10,800

8,650

10,530

Miscellaneous Inorganic
Wastes

1,300

1,770

2,200

2,410

2,820

3,020

3,160

3,210

3,250

3,270

Total Other Wastes

33,500

37,630

41,890

47,770

38,920

39,380

43,470

44,260

42,530

49,080

Total MSW Landfilled -
Weight

82,510

112,590

134,360

145,270

140,260

142,290

136,310

137,610

140,470

146,120

Materials







Percent of Total Landfilled







1960

1970

1980

1990

2000

2005

2010

2015

2017

2018

Paper and Paperboard

30.2%

33.2%

31.7%

30.0%

28.8%

24.7%

16.1%

13.3%

13.1%

11.8%

Glass

8.0%

11.1%

10.5%

6.0%

5.8%

5.8%

5.1%

5.0%

5.4%

5.2%

Metals



Ferrous

12.4%

10.8%

8.9%

6.0%

5.6%

6.0%

6.8%

7.2%

7.4%

7.2%

Aluminum

0.4%

0.7%

1.0%

1.0%

1.4%

1.6%

1.8%

1.8%

1.9%

1.8%

Other Nonferrous

0.2%

0.3%

0.4%

0.2%

0.3%

0.3%

0.4%

0.5%

0.5%

0.5%

Total Metals

13.0%

11.8%

10.3%

7.2%

7.3%

7.9%

9.0%

9.5%

9.8%

9.5%

Plastics

0.5%

2.6%

5.0%

9.5%

14.2%

16.4%

17.9%

18.9%

19.1%

18.5%

Rubber and Leather

1.8%

2.4%

3.0%

3.2%

2.8%

2.9%

3.2%

3.3%

3.5%

3.4%

Textiles

2.1%

1.7%

1.7%

2.9%

4.5%

5.3%

6.5%

7.7%

7.9%

7.7%

Wood

3.7%

3.3%

5.1%

6.9%

7.1%

7.5%

8.2%

8.0%

8.7%

8.3%

Other **

0.1%

0.4%

1.5%

1.4%

1.8%

1.8%

2.1%

2.2%

2.2%

2.0%

Total Materials in Products

59.4%

66.6%

68.8%

67.1%

72.3%

72.3%

68.1%

67.9%

69.7%

66.4%

Other Wastes



Food

14.8%

11.3%

9.5%

13.6%

17.3%

18.5%

21.0%

22.0%

21.8%

24.1%

Yard Trimmings

24.2%

20.5%

20.1%

17.6%

8.5%

7.0%

8.6%

7.8%

6.2%

7.2%

Miscellaneous Inorganic
Wastes

1.6%

1.6%

1.6%

1.7%

1.9%

2.2%

2.3%

2.3%

2.3%

2.3%

Total Other Wastes

40.6%

33.4%

31.2%

32.9%

27.7%

27.7%

31.9%

32.1%

30.3%

33.6%

Total MSW Landfilled - %

100.0%

100.0%

100.0%

100.0%

100.0%

100.0%

100.0%

100.0%

100.0%

100.0%

Landfilling after recycling, composting, other food management pathways and combustion with energy recovery. Does not include construction &
demolition debris, industrial process wastes or certain other wastes. Details may not add to totals due to rounding.

Includes electrolytes in batteries and fluff pulp, feces and urine in disposable diapers.

December 2020

5


-------
Advancing Sustainable Materials Management: Facts and Figures 2018

Table 5. Paper and Paperboard Products In MSW, 2018
(In thousands of tons and percent of generation)

Product Category

Generation

Recycled

Combusted
with Energy
Recovery

Landfilled



(Thousand
tons)

(Thousand
tons)

(Percent of
generation)

(Thousand
tons)

(Thousand
tons)

Nondurable Goods











Newspapers/Mechanical Paperst

5,050

3,270

64.8%

350

1,430

Books

690









Magazines

980









Office-type Papers*

3,970









Marketing Mail**

3,670









Other Commercial Printing

2,000









Tissue Paper and Towels

3,790









Paper Plates and Cups

1,420









Other Nonpackaging Paper***

3,920









Subtotal Nondurable Goods
excluding Newspaper/Mechanical
Papers§

20,440

8,810

43.1%

2,280

9,350

Total Paper and Paperboard
Nondurable Goods

25,490

12,080

47.4%

2,630

10,780



Containers and Packaging











Corrugated Boxes

33,260

32,090

96.5%

230

940

Gable Top/Aseptic Cartons^

630









Folding Cartons

5,370









Other Paperboard Packaging

50









Bags and Sacks

1,090









Other Paper Packaging

1,500









Subtotal Containers and Packaging
excluding Corrugated Boxes§

8,640

1,800

20.8%

1,340

5,500

Total Paper and Paperboard
Containers and Packaging

41,900

33,890

80.9%

1,570

6,440



Total Paper and Paperboard

67,390 45,970 68.2% 4,200 17,220

+ Starting in 2010, newsprint and groundwood inserts expanded to include directories and other mechanical papers previously

counted as Other Commercial Printing.

* High-grade papers such as copy paper and printer paper; both residential and commercial.

** Formerly called Third Class Mail and Standard Mail by the U.S. Postal Service.

*** Includes paper in games and novelties, cards, etc.

§ Valid default values for separating out paper and paperboard sub-categories for recycling, combustion with energy recovery and

landfilling from subtotal mixed paper were not available,
t Includes milk, juice, and other products packaged in gable top cartons and liquid food aseptic cartons.

Neg. = Less than 5,000 tons or 0.05 percent.

December 2020

6


-------
Advancing Sustainable Materials Management: Facts and Figures 2018

Table 6. Glass Products in MSW, 2018
(In thousands of tons and percent of generation)









Combusted











with Energy



Product Category

Generation

Recycled

Recovery

Landfilled



(Thousand

(Thousand

(Percent of

(Thousand

(Thousand



tons)

tons)

generation)

tons)

tons)

Durable Goods*

2,460

Neg.

Neg.

330

2,130

Containers and Packaging

Beer and Soft Drink Bottles**

4,650

1,840

39.6%

550

2,260

Wine and Liquor Bottles

1,810

720

39.8%

210

880

Other Bottles and Jars

3,330

500

15.0%

550

2,280

Total Glass Containers

9,790

3,060

31.3%

1,310

5,420

Total Glass

12,250

3,060

25.0%

1,640

7,550

Glass as a component of appliances, furniture, consumer electronics, etc.

Includes carbonated drinks and non-carbonated water, teas, flavored drinks and ready-to-drink alcoholic coolers and cocktails.
Neg. = Less than 5,000 tons or 0.05 percent.

Details may not add to totals due to rounding.

December 2020

7


-------
Advancing Sustainable Materials Management: Facts and Figures 2018

Table 7. Metal Products in MSW, 2018

(In thousands of tons and percent of generation)









Combusted











with Energy



Product Category

Generation

Recycled

Recovery

Landfilled



(Thousand

(Thousand

(Percent of

(Thousand

(Thousand



tons)

tons)

generation)

tons)

tons)

Durable Goods











Ferrous Metals*

16,990

4,730

27.8%

2,200

10,060

Aluminum**

1,750

NA

NA

270

1,480

Lead+

1,710

1,690

98.8%



20

Other Nonferrous Metalst

800

Neg.

Neg.

80

720

Total Metals in Durable Goods

21,250

6,420

30.2%

2,550

12,280

Nondurable Goods

Aluminum

220

NA

NA

40

180

Containers and Packaging

Steel

Cans

1,580

1,120

70.9%

90

370

Other Steel Packaging

630

510

81.0%

20

100

Total Steel Packaging

2,210

1,630

73.8%

110

440

Aluminum

Beer and Soft Drink Cans§

1,330

670

50.4%

130

530

Other Cans

80

NA

NA

20

60

Foil and Closures

510

NA

NA

100

410

Total Aluminum Packaging

1,920

670

34.9%

250

1,000

Total Metals in Containers and
Packaging

4,130

2,300

55.7%

360

1,470

Total Metals

25,600

8,720

34.1%

2,950

13,930

Ferrous

19,200

6,360

33.1%

2,310

10,530

Aluminum

3,890

670

17.2%

560

2,660

Other nonferrous

2,510

1,690

67.3%

80

740

* Ferrous metals (iron and steel) in appliances, furniture, tires and miscellaneous durables.
** Aluminum in appliances, furniture and miscellaneous durables.

+ Lead in lead-acid batteries.

t Other nonferrous metals in appliances and miscellaneous durables.

§ Aluminum can recycling does not include used beverage cans imported to produce new beverage cans.
NA = Not Available

Details may not add to totals due to rounding.

December 2020

8


-------
Advancing Sustainable Materials Management: Facts and Figures 2018

Table 8. Plastics in Products In MSW, 2018
(In thousands of tons and percent of generation by resin)

Product Category

Generation

Recycled *

Combusted
with energy
Recovery

Landfilled



(Thousand
tons)

(Thousand
tons)

(Percent of
generation)

(Thousand
tons)

(Thousand
tons)

Durable Goods











PET

660









HDPE

1,590









PVC

180









LDPE/LLDPE

2,130









PP

4,590









PS

760









Other resins

3,780









Total Plastics in Durable Goods

13,690

930

6.8%

1,740

11,020

Nondurable Goods*

Plastic Plates and Cups§











LDPE/LLDPE

20









PLA

30









PP

160









PS

820









Subtotal Plastic Plates and Cups

1,030

Neg.

Neg.

200

830

Trash Bags











HDPE

230









LDPE/LLDPE

1,000









Subtotal Trash Bags

1,230





240

990

All other nondurables**











PET

770









HDPE

690









PVC

270









LDPE/LLDPE

1,710









PLA

40









PP

1,570









PS

130









Other resins

20









Subtotal All Other Nondurables

5,200

180

3.5%

980

4,040

Total Plastics in Nondurable Goods, by
resin

PET

770









HDPE

920









PVC

270









LDPE/LLDPE

2,730









PLA

70









PP

1,730









PS

950









Other resins

20









Total Plastics in Nondurable Goods

7,460

180

2.4%

1,420

5,860

December 2020

9


-------
Advancing Sustainable Materials Management: Facts and Figures 2018

Table 8. Plastics in Products In MSW, 2018
(In thousands of tons and percent of generation by resin)







Combusted









with energy



Product Category

Generation

Recycled *

Recovery

Landfilled



(Thousand

(Thousand (Percent of

(Thousand

(Thousand



tons)

tons) generation)

tons)

tons)

Plastic Containers & Packaging

Bottles and Jars***











PET

3,130

910

29.1%

440

1,780

Natural Bottlest











HDPE

750

220

29.3%

100

430

Other plastic containers











HDPE

1,600

290

18.1%





PVC

20

Neg.







LDPE/LLDPE

40

Neg.







PP

250

20

8.0%





PS

80

Neg.







Subtotal Other Containers

1,990

310

15.6%

330

1,350

Bags, sacks and wraps











HDPE

640

50

7.8%





PVC

70









LDPE/LLDPE

2,780

370

13.3%





PP

570









PS

140









Subtotal Bags, Sacks and Wraps

4,200

420

10.0%

740

3,040

V

Other Plastics Packaging











PET

730

70

9.6%





HDPE

800

Neg.







PVC

300

Neg.







LDPE/LLDPE

910

Neg.







PLA

20

Neg.







PP

1,010

30

3.0%





PS

330

20

6.1%





Other resins

360

Neg.







Subtotal Other Packaging

4,460

120

2.7%

850

3,490

Total Plastics in Containers & Packaging, by
resin











PET

3,860

980

25.4%





HDPE

3,790

560

14.8%





PVC

390

Neg.







LDPE/LLDPE

3,730

370

9.9%





PLA

20

Neg.







PP

1,830

50

2.7%





PS

550

20

3.6%





Other resins

360

Neg.







Total Plastics in Containers & Packaging

14,530

1,980

13.6%

2,460

10,090

December 2020

10


-------
Advancing Sustainable Materials Management: Facts and Figures 2018

Table 8. Plastics in Products In MSW, 2018
(In thousands of tons and percent of generation by resin)

Product Category

Generation

Recycled *

Combusted
with energy
Recovery

Landfilled



(Thousand
tons)

(Thousand
tons)

(Percent of
generation)

(Thousand
tons)

(Thousand
tons)

Total Plastics in MSW, by resin











PET

5,290

980

18.5%





HDPE

6,300

560

8.9%





PVC

840

Neg.







LDPE/LLDPE

8,590

370

4.3%





PLA

90

Neg.







PP

8,150

50

0.6%





PS

2,260

20

0.9%





Other resins

4,160

1,110

26.7%





Total Plastics in MSW

35,680

3,090

8.7%

5,620

26,970

* Mechanical and non-mechanical recycling,
t Nondurable goods other than containers and packaging.

§ Due to source data aggregation, PET cups are included in "Other Plastic Packaging".

** All other nondurables include plastics in disposable diapers, clothing, footwear, etc.

*** Injection stretch blow molded PET containers as identified in Report on Postconsumer PET Container Recycling Activity in 2017.
National Association for PET Container Resources. Recycling includes caps, lids and other material collected with PET bottles and
jars.

f White translucent homopolymer bottles as defined in the 2017 United States National Postconsumer Plastics Bottles Recycling

Report. American Chemistry Council and the Association of Postconsumer Plastic Recyclers.

¥ Other plastic packaging includes coatings, closures, lids, caps, clamshells, egg cartons, produce baskets, trays, shapes, loose fill, etc.
PP and HDPE caps and lids recycled with PET bottles and jars are included in the recycling estimate for PET bottles and jars.

Other resins include commingled/undefined plastic packaging recycling.

Some detail of recycling by resin omitted due to lack of data.

Neg. = negligible, less than 5,000 tons

HDPE = High density polyethylene	PET = Polyethylene terephthalate	PS = Polystyrene

LDPE = Low density polyethylene	PP = Polypropylene	PVC = Polyvinyl chloride

LLDPE = Linear low density polyethylene PLA = Polylactide

December 2020

11


-------
Advancing Sustainable Materials Management: Facts and Figures 2018

Table 9. Rubber and Leather Products In MSW, 2018
(In thousands of tons and percent of generation)



Generation

Recycled

Combusted with
energy Recovery

Landfilled



(Thousand tons)

(Thousand
tons)

(Percent of
generation)

(Thousand
tons)

(Thousand
tons)

Durable Goods

Rubber in Tires*

4,180

1,670

40.0%

1,730

780

Other Durables**

3,800

Neg.

Neg.

540

3,260

Total Rubber and Leather











Durable Goods

7,980

1,670

20.9%

2,270

4,040

Nondurable Goods

Clothing and Footwear

900

Neg.

Neg.

180

720

Other Nondurables

280

Neg.

Neg.

50

230

Total Rubber and Leather











Nondurable Goods

1,180

Neg.

Neg.

230

950

Total Rubber and Leather

9,160

1,670

18.2%

2,500

4,990

Automobile and truck tires. Does not include other materials in tires.
Includes carpets and rugs and other miscellaneous durables.
Neg. = Less than 5,000 tons or 0.05 percent.

Details may not add to totals due to rounding.

December 2020

12


-------
Advancing Sustainable Materials Management: Facts and Figures 2018

Table 10. Products Generated* in the Municipal Waste Stream, 1960 to 2018

(In thousands of tons and percent of total generation)

Products

Thousands of Tons



1960

1970

1980

1990

2000

2005

2010

2015

2017

2018

Durable Goods

9,920

14,660

21,800

29,810

38,870

45,060

49,350

53,940

56,870

57,100

(Detail in Table 14)



Nondurable Goods

17,330

25,060

34,420

52,170

64,010

63,650

53,250

51,810

50,700

50,440

(Detail in Table 18)



Containers and Packaging

27,370

43,560

52,670

64,530

75,840

76,330

75,470

77,920

81,200

82,220

Detail in Table 22)





















Total Product Wastes

54,620

83,280

108,890

146,510

178,720

185,040

178,070

183,670

188,770

189,760

Other Wastes





















FoodA

12,200

12,800

13,000

23,860

30,700

32,930

35,740

39,730

40,670

63,130

Yard Trimmings

20,000

23,200

27,500

35,000

30,530

32,070

33,400

34,720

35,180

35,400

Miscellaneous Inorganic
Wastes

1,300

1,780

2,250

2,900

3,500

3,690

3,840

3,990

4,040

4,070

Total Other Wastes

33,500

37,780

42,750

61,760

64,730

68,690

72,980

78,440

79,890

102,600

Total MSW Generated - Weight

88,120

121,060

151,640

208,270

243,450

253,730

251,050

262,110

268,660

292,360



Products

Percent of Total Generation



1960

1970

1980

1990

2000

2005

2010

2015

2017

2018

Durable Goods

11.3%

12.1%

14.4%

14.3%

16.0%

17.8%

19.7%

20.6%

21.2%

19.5%

(Detail in Table 14)

Nondurable Goods

19.7%

20.7%

22.7%

25.0%

26.3%

25.1%

21.2%

19.8%

18.9%

17.3%

(Detail in Table 18)

Containers and Packaging

31.1%

36.0%

34.7%

31.0%

31.2%

30.1%

30.1%

29.7%

30.2%

28.1%

(Detail in Table 23)

Total Product Wastes

62.0%

68.8%

71.8%

70.3%

73.4%

72.9%

70.9%

70.1%

70.3%

64.9%

Other Wastes



FoodA

13.8%

10.6%

8.6%

11.5%

12.6%

13.0%

14.2%

15.2%

15.1%

21.6%

Yard Trimmings

22.7%

19.2%

18.1%

16.8%

12.5%

12.6%

13.3%

13.2%

13.1%

12.1%

Miscellaneous Inorganic
Wastes

1.5%

1.5%

1.5%

1.4%

1.4%

1.5%

1.5%

1.5%

1.5%

1.4%

Total Other Wastes

38.0%

31.2%

28.2%

29.7%

26.6%

27.1%

29.1%

29.9%

29.7%

35.1%

Total MSW Generated - %

100.0%

100.0%

100.0%

100.0%

100.0%

100.0%

100.0%

100.0%

100.0%

100.0%

Generation before materials are recycled, composted, managed by other food pathways, combusted with energy recovery or landfilled. Does not
include construction & demolition debris, industrial process wastes or certain other wastes. Details may not add to totals due to rounding.

In 2018, the food waste measurement methodology was expanded to include additional sources of generation and management pathways beyond
composting, combustion with energy recovery and landfilling. Please see https://www.epa.gov/facts-and-figures-about-materials-waste-and-
recycling/food-material-specific-data

December 2020

13


-------
Advancing Sustainable Materials Management: Facts and Figures 2018

Table 11. Products Recycled,* Composted and Managed by Other Food
Pathways in the Municipal Solid Waste Stream, 1960 TO 2018

(In thousands of tons and percent of generation of each product)

Products

Thousands of Tons



1960

1970

1980

1990

2000

2005

2010

2015

2017

2018

Recycled

Durable Goods

350

940

1,360

3,460

6,580

7,970

9,390

9,880

10,550

10,570

(Detail in Table 15)

Nondurable Goods

2,390

3,730

4,670

8,800

17,560

19,770

19,190

16,190

16,290

14,190

(Detail in Table 19)

Containers and Packaging

2,870

3,350

8,490

16,780

28,870

31,500

36,680

41,490

40,140

44,330

Detail in Table 24)

1

Total Product Wastes - recycled

5,610

8,020

14,520

29,040

53,010

59,240

65,260

67,560

66,980

69,090

Composted

Food - composted





















FoodA

Neg.

Neg.

Neg.

Neg.

680

690

970

2,100

2,570

2,590

Yard Trimmings - composted





















Yard Trimmings

Neg.

Neg.

Neg.

4,200

15,770

19,860

19,200

21,290

24,420

22,300

Misc. Inorganic Wastes - composted





















Miscellaneous Inorganic Wastes

Neg.

Neg.

Neg.

Neg.

Neg.

Neg.

Neg.

Neg.

Neg.

Neg.

Total - composted

Neg.

Neg.

Neg.

4,200

16,450

20,550

20,170

23,390

26,990

24,890

Other Food Management

Other Food Management¥





















Food - animal feed



















1,820

Food - bio-based
materials/biochemical processing



















1,840

Food - codigestion/anaerobic
digestion



















5,260

Food - donation



















4,790

Food - land application



















260

Food - sewer/wastewater treatment



















3,740

Total Food - other food management



















17,710

Total MSW Recycled and Composted -
Weight

5,610

8,020

14,520

33,240

69,460

79,790

85,430

90,950

93,970

93,980

Total MSW Recycled, Composted and
Other Food Management - Weight



















111,690

Products







Percent of Total Generation









1960

1970

1980

1990

2000

2005

2010

2015

2017

2018

Recycled

Durable Goods

3.5%

6.4%

6.2%

11.6%

16.9%

17.7%

19.0%

18.3%

18.6%

18.5%

(Detail in Table 15)

Nondurable Goods

13.8%

14.9%

13.6%

16.9%

27.4%

31.1%

36.0%

31.2%

32.1%

28.1%

(Detail in Table 19)

Containers and Packaging

10.5%

7.7%

16.1%

26.0%

38.1%

41.3%

48.6%

53.2%

49.4%

53.9%

Detail in Table 24)

	 1

Total Product Wastes - recycled

10.3%

9.6%

13.3%

19.8%

29.7%

32.0%

36.6%

36.8%

35.5%

36.4%

Composted

Composted - Food





















FoodA

Neg.

Neg.

Neg.

Neg.

2.2%

2.1%

2.7%

5.3%

6.3%

4.1%

Composted - Yard Trimmings





















Yard Trimmings

Neg.

Neg.

Neg.

12.0%

51.7%

61.9%

57.5%

61.3%

69.4%

63.0%

Composted - Misc. Inorganic Wastes





















Miscellaneous Inorganic Wastes

Neg.

Neg.

Neg.

Neg.

Neg.

Neg.

Neg.

Neg.

Neg.

Neg.

Total - composted

Neg.

Neg.

Neg.

6.8%

25.4%

29.9%

27.6%

29.8%

33.8%

24.3%

December 2020

14


-------
Advancing Sustainable Materials Management: Facts and Figures 2018

Table 11. Products Recycled,* Composted and Managed by Other Food
Pathways in the Municipal Solid Waste Stream, 1960 TO 2018

(In thousands of tons and percent of generation of each product)

Products

Thousands of Tons



1960

1970

1980

1990

2000

2005

2010

2015

2017

2018

Other Food Management

Other Food Management¥





















Food - animal feed



















2.9%

Food - bio-based
materials/biochemical processing



















2.9%

Food - codigestion/anaerobic
digestion



















8.3%

Food - donation



















7.6%

Food - land application



















0.4%

Food - sewer/wastewater treatment



















5.9%

Total Food - other food management



















28.1%

Total MSW Recycled and Composted - %

6.4%

6.6%

9.6%

16.0%

28.5%

31.4%

34.0%

34.7%

35.0%

32.1%

Total MSW Recycled, Composted and
Other Food Management - %



















38.2%

* Recycling of postconsumer wastes; does not include converting/fabrication scrap. Details may not add to totals due to rounding.

A Includes collection of other MSW organics for composting.

¥ In 2018, the food waste measurement methodology was expanded to include additional sources of generation and management pathways beyond
composting, combustion with energy recovery and la ndfi I ling. Please see https://www.epa.gov/facts-and-figures-about-materials-waste-and-
recycling/food-material-specific-data
Neg. = Less than 5,000 tons or 0.05 percent.

December 2020

15


-------
Advancing Sustainable Materials Management: Facts and Figures 2018

Table 12. Products Combusted with Energy Recovery* in the Municipal Waste

Stream, 1960 to 2018

(In thousands of tons and percent of total combusted)

Products

Thousands of Tons



1960



1970

1980

1990

2000

2005

2010

2015

2017

2018

Durable Goods





60

440

4,480

6,260

6,750

7,070

8,640

9,080

9,120

(Detail in Table 16)



Nondurable Goods





90

580

7,380

9,000

7,980

6,030

6,960

6,720

7,090

(Detail in Table 20)























Containers and Packaging





150

880

8,110

9,110

8,160

6,870

7,160

8,050

7,420

Detail in Table 26)























Total Product Wastes

300

1,900

19,970

24,370

22,890

19,970

22,760

23,850

23,630

Other Wastes

Food



50

260

4,060

5,820

5,870

6,150

7,380

7,470

7,550

Yard Trimmings



90

550

5,240

2,860

2,220

2,510

2,630

2,110

2,570

Miscellaneous Inorganic Wastes



10

50

490

680

670

680

780

790

800

Total Other Wastes



150

860

9,790

9,360

8,760

9,340

10,790

10,370

10,920

Total MSW Combusted with Energy Recovery -
Weight



45 0

2,760

29,760

33,730

31,650

29,310

33,550

34,220

34,550

Products

Percent of Total Combusted



1960



1970

1980

1990

2000

2005

2010

2015

2017

2018

Durable Goods





13.3%

15.9%

15.1% 18.6%

21.3%

24.1%

25.8% 26.5%

26.4%

(Detail in Table 16)

Nondurable Goods





19.9%

21.0%

24.8%

26.7%

25.2%

20.6%

20.7%

19.7%

20.5%

(Detail in Table 20)

Containers and Packaging





33.3%

31.9%

27.3%

27.0%

25.8%

23.4%

21.4%

23.4%

21.5%

(Detail in Table 27)

Total Product Wastes





66.6%

68.8%

67.1%

72.3%

72.3%

68.1%

67.9%

69.7%

68.4%

Other Wastes



Food



11.1%

9.4%

13.6%

17.3%

18.5%

21.0%

22.0%

21.8%

21.9%

Yard Trimmings



20.0%

20.0%

17.6%

8.5%

7.0%

8.6%

7.8%

6.2%

7.4%

Miscellaneous Inorganic Wastes



2.3%

1.8%

1.7%

1.9%

2.1%

2.3%

2.3%

2.3%

2.3%

Total Other Wastes



33.4%

31.2%

32.9%

27.7%

27.7%

31.9%

32.1%

30.3%

31.6%

Total MSW Combusted with Energy Recovery -

%



100.0%

100.0%

100.0%

100.0%

100.0%

100.0%

100.0%

100.0%

100.0%

Products and materials combusted with energy recovery estimated at percentage total MSW after recycling and composting. In 2018, 19.6 percent
of MSW after recycling and composting was combusted with energy recovery except for major appliances, tires and lead-acid batteries (see Table 16
for details) and food (percentage distribution for food varies by generator sector, see https://www.epa.gov/facts-and-figures-about-materials-
waste-and-recycling/food-material-specific-data). Does not include construction & demolition debris, industrial process wastes or certain other
wastes. Details may not add to totals due to rounding.

Neg. = Less than 5,000 tons or 0.05 percent.

December 2020

16


-------
Advancing Sustainable Materials Management: Facts and Figures 2018

Table 13. Products Landfilled* in the Municipal Waste Stream, 1960 to 2018
(In thousands of tons and percent of total landfilled)

Products









Thousands of Tons











1960

1970

1980

1990

2000

2005

2010

2015

2017

2018

Durable Goods

9,570 13,660 20,000 21,870 26,030

30,340

32,890

35,420

37,240

37,410

(Detail in Table 17



Nondurable Goods

14,940

21,240

29,170

35,990

37,450

35,900

28,030

28,660

27,690

29,160

(Detail in Table 21)



Containers and Packaging

24,500

40,060

43,300

39,640

37,860

36,670

31,920

29,270

33,010

30,470

Detail in Table 28)





















Total Product Wastes

49,010

74,960

92,470

97,500

101,340

102,910

92,840

93,350

97,940

97,040

Other Wastes



Food

12,200

12,750

12,740

19,800

24,200

26,370

28,620

30,250

30,630

35,280

Yard Trimmings

20,000

23,110

26,950

25,560

11,900

9,990

11,690

10,800

8,650

10,530

Miscellaneous Inorganic Wastes

1,300

1,770

2,200

2,410

2,820

3,020

3,160

3,210

3,250

3,270

Total Other Wastes

33,500

37,630

41,890

47,770

38,920

39,380

43,470

44,260

42,530

49,080

Total MSW Landfilled - Weight

82,510

112,590

134,360

145,270

140,260

142,290

136,310

137,610

140,470

146,120

Products









Percent of Total Landfilled









1960

1970

1980

1990

2000

2005

2010

2015

2017

2018

Durable Goods

11.6%

12.1%

14.9%

15.0%

18.6%

21.3%

24.1%

25.7%

26.5%

25.6%

(Detail in Table 17)

Nondurable Goods

18.1%

18.9%

21.7%

24.8%

26.7%

25.2%

20.6%

20.8%

19.7%

19.9%

(Detail in Table 21)

Containers and Packaging

29.7%

35.6%

32.2%

27.3%

27.0%

25.8%

23.4%

21.4%

23.5%

20.9%

(Detail in Table 29)

Total Product Wastes

5 9.4%

66.6%

68.8%

67.1%

72.3%

72.3%

68.1%

67.9%

69.7%

66.4%

Other Wastes



Food

14.8%

11.3%

9.5%

13.6%

17.3%

18.5%

21.0%

22.0%

21.8%

24.1%

Yard Trimmings

24.2%

20.5%

20.1%

17.6%

8.5%

7.0%

8.6%

7.8%

6.2%

7.2%

Miscellaneous Inorganic Wastes

1.6%

1.6%

1.6%

1.7%

1.9%

2.2%

2.3%

2.3%

2.3%

2.3%

Total Other Wastes

40.6%

33.4%

31.2%

32.9%

27.7%

27.7%

31.9%

32.1%

30.3%

33.6%

Total MSW Landfilled - %

100.0%

100.0%

100.0%

100.0%

100.0%

100.0%

100.0%

100.0%

100.0%

100.0%

Landfilling after recycling, composting, other food management pathways and combustion with energy recovery. Does not include construction &
demolition debris, industrial process wastes or certain other wastes. Details may not add to totals due to rounding.

Neg. = Less than 5,000 tons or 0.05 percent.

December 2020

17


-------
Advancing Sustainable Materials Management: Facts and Figures 2018

Table 14. Products Generated* in the Municipal Waste Stream, 1960 to 2018

(With Detail On Durable Goods)

(In thousands of tons and percent of total generation)

Products

Thousands of Tons



| 1960

1970

1980

1990

2000

2005

2010

2015

2017

2018





Major Appliances

1,630

2,170

2,950

3,310

3,640

3,610

4,020

4,860

5,160

5,250

Small Appliances**







460

1,040

1,180

1,830

2,050

2,120

2,160

Furniture and Furnishings

2,150

2,830

4,760

6,790

8,120

9,340

10,820

12,050

12,210

12,080

Carpets and Rugs**







1,660

2,460

2,960

3,720

3,630

3,390

3,370

Rubber Tires

1,120

1,890

2,720

3,610

4,930

4,910

5,130

5,970

6,540

6,530

Batteries, Lead-Acid

Neg.

820

1,490

1,510

2,280

2,750

3,020

2,700

2,940

2,900

Miscellaneous Durables





















Selected Consumer Electronics***









1,900

2,630

3,120

3,100

2,840

2,700

Other Miscellaneous Durables









14,500

17,680

17,690

19,580

21,670

22,110

Total Miscellaneous Durables

5,020

6,950

9,880

12,470

16,400

20,310

20,810

22,680

24,510

24,810

Total Durable Goods

9,920

14,660

21,800

29,810

38,870

45,060

49,350

53,940

56,870

5 7,100

Nondurable Goods

17,330

25,060

34,420

52,170

64,010

63,650

53,250

51,810

50,700

50,440

(Detail in Table 18)











(Detail in Table 22)

Total Product Wastes 54,620

83,280

108,890

146,510

178,720

185,040

178,070

183,670

188,770

189,760

Other Wastes



FoodA

12,200

12,800

13,000

23,860

30,700

32,930

35,740

39,730

40,670

63,130

Yard Trimmings

20,000

23,200

27,500

35,000

30,530

32,070

33,400

34,720

35,180

35,400

Miscellaneous Inorganic Wastes

1,300

1,780

2,250

2,900

3,500

3,690

3,840

3,990

4,040

4,070

Total Other Wastes

33,500

37,780

42,750

61,760

64,730

68,690

72,980

78,440

79,890

102,600

Total MSW Generated - Weight

88,120

121,060

151,640

208,270

243,450

253,730

251,050

262,110

268,660

292,360

Products





1960

1970

1980

1990

2000

2005

2010

2015

2017

2018





Major Appliances

1.8%

1.8%

1.9%

1.6%

1.5%

1.4%

1.6%

1.9%

1.9%

1.8%

Small Appliances**







0.2%

0.4%

0.5%

0.7%

0.8%

0.8%

0.7%

Furniture and Furnishings

2.4%

2.3%

3.1%

3.3%

3.3%

3.7%

4.3%

4.6%

4.5%

4.1%

Carpets and Rugs**







0.8%

1.0%

1.2%

1.5%

1.4%

1.3%

1.2%

Rubber Tires

1.3%

1.6%

1.8%

1.7%

2.0%

1.9%

2.0%

2.3%

2.4%

2.2%

Batteries, Lead-Acid

Neg.

0.7%

1.0%

0.7%

0.9%

1.1%

1.2%

1.0%

1.1%

1.0%

Miscellaneous Durables





















Selected Consumer Electronics***









0.8%

1.0%

1.2%

1.2%

1.1%

0.9%

Other Miscellaneous Durables









6.0%

7.0%

7.0%

7.5%

8.1%

7.6%

Total Miscellaneous Durables

5.7%

5.7%

6.5%

6.0%

6.7%

8.0%

8.3%

8.7%

9.2%

8.5%

Total Durable Goods

11.3%

12.1%

14.4%

14.3%

16.0%

17.8%

19.7%

20.6%

21.2%

19.5%



19.7%

20.7%

22.7%

25.0%

26.3%

25.1%

21.2%

19.8%

18.9%

17.3%

(Detail in Table 18)

31.1% 36.0% 34.7% 31.0% 31.2% 30.1% 30.1% 29.7% 30.2% 28.1%

(Detail in Table 23)

Total Product Wastes

62.0%

68.8%

71.8%

70.3%

73.4%

72.9%

70.9%

70.1%

70.2%

64.9%





FoodA

13.8%

10.6%

8.6%

11.5%

12.6%

13.0%

14.2%

15.2%

15.1%

21.6%

Yard Trimmings

22.7%

19.2%

18.1%

16.8%

12.5%

12.6%

13.3%

13.2%

13.1%

12.1%

Miscellaneous Inorganic Wastes

1.5%

1.5%

1.5%

1.4%

1.4%

1.5%

1.5%

1.5%

1.5%

1.4%

Total Other Wastes

38.0%

31.2%

28.2%

29.7%

26.6%

27.1%

29.1%

29.9%

29.7%

35.1%

100.0%

100.0%

100.0%

100.0%

100.0%

100.0%

100.0%

100.0%

100.0%

100.0%

Generation before materials are recycled, composted, managed by other food pathways, combusted with energy recovery or landfilled. Does not
include construction & demolition debris, industrial process wastes or certain other wastes. Details may not add to totals due to rounding.

Not estimated separately prior to 1990.	***	Not estimated separately prior to 2000.

In 2018, the food waste measurement methodology was expanded to include additional sources of generation and management pathways beyond
composting, combustion with energy recovery and landfilling. Please see https://www.epa.gov/facts-and-figures-about-materials-waste-and-
recycling/food-material-specific-data

December 2020

18


-------
Advancing Sustainable Materials Management: Facts and Figures 2018

Table 15. Products Recycled,* Composted and Managed by Other Food
Pathways in the Municipal Solid Waste Stream, 1960 TO 2018
(With Detail on Durable Goods)

(In thousands of tons and percent of generation of each product)

Products

Thousands of Tons



1960

1970

1980

1990

2000

2005

2010

2015

2017

2018

Recycled

Durable Goods

Major Appliances

10

50

130

1,070

2,000

2,420

2,610

3,000

3,110

3,140

Small Appliances**







10

20

20

120

120

120

120

Furniture and Furnishings

Neg.

Neg.

Neg.

Neg.

Neg.

Neg.

10

10

40

40

Carpets and Rugs**







Neg.

190

250

270

190

280

310

Rubber Tires

330

250

150

440

1,290

1,640

2,270

2,410

2,610

2,610

Batteries, Lead-Acid

Neg.

620

1,040

1,470

2,130

2,640

2,980

2,670

2,910

2,870

Miscellaneous Durables





















Selected Consumer Electronics***









190

360

650

1,230

1,020

1,040

Other Miscellaneous Durables









760

640

480

250

460

440

Total Miscellaneous Durables

10

20

40

470

950

1,000

1,130

1,480

1,480

1,480

Total Durable Goods - recycled

350

940

1,360

3,460

6,580

7,970

9,390

9,880

10,550

10,570

Nondurable Goods - recycled

2,390

3,730

4,670

8,800

17,560

19,770

19,190

16,190

16,290

14,190

(Detail in Table 19)



Containers and Packaging - recycled 2,870 3,350 8,490 16,780 28,870 31,500 36,680 41,490 40,140

44,330

(Detail in Table 24)



Total Product Wastes - recycled 5,610 8,020 14,520 29,040 53,010 59,240 65,260 67,560 66,980

69,090

Composted

Food - composted





















Food - compostedA

Neg.

Neg.

Neg.

Neg.

680

690

970

2,100

2,570

2,590

Yard Trimmings - composted





















Yard Trimmings - composted

Neg.

Neg.

Neg.

4,200

15,770

19,860

19,200

21,290

24,420

22,300

Misc. Inorganic Wastes - composted





















Miscellaneous Inorganic Wastes
composted

Neg.

Neg.

Neg.

Neg.

Neg.

Neg.

Neg.

Neg.

Neg.

Neg.

Total - composted

Neg.

Neg.

Neg.

4,200

16,450

20,550

20,170

23,390

26,990

24,890

Other Food Management



















Other Food Managements





















Food - animal feed



















1,820

Food - bio-based materials/biochemical
processing



















1,840

Food - codigestion/anaerobic digestion



















5,260

Food - donation



















4,790

Food - land application



















260

Food - sewer/wastewater treatment



















3,740

Total Food - other food management



















17,710

Total MSW Recycled and Composted -
Weight

5,610

8,020

14,520

33,240

69,460

79,790

85,430

90,950

93,970

93,980

Total MSW Recycled, Composted and Other
Food Management - Weight



















111,690

Products

Percent of Total Generation



1960

1970

1980

1990

2000

2005

2010

2015

2017

2018

Recycled

Durable Goods

Major Appliances

0.6%

2.3%

4.4%

32.3%

54.9%

67.0%

64.9%

61.7%

60.3%

59.8%

Small Appliances**







2.2%

1.9%

1.7%

6.6%

5.9%

5.7%

5.6%

Furniture and Furnishings

Neg.

Neg.

Neg.

Neg.

Neg.

Neg.

0.1%

0.1%

0.3%

0.3%

Carpets and Rugs**







Neg.

7.7%

8.4%

7.3%

5.2%

8.3%

9.2%

Rubber Tires

29.5%

13.2%

5.5%

12.2%

26.2%

33.4%

44.2%

40.4%

39.9%

40.0%

Batteries, Lead-Acid

Neg.

75.6%

69.8%

97.4%

93.4%

96.0%

98.7%

98.9%

99.0%

99.0%

Miscellaneous Durables





















Selected Consumer Electronics***









10.0%

13.7%

20.8%

39.7%

35.9%

38.5%

Other Miscellaneous Durables









5.2%

3.6%

2.7%

1.3%

2.1%

2.0%

Total Miscellaneous Durables

0.2%

0.3%

0.4%

3.8%

5.8%

4.9%

5.4%

6.5%

6.0%

6.0%

December 2020

19


-------
Advancing Sustainable Materials Management: Facts and Figures 2018

Table 15. Products Recycled,* Composted and Managed by Other Food
Pathways in the Municipal Solid Waste Stream, 1960 TO 2018
(With Detail on Durable Goods)

(In thousands of tons and percent of generation of each product)

Products









Thousands of Tons











1960

1970

1980

1990

2000

2005

2010

2015

2017

2018

Total Durable Goods - recycled

3.5%

6.4%

6.2%

11.6%

16.9%

17.7%

19.0%

18.3%

18.6%

18.5%

Nondurable Goods -recycled

13.8%

14.9%

13.6%

16.9%

27.4%

31.1%

36.0%

31.2%

32.1%

28.1%

(Detail in Table 19)

Containers and Packaging - recycled

10.5%

7.7%

16.1%

26.0%

38.1%

41.3%

48.6%

53.2%

49.4%

53.9%

(Detail in Table 25)

Total Product Wastes - recycled

10.3%

9.6%

13.3%

19.8%

29.7%

32.0%

36.6%

36.8%

35.5%

36.4%

Composted



Composted - Food





















Food - compostedA

Neg.

Neg.

Neg.

Neg.

2.2%

2.1%

2.7%

5.3%

6.3%

4.1%

Composted - Yard Trimmings





















Yard Trimmings

Neg.

Neg.

Neg.

12.0%

51.7%

61.9%

57.5%

61.3%

69.4%

63.0%

Composted - Misc. Inorganic Wastes





















Miscellaneous Inorganic Wastes

Neg.

Neg.

Neg.

Neg.

Neg.

Neg.

Neg.

Neg.

Neg.

Neg.

Total - composted

Neg.

Neg.

Neg.

6.8%

25.4%

29.9%

27.6%

29.8%

33.8%

24.3%

Other Food Management

Other Food Management¥





















Food - animal feed



















2.9%

Food - bio-based materials/biochemical
processing



















2.9%

Food - codigestion/anaerobic digestion



















8.3%

Food - donation



















7.6%

Food - land application



















0.4%

Food - sewer/wastewater treatment



















5.9%

Total Food - other food management



















28.1%

Total MSW Recycled and Composted - %

6.4%

6.6%

9.6%

16.0%

28.5%

31.4%

34.0%

34.7%

35.0%

32.1%

Total MSW Recycled, Composted and Other
Food Management - %



















38.2%

* Recycling of postconsumer wastes; does not include converting/fabrication scrap. Details may not add to totals due to rounding.
** Not estimated separately prior to 1990. + Other than food products.

*** Not estimated separately prior to 2000.

A Includes collection of other MSW organics for composting.

¥ In 2018, the food waste measurement methodology was expanded to include additional sources of generation and management pathways beyond
composting, combustion with energy recovery and la ndfi I ling. Please see https://www.epa.gov/facts-and-figures-about-materials-waste-and-
recycling/food-material-specific-data
Neg. = Less than 5,000 tons or 0.05 percent.

December 2020

20


-------
Advancing Sustainable Materials Management: Facts and Figures 2018

Table 16. Products Combusted with Energy Recovery* in the Municipal Waste

Stream, 1960 to 2018
(With Detail On Durable Goods)

(In thousands of tons and percent of total combusted)

Products

Thousands of Tons



f 1960

1970

1980

1990

2000

2005

2010

2015

2017

2018

Durable Goods



Major Appliances1



0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

Small Appliances**







90

200

200

310

380

390

400

Furniture and Furnishings



Neg.

90

1,150

1,570

1,700

1,910

2,350

2,380

2,360

Carpets and Rugs**







290

440

490

610

670

610

600

Rubber Tires§



Neg.

30

400

2,260

2,390

2,000

2,840

2,710

2,710

Batteries, Lead-Acid1



0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

Miscellaneous Durables





















Selected Consumer Electronics





















Other Miscellaneous Durables





















Total Miscellaneous Durables§



60

320

2,550

1,790

1,970

2,240

2,400

2,990

3,050

Total Durable Goods



60

040

4,480

6,260

6,750

7,070

8,640

9,080

9,120

Nondurable Goods



90

580

7,380

9,000

7,980

6,030

6,960

6,720

7,090

(Detail in Table 20)



Containers and Packaging



150

880

8,110

9,110

8,160

6,870

7,160

8,050

7,420

(Detail in Table 26)



Total Product Wastes 300

1,900

19,970

24,370

22,890

19,970

22,760

23,850

23,630

Other Wastes



Food



50

260

4,060

5,820

5,870

6,150

7,380

7,470

7,550

Yard Trimmings



90

550

5,240

2,860

2,220

2,510

2,630

2,110

2,570

Miscellaneous Inorganic Wastes



10

50

490

680

670

680

780

790

800

Total Other Wastes



150

860

9,790

9,360

8,760

9,340

10,790

10,370

10,920

Total MSW Combusted with Energy Recovery -
Weight



45 0

2,760

29,760

33,730

31,650

29,310

33,550

34,220

34,550



Products

Percent of Total Combusted



f 1960

1970

1980

1990

2000

2005

2010

2015

2017

2018

Durable Goods



Major Appliances1



0.0%

0.0%

0.0%

0.0%

0.0%

0.0%

0.0%

0.0%

0.0%

Small Appliances**







0.3%

0.6%

0.6%

1.1%

1.1%

1.1%

1.2%

Furniture and Furnishings



Neg.

3.3%

3.9%

4.7%

5.4%

6.5%

7.0%

7.0%

6.8%

Carpets and Rugs**







1.0%

1.3%

1.5%

2.1%

2.0%

1.8%

1.7%

Rubber Tires§



Neg.

1.1%

1.3%

6.7%

7.6%

6.8%

8.5%

7.9%

7.8%

Batteries, Lead-Acid1



0.0%

0.0%

0.0%

0.0%

0.0%

0.0%

0.0%

0.0%

0.0%

Miscellaneous Durables





















Selected Consumer Electronics





















Other Miscellaneous Durables





















Total Miscellaneous Durables§



13.3%

11.6%

8.6%

5.3%

6.2%

7.6%

7.2%

8.7%

8.8%

Total Durable Goods



13.3%

15.9%

15.1%

18.6%

21.3%

24.1%

25.8%

26.5%

26.4%

Nondurable Goods



19.9%

21.0%

24.8%

26.7%

25.2%

20.6%

20.7%

19.7%

20.5%

(Detail in Table 20)

Containers and Packaging



33.3%

31.9%

27.3%

27.0%

25.8%

23.4%

21.4%

23.4%

21.5%

(Detail in Table 27)

Total Product Wastes



66.6%

68.8%

67.1%

72.3%

72.3%

68.1%

67.9%

69.7%

68.4%

December 2020

21


-------
Advancing Sustainable Materials Management: Facts and Figures 2018

Table 16. Products Combusted with Energy Recovery* in the Municipal Waste

Stream, 1960 to 2018
(With Detail On Durable Goods)

(In thousands of tons and percent of total combusted)

Products



Percent of Total Combusted



1960

1970

1980

1990

2000

2005

2010

2015

2017

2018

Other Wastes

Food



11.1%

9.4%

13.6%

17.3%

18.5%

21.0%

22.0%

21.8%

21.9%

Yard Trimmings



20.0%

20.0%

17.6%

8.5%

7.0%

8.6%

7.8%

6.2%

7.4%

Miscellaneous Inorganic Wastes



2.3%

1.8%

1.7%

1.9%

2.1%

2.3%

2.3%

2.3%

2.3%

Total Other Wastes



33.4%

31.2%

32.9%

27.7%

27.7%

31.9%

32.1%

30.3%

31.6%

Total MSW Combusted with Energy Recovery - %



100.0%

100.0%

100.0%

100.0%

100.0%

100.0%

100.0%

100.0%

100.0%

* Products and materials combusted with energy recovery estimated at percentage total MSW after recycling and composting. In 2018,19.6 percent
of MSW after recycling and composting was combusted with energy recovery except for major appliances, tires and lead-acid batteries (see Table 16
for details) and food (percentage distribution for food varies by generator sector, see https://www.epa.gov/facts-and-figures-about-materials-
waste-and-recycling/food-material-specific-data). Does not include construction & demolition debris, industrial process wastes or certain other
wastes. Details may not add to totals due to rounding.

** Not estimated separately prior to 1990.

§ Tires: tires to fuel based on industry percentage estimates applied to tire generation. Total Miscellaneous Durables: calculated as difference

between total durable goods going to combustion and individual durable goods shown. The amounts of consumer electronics going to combustion
with energy recovery are not available and are included in Total Miscellaneous Durables.

± Energy Recovery Council, 2016. Major appliances and lead-acid batteries are not accepted at waste-to-energy facilities.

Neg. = Less than 5,000 tons or 0.05 percent.

December 2020

22


-------
Advancing Sustainable Materials Management: Facts and Figures 2018

Table 17. Products Landfilled* in the Municipal Waste Stream, 1960 to 2018

(With Detail On Durable Goods)

(In thousands of tons and percent of total landfilled)

Products









Thousands of Tons











1960

1970

1980

1990

2000

2005

2010

2015

2017

2018

Durable Goods



Major Appliances

1,620

2,120

2,820

2,240

1,640

1,190

1,410

1,860

2,050

2,110

Small Appliances**







360

820

960

1,400

1,550

1,610

1,640

Furniture and Furnishings

2,150

2,830

4,670

5,640

6,550

7,640

8,900

9,690

9,790

9,680

Carpets and Rugs**







1,370

1,830

2,220

2,840

2,770

2,500

2,460

Rubber Tires

790

1,640

2,540

2,770

1,380

880

860

720

1,220

1,210

Batteries, Lead-Acid



200

450

40

150

110

40

30

30

30

Miscellaneous Durables





















Selected Consumer Electronics***





















Other Miscellaneous Durables





















Total Miscellaneous Durables

5,010

6,870

9,520

9,450

13,660

17,340

17,440

18,800

20,040

20,280

Total Durable Goods

9,570

13,660

20,000

21,870

26,030

30,340

32,890

35,420

37,240

37,410

Nondurable Goods

14,940

21,240

29,170

35,990

37,450

35,900

28,030

28,660

27,690

29,160

(Detail in Table 21)

Containers and Packaging

24,500

40,060

43,300

39,640

37,860

36,670

31,920

29,270

33,010

30,470

(Detail in Table 28)

Total Product Wastes

49,010

74,960

92,470

97,500

101,340

102,910

92,840

93,350

97,940

97,040

Other Wastes



Food

12,200

12,750

12,740

19,800

24,200

26,370

28,620

30,250

30,630

35,280

Yard Trimmings

20,000

23,110

26,950

25,560

11,900

9,990

11,690

10,800

8,650

10,530

Miscellaneous Inorganic Wastes

1,300

1,770

2,200

2,410

2,820

3,020

3,160

3,210

3,250

3,270

Total Other Wastes

33,500

37,630

41,890

47,770

38,920

39,380

43,470

44,260

42,530

49,080

Total MSW Landfilled- Weight

82,510

112,590

134,360

145,270

140,260

142,290

136,310

137,610

140,470

146,120

Products







Percent of Total Landfilled









1960

1970

1980

1990

2000

2005

2010

2015

2017

2018

Durable Goods



Major Appliances

2.0%

1.9%

2.1%

1.5%

1.2%

0.8%

1.0%

1.4%

1.5%

1.4%

Small Appliances**







0.2%

0.6%

0.7%

1.0%

1.1%

1.1%

1.1%

Furniture and Furnishings

2.6%

2.5%

3.5%

3.9%

4.7%

5.4%

6.5%

7.0%

7.0%

6.6%

Carpets and Rugs**







0.9%

1.3%

1.5%

2.1%

2.0%

1.8%

1.7%

Rubber Tires

1.0%

1.5%

1.9%

1.9%

1.0%

0.6%

0.6%

0.5%

0.9%

0.7%

Batteries, Lead-Acid

Neg.

0.2%

0.3%

0.1%

0.1%

0.1%

0.1%

Neg.

Neg.

Neg.

Miscellaneous Durables





















Selected Consumer Electronics***





















Other Miscellaneous Durables





















Total Miscellaneous Durables

6.1%

6.1%

7.1%

6.5%

9.7%

12.2%

12.8%

13.7%

14.3%

13.9%

Total Durable Goods

11.6%

12.1%

14.9%

15.0%

18.6%

21.3%

24.1%

25.7%

26.5%

25.6%

Nondurable Goods

18.1%

18.9%

21.7%

24.8%

26.7%

25.2%

20.6%

20.8%

19.7%

19.9%

(Detail in Table 21)

Containers and Packaging

29.7%

35.6%

32.2%

27.3%

27.0%

25.8%

23.4%

21.4%

23.5%

20.9%

(Detail in Table 29)

Total Product Wastes

59.4%

66.6%

68.8%

67.1%

72.3%

72.3%

68.1%

67.9%

69.7%

66.4%

Other Wastes



Food

14.8%

11.3%

9.5%

13.6%

17.3%

18.5%

21.0%

22.0%

21.8%

24.1%

Yard Trimmings

24.2%

20.5%

20.1%

17.6%

8.5%

7.0%

8.6%

7.8%

6.2%

7.2%

Miscellaneous Inorganic Wastes

1.6%

1.6%

1.6%

1.7%

1.9%

2.2%

2.3%

2.3%

2.3%

2.3%

Total Other Wastes

40.6%

33.4%

31.2%

32.9%

27.7%

27.7%

31.9%

32.1%

30.3%

33.6%

Total MSW Landfilled - %

100.0%

100.0%

100.0%

100.0%

100.0%

100.0%

100.0%

100.0%

100.0%

100.0%

* Landfilling after recycling, composting, other food management pathways and combustion with energy recovery. Details may not add to totals due

to rounding.

** Not estimated separately prior to 1990.

*** The amount of consumer electronics going to combustion with energy recovery versus landfilling are not available. These products are included in
Total Miscellaneous Durables.

Neg. = Less than 5,000 tons or 0.05 percent.

December 2020

23


-------
Advancing Sustainable Materials Management: Facts and Figures 2018

Table 18. Products Generated* in the Municipal Waste Stream, 1960 to 2018

(With Detail on Nondurable Goods)

(In thousands of tons and percent of generation of each product)

Products









Thousands of Tons











1960

1970

1980

1990

2000

2005

2010

2015

2017

2018

Durable Goods

9,920

14,660

21,800

29,810

38,870

45,060

49,350

53,940

56,870

57,100

(Detail in Table 14)



Nondurable Goods



Newspapers/Mechanical Paperst

7,110

9,510

11,050

13,430

14,790

12,790

9,880

6,730

5,440

5,050

Directoriest**







610

680

660

-

-

-

-

Other Paper Nondurable Goods





















Books and Magazines

1,920

2,470

3,390















Books**







970

1,240

1,100

990

800

700

690

Magazines**







2,830

2,230

2,580

1,590

1,190

1,020

980

Office-Type Papers***

1,520

2,650

4,000

6,410

7,420

6,620

5,260

4,530

3,970

3,970

Marketing Mail§







3,820

5,570

5,830

4,340

4,050

3,790

3,670

Other Commercial Printingt

1,260

2,130

3,120

4,460

7,380

6,440

2,480

2,080

1,960

2,000

Tissue Paper and Towels

1,090

2,080

2,300

2,960

3,220

3,460

3,490

3,680

3,750

3,790

Paper Plates and Cups

270

420

630

650

960

1,160

1,350

1,360

1,440

1,420

Other Nonpackaging Paper

2,700

3,630

4,230

3,840

4,250

4,490

4,190

3,700

3,880

3,920

Total Other Paper Nondurable Goods

8,760

13,380

17,670

25,940

32,270

29,920

23,690

21,390

20,510

20,440

Disposable Diapers

Neg.

350

1,930

2,700

3,230

3,410

3,700

4,170

4,150

4,100

Plastic Plates and Cups¥





190

650

870

930

890

1,050

1,080

1,030

Trash Bags**







780

850

1,060

980

1,130

1,140

1,230

Clothing and Footwear

1,360

1,620

2,170

4,010

6,470

7,890

9,100

11,940

12,800

12,970

Towels, Sheets and Pillowcases**







710

820

980

1,290

1,350

1,470

1,520

Other Miscellaneous Nondurables

100

200

1,410

3,340

4,030

4,250

3,720

4,050

4,110

4,100

Total Nondurable Goods

17,330

25,060

34,420

52,170

64,010

63,650

53,250

51,810

50,700

50,440

Containers and Packaging

27,370

43,560

52,670

64,530

75,840

76,330

75,470

77,920

81,200

82,220

(Detail in Table 22)

Total Product Wastes

54,620

83,280

108,890

146,510

178,720

185,040

178,070

183,670

188,770

189,760

Other Wastes

33,500

37,780

42,750

61,760

64,730

68,690

72,980

78,440

79,890

102,600

Total MSW Generated - Weight

88,120

121,060

151,640

208,270

243,450

253,730

251,050

262,110

268,660

292,360



Products







Percent of Generation of Each Product









1960

1970

1980

1990

2000

2005

2010

2015

2017

2018

Durable Goods

11.3%

12.1%

14.4%

14.3%

16.0%

17.8%

19.7%

20.6%

21.2%

19.5%

(Detail in Table 14)



Nondurable Goods



Newspapers/Mechanical Paperst

8.1%

7.9%

7.3%

6.4%

6.1%

5.0%

3.9%

2.6%

2.0%

1.7%

Directoriest**







0.3%

0.3%

0.3%

-

-

-

-

Other Paper Nondurable Goods





















Books and Magazines

2.2%

2.0%

2.2%















Books**







0.5%

0.5%

0.4%

0.4%

0.3%

0.3%

0.2%

Magazines**







1.4%

0.9%

1.0%

0.6%

0.5%

0.4%

0.3%

Office-Type Papers***

1.7%

2.2%

2.6%

3.1%

3.0%

2.6%

2.1%

1.8%

1.6%

1.4%

Marketing Mail§







1.8%

2.3%

2.3%

1.7%

1.5%

1.4%

1.3%

Other Commercial Printingt

1.4%

1.8%

2.1%

2.1%

3.0%

2.5%

1.0%

0.8%

0.7%

0.7%

Tissue Paper and Towels

1.2%

1.7%

1.5%

1.4%

1.3%

1.4%

1.4%

1.4%

1.4%

1.3%

Paper Plates and Cups

0.3%

0.3%

0.4%

0.3%

0.4%

0.5%

0.5%

0.5%

0.5%

0.5%

Other Nonpackaging Paper

3.1%

3.0%

2.8%

1.8%

1.7%

1.8%

1.7%

1.4%

1.5%

1.3%

Total Other Paper Nondurable Goods

9.9%

11.1%

11.7%

12.5%

13.3%

12.5%

9.4%

8.2%

7.7%

7.0%

Disposable Diapers

Neg.

0.3%

1.3%

1.3%

1.3%

1.3%

1.5%

1.6%

1.5%

1.4%

Plastic Plates and Cups¥





0.1%

0.3%

0.4%

0.4%

0.4%

0.4%

0.4%

0.4%

Trash Bags**







0.4%

0.3%

0.4%

0.4%

0.4%

0.4%

0.4%

December 2020

24


-------
Advancing Sustainable Materials Management: Facts and Figures 2018

Table 18. Products Generated* in the Municipal Waste Stream, 1960 to 2018

(With Detail on Nondurable Goods)

(In thousands of tons and percent of generation of each product)

Products







'ercent of Generation of Each Product









1960

1970

1980

1990

2000

2005

2010

2015

2017

2018

Clothing and Footwear

1.5%

1.3%

1.4%

1.9%

2.7%

3.1%

3.6%

4.6%

4.8%

4.4%

Towels, Sheets and Pillowcases**







0.3%

0.3%

0.4%

0.5%

0.5%

0.5%

0.5%

Other Miscellaneous Nondurables

0.1%

0.2%

0.9%

1.6%

1.7%

1.7%

1.5%

1.5%

1.5%

1.4%

Total Nondurables

19.7%

20.7%

22.7%

25.0%

26.3%

25.1%

21.2%

19.8%

18.9%

17.3%

Containers and Packaging

31.1%

36.0%

34.7%

31.0%

31.2%

30.1%

30.1%

29.7%

30.2%

28.1%

(Detail in Table 23)



Total Product Wastes

62.0%

68.8%

71.8%

70.3%

73.4%

72.9%

70.9%

70.1%

70.3%

64.9%

Other Wastes

38.0%

31.2%

28.2%

29.7%

26.6%

27.1%

29.1%

29.9%

29.7%

35.1%

Total MSW Generated - %

100.0%

100.0%

100.0%

100.0%

100.0%

100.0%

100.0%

100.0%

100.0%

100.0%

* Generation before materials are recycled, composted, managed by other food pathways, combusted with energy recovery or landfilled. Does not

include construction & demolition debris, industrial process wastes or certain other wastes. Details may not add to totals due to rounding,
t Starting in 2010, newsprint and groundwood inserts expanded to include directories and other mechanical papers previously counted as Other

Commercial Printing.

** Not estimated separately prior to 1990.

*** High-grade paper such as printer paper; generated in both commercial and residential sources.

§ Marketing Mail: Not estimated separately prior to 1990. Formerly called Third Class Mail and Standard Mail by the U.S. Postal Service.
¥ Plastic Plates and Cups: Not estimated separately prior to 1980.

Detailed data not available.	Neg. = Less than 5,000 tons or 0.05 percent.

December 2020

25


-------
Advancing Sustainable Materials Management: Facts and Figures 2018

Table 19. Products Recycled,* Composted and Managed By Other Food
Pathways In The Municipal Solid Waste Stream, 1960 To 2018
(With Detail on Nondurable Goods)

(In thousands of tons and percent of generation of each product)

Products









Thousands of Tons











1960

1970

1980

1990

2000

2005

2010

2015

2017

2018

Recycled

Durable Goods - recycled

350

940

1,360

3,460

6,580

7,970

9,390

9,880

10,550

10,570

(Detail in Table 15)



Nondurable Goods - recycled



Newspapers/Mechanical Paperst

1,820

2,250

3,020

5,110

8,720

9,360

7,070

4,790

4,180

3,270

Directoriest**







50

120

120

-

-

-

-

Other Paper Nondurable Goods





















Books and Magazines

100

260

280















Books**







100

240

270

-

-

-

-

Magazines**







300

710

960

-

-

-

-

Office-Type Papers***

250

710

870

1,700

4,090

4,110

-

-

-

-

Marketing Mail§







200

1,830

2,090

-

-

-

-

Other Commercial Printingt

130

340

350

700

810

1,440

-

-

-

-

Tissue Paper and Towels

Neg.

Neg.

Neg.

Neg.

Neg.

Neg.

-

-

-

-

Paper Plates and Cups

Neg.

Neg.

Neg.

Neg.

Neg.

Neg.

-

-

-

-

Other Nonpackaging Paper

40

110

Neg.

Neg.

Neg.

Neg.

-

-

-

-

Total Other Paper Nondurable Goods -
recycled

520

1,420

1,500

3,000

7,680

8,870

10,650

9,330

9,910

8,810

Disposable Diapers







Neg.

Neg.

Neg.

Neg.

Neg.

Neg.

Neg.

Plastic Plates and Cups¥





Neg.

Neg.

Neg.

Neg.

Neg.

Neg.

Neg.

Neg.

Trash Bags**







Neg.

Neg.

Neg.

Neg.

Neg.

Neg.

Neg.

Clothing and Footwear

50

60

150

520

900

1,250

1,250

1,690

1,740

1,690

Towels, Sheets and Pillowcases**







120

140

170

220

220

240

240

Other Miscellaneous Nondurables

Neg.

Neg.

Neg.

Neg.

Neg.

Neg.

Neg.

160

220

180

Total Nondurable Goods

2,390

3,730

4,670

8,800

17,560

19,770

19,190

16,190

16,290

14,190

Containers and Packaging - recycled

2,870

3,350

8,490

16,780

28,870

31,500

36,680

41,490

40,140

44,330

(Detail in Table 24)



Total Product Wastes - recycled

5,610

8,020

14,520

29,040

53,010

59,240

65,260

67,560

66,980

69,090

Food - composted

FoodA

Neg.

Neg.

Neg.

Neg.

680

690

970

2,100

2,570

2,590

Yard Trimmings - composted

Yard Trimmings

Neg.

Neg.

Neg.

4,200

15,770

19,860

19,200

21,290

24,420

22,300

Misc. Inorganic Wastes - composted

Miscellaneous Inorganic Wastes

Neg.

Neg.

Neg.

Neg.

Neg.

Neg.

Neg.

Neg.

Neg.

Neg.

Total - composted

Neg.

Neg.

Neg.

4,200

16,450

20,550

20,170

23,390

26,990

24,890

Other Food Management

Other Food Management

Food - animal feed



















1,820

Food - bio-based materials/biochemical
processing



















1,840

Food - codigestion/anaerobic digestion



















5,260

Food - donation



















4,790

Food - land application



















260

Food - sewer/wastewater treatment



















3,740

Total Food - other food management



















17,710

Total MSW Recycled and Composted -
Weight

5,610

8,020

14,520

33,240

69,460

79,790

85,430

90,950

93,970

93,980

Total MSW Recycled, Composted and Other
Food Management - Weight



















111,690

December 2020

26


-------
Advancing Sustainable Materials Management: Facts and Figures 2018

Table 19. Products Recycled,* Composted and Managed By Other Food
Pathways In The Municipal Solid Waste Stream, 1960 To 2018
(With Detail on Nondurable Goods)

(In thousands of tons and percent of generation of each product)

Products







percent of generation of each product









I960

1970

1980

1990

2000

2005

2010

2015

2017

2018

Recycled

Durable Goods - recycled

3.5%

6.4%

6.2%

11.6%

16.9%

17.7%

19.0%

18.3%

18.6%

18.5%

(Detail in Table 15)



Nondurable Goods - recycled



Newspapers/Mechanical Paperst

25.6%

23.7%

27.3%

38.0%

59.0%

73.2%

71.6%

71.2%

76.8%

64.8%

Directoriest**







8.2%

17.6%

18.2%

-

-

-

-

Other Paper Nondurable Goods





















Books and Magazines

5.2%

10.5%

8.3%















Books**







10.3%

19.4%

24.5%

-

-

-

-

Magazines**







10.6%

31.8%

37.2%

-

-

-

-

Office-Type Papers***

16.4%

26.8%

21.8%

26.5%

55.1%

62.1%

-

-

-

-

Marketing Mail§







5.2%

32.9%

35.8%

-

-

-

-

Other Commercial Printingt

10.3%

16.0%

11.2%

15.7%

11.0%

22.4%

-

-

-

-

Tissue Paper and Towels

Neg.

Neg.

Neg.

Neg.

Neg.

Neg.

-

-

-

-

Paper Plates and Cups

Neg.

Neg.

Neg.

Neg.

Neg.

Neg.

-

-

-

-

Other Nonpackaging Paper

1.5%

3.0%

Neg.

Neg.

Neg.

Neg.

-

-

-

-

Total Other Paper Nondurable Goods -
recycled

5.9%

10.6%

8.5%

11.6%

24.2%

28.0%

45.0%

43.6%

48.3%

43.1%

Disposable Diapers







Neg.

Neg.

Neg.

Neg.

Neg.

Neg.

Neg.

Plastic Plates and Cups¥





Neg.

Neg.

Neg.

Neg.

Neg.

Neg.

Neg.

Neg.

Trash Bags**







Neg.

Neg.

Neg.

Neg.

Neg.

Neg.

Neg.

Clothing and Footwear

Neg.

Neg.

Neg.

13.0%

13.9%

15.8%

13.7%

14.2%

13.6%

13.0%

Towels, Sheets and Pillowcases**







16.9%

17.1%

17.3%

17.1%

16.3%

16.3%

15.8%

Other Miscellaneous Nondurables

Neg.

Neg.

Neg.

Neg.

Neg.

Neg.

Neg.

4.0%

5.4%

4.4%

Total Nondurables recycled

13.8%

14.9%

13.6%

16.9%

27.4%

31.1%

36.0%

31.2%

32.1%

28.1%

Containers and Packaging - recycled

10.5%

7.7%

16.1%

26.0%

38.1%

41.3%

48.6%

53.2%

49.4%

53.9%

(Detail in Table 25)

	 1

Total Product Wastes - recycled

10.3%

9.6%

13.3%

19.8%

29.7%

32.0%

36.6%

36.8%

35.5%

36.4%

Composted

Composted - Food

Food - compostedA

Neg.

Neg.

Neg.

Neg.

2.2%

2.1%

2.7%

5.3%

6.3%

4.1%

Composted - Yard Trimmings

Yard Trimmings - composted

Neg.

Neg.

Neg.

12.0% 1

51.7%]

61.9%]

57.5%

61.3%]

69.4%]

\~ 63.0%J

Composted - Misc. Inorganic Wastes

Miscellaneous Inorganic Wastes -
composted

Neg.

Neg.

Neg.

Neg.

Neg.

Neg.

Neg.

Neg.

Neg.

Neg.

Total - composted

Neg.

Neg.

Neg.

6.8%

25.4%

29.9%

27.6%

29.8%

33.8%

24.3%

December 2020

27


-------
Advancing Sustainable Materials Management: Facts and Figures 2018

Table 19. Products Recycled,* Composted and Managed By Other Food
Pathways In The Municipal Solid Waste Stream, 1960 To 2018
(With Detail on Nondurable Goods)

(In thousands of tons and percent of generation of each product)

Products







percent of generation of each product









I960

1970

1980

1990

2000

2005

2010

2015

2017

2018

Other Food Management

Other Food Management

Food - animal feed



















2.9%

Food - bio-based

materials/biochemical processing



















2.9%

Food - codigestion/anaerobic
digestion



















8.3%

Food - donation



















7.6%

Food - land application



















0.4%

Food - sewer/wastewater treatment



















5.9%

Total Food - other food management



















28.1%

Total MSW Recycled and Composted - %

6.4%

6.6%

9.6%

16.0%

28.5%

31.4%

34.0%

34.7%

35.0%

32.1%

Total MSW Recycled, Composted and
Other Food Management - %



















38.2%

* Recycling of postconsumer wastes; does not include converting/fabrication scrap. Details may not add to totals due to rounding,
t Starting in 2010, newsprint and groundwood inserts expanded to include directories and other mechanical papers previously counted as Other

Commercial Printing.

** Not estimated separately prior to 1990.

*** High-grade paper such as printer paper; generated in both commercial and residential sources.

§ Marketing Mail: Not estimated separately prior to 1990. Formerly called Third Class Mail and Standard Mail by the U.S. Postal Service.

¥ Plastic Plates and Cups: Not estimated separately prior to 1980.

A Includes collection of other MSW organics for composting.

tt In 2018, the food waste measurement methodology was expanded to include additional sources of generation and management pathways beyond
composting, combustion with energy recovery and la ndfi I ling. Please see https://www.epa.gov/facts-and-figures-about-materials-waste-and-
recycling/food-material-specific-data
Detailed data not available.

Neg. = Less than 5,000 tons or 0.05 percent.

December 2020

28


-------
Advancing Sustainable Materials Management: Facts and Figures 2018

Table 20. Products Combusted with Energy Recovery* in Municipal Solid Waste,

1960 to 2018
(With Detail on Nondurable Goods)

(In thousands of tons and percent of total combusted)

Products

Thousands of Tons



1960

1970

1980

1990

2000

2005

2010

2015

2017

2018

Durable Goods 0 60 440 4,480 6,260 6,750 7,070 8,640

9,080

9,120

(Detail in Table 16)



Nondurable Goods



Newspapers/Mechanical
Paperst

0

30

160

1,420

1,180

620

500

380

250

350

Directoriest**







100

110

100

-

-

-

-

Other Paper Nondurable
Goods





















Books and Magazines

0

10

60















Books**







150

190

150

-

-

-

-

Magazines**







430

290

290

-

-

-

-

Office-Type Papers***

0

10

60

800

650

460

-

-

-

-

Marketing Mail§







620

730

680

-

-

-

-

Other Commercial Printingt

0

10

60

640

1,270

910

-

-

-

-

Tissue Paper and Towels

0

10

50

500

620

630

-

-

-

-

Paper Plates and Cups

0

Neg.

10

110

190

210

-

-

-

-

Other Nonpackaging Paper

0

10

80

650

820

820

-

-

-

-

Total Other Paper
Nondurable Goods



50

320

3,900

4,760

4,150

2,310

2,360

2,080

2,280

Disposable Diapers



Neg.

30

460

630

620

650

810

810

800

Plastic Plates and Cups¥





Neg.

110

170

170

160

210

210

200

Trash Bags**







130

160

190

170

220

220

240

Clothing and Footwear

0

10

50

590

1,080

1,210

1,390

2,010

2,160

2,210

Towels, Sheets and
Pillowcases**







100

130

150

190

220

240

250

Other Miscellaneous
Nondurables

0

Neg.

20

570

780

770

660

750

750

760

Total Nondurables

0

90

580

7,380

9,000

7,980

6,030

6,960

6,720

7,090

Containers and Packaging

0

150

880

8,110

9,110

8,160

6,870

7,160

8,050

7,420

(Detail in Table 26)



Total Product Wastes

0

300

1,900

19,970

24,370

22,890

19,970

22,760

23,850

23,630

Other Wastes

0

150

860

9,790

9,360

8,760

9,340

10,790

10,370

10,920

Total MSW Combusted with
Energy Recovery - Weight

0

450

2,760

29,760

33,730

31,650

29,310

33,550

34,220

34,550



Products

Percent of Total Combusted



1960

1970

1980

1990

2000

2005

2010

2015

2017

2018

Durable Goods

13.3%

15.9%

15.1%

18.6% 21.3% 24.1% 25.8%

26.5%

26.4%

(Detail in Table 16)

Nondurable Goods



Newspapers/Mechanical
Paperst



6.7%

5.8%

4.8%

3.5%

2.0%

1.7%

1.1%

0.7%

1.0%

Directoriest**







0.3%

0.3%

0.3%

-

-

-

-

Other Paper Nondurable
Goods





















Books and Magazines



2.2%

2.2%















Books**







0.5%

0.6%

0.5%

-

-

-

-

Magazines**







1.4%

0.9%

0.9%

-

-

-

-

Office-Type Papers***



2.2%

2.2%

2.7%

1.8%

1.4%

-

-

-

-

Marketing Mail§







2.1%

2.2%

2.1%

-

-

-

-

Other Commercial Printingt



2.2%

2.2%

2.2%

3.8%

2.9%

-

-

-

-

December 2020

29


-------
Advancing Sustainable Materials Management: Facts and Figures 2018

Table 20. Products Combusted with Energy Recovery* in Municipal Solid Waste,

1960 to 2018
(With Detail on Nondurable Goods)

(In thousands of tons and percent of total combusted)

Products





Percent of Total Combuste

i









1960

1970

1980

1990

2000

2005

2010

2015

2017

2018

Tissue Paper and Towels



2.2%

1.8%

1.7%

1.8%

2.0%

-

-

-

-

Paper Plates and Cups



Neg.

0.4%

0.4%

0.6%

0.7%

-

-

-

-

Other Nonpackaging Paper



2.2%

2.8%

2.2%

2.4%

2.6%

-

-

-

-

Total Other Paper
Nondurable Goods



11.1%

11.6%

13.1%

14.1%

13.1%

7.9%

7.0%

6.1%

6.6%

Disposable Diapers



Neg.

1.1%

1.5%

1.9%

2.0%

2.2%

2.4%

2.4%

2.3%

Plastic Plates and Cups¥





Neg.

0.4%

0.5%

0.5%

0.5%

0.6%

0.6%

0.6%

Trash Bags**







0.4%

0.5%

0.6%

0.6%

0.7%

0.6%

0.7%

Clothing and Footwear



2.2%

1.8%

2.0%

3.2%

3.8%

4.7%

6.0%

6.3%

6.4%

Towels, Sheets and
Pillowcases**







0.3%

0.4%

0.5%

0.7%

0.7%

0.7%

0.7%

Other Miscellaneous
Nondurables



Neg.

0.7%

1.9%

2.3%

2.4%

2.3%

2.2%

2.3%

2.2%

Total Nondurables



19.9%

21.0%

24.8%

26.7%

25.2%

20.6%

20.7%

19.7%

20.5%

Containers and Packaging



33.3%

31.9%

27.3%

27.0%

25.8%

23.4%

21.4%

23.4%

21.5%

(Detail in Table 27)





















Total Product Wastes



66.6%

68.8%

67.1%

72.3%

72.3%

68.1%

67.9%

69.7%

68.4%

Other Wastes



33.4%

31.2%

32.9%

27.7%

27.7%

31.9%

32.1%

30.3%

31.6%

Total MSW Combusted with
Energy Recovery - %



100.0%

100.0%

100.0%

100.0%

100.0%

100.0%

100.0%

100.0%

100.0%

* Products and materials combusted with energy recovery estimated at percentage total MSW after recycling and composting. In 2018,19.6 percent
of MSW after recycling and composting was combusted with energy recovery except for major appliances, tires and lead-acid batteries (see Table 16
for details) and food (percentage distribution for food varies by generator sector, see https://www.epa.gov/facts-and-figures-about-materials-
waste-and-recycling/food-material-specific-data). Does not include construction & demolition debris, industrial process wastes or certain other
wastes. Details may not add to totals due to rounding.

t Starting in 2010, newsprint and groundwood inserts expanded to include directories and other mechanical papers previously counted as Other
Commercial Printing.

** Not estimated separately prior to 1990.

*** High-grade paper such as printer paper; generated in both commercial and residential sources.

§ Marketing Mail: Not estimated separately prior to 1990. Formerly called Third Class Mail and Standard Mail by the U.S. Postal Service.

¥ Plastic Plates and Cups: Not estimated separately prior to 1980.

Detailed data not available.

Neg. = Less than 5,000 tons or 0.05 percent.

December 2020

30


-------
Advancing Sustainable Materials Management: Facts and Figures 2018

Table 21. Products Landfilled* in Municipal Solid Waste, 1960 to 2018
(With Detail on Nondurable Goods)

(In thousands of tons and percent of total landfilled)

Products

Thousands of Tons



1960

1970

1980

1990

2000

2005

2010

2015

2017

2018

Durable Goods

9,570

13,660

20,000

21,870

26,030

30,340

32,890

35,420

37,240

37,410

(Detail in Table 17)



Nondurable Goods



Newspapers/Mechanical Paperst

5,290

7,230

7,870

6,900

4,890

2,810

2,310

1,560

1,010

1,430

Directoriest**







460

450

440

-

-

-

-

Other Paper Nondurable Goods





















Books and Magazines

1,820

2,200

3,050















Books**







720

810

680

-

-

-

-

Magazines**







2,100

1,230

1,330

-

-

-

-

Office-Type Papers***

1,270

1,930

3,070

3,910

2,680

2,050

-

-

-

-

Marketing Mail§







3,000

3,010

3,060

-

-

-

-

Other Commercial Printingt

1,130

1,780

2,710

3,120

5,300

4,090

-

-

-

-

Tissue Paper and Towels

1,090

2,070

2,250

2,460

2,600

2,830

-

-

-

-

Paper Plates and Cups

270

420

620

540

770

950

-

-

-

-

Other Nonpackaging Paper

2,660

3,510

4,150

3,190

3,430

3,670

-

-

-

-

Total Other Paper Nondurable
Goods

8,240

11,910

15,850

19,040

19,830

18,660

10,730

9,700

8,520

9,350

Disposable Diapers



350

1,900

2,240

2,600

2,790

3,050

3,360

3,340

3,300

Plastic Plates and Cups¥





190

540

700

760

730

840

870

830

Trash Bags**







650

690

870

810

910

920

990

Clothing and Footwear

1,310

1,550

1,970

2,900

4,490

5,430

6,460

8,240

8,900

9,070

Towels, Sheets and Pillowcases**







490

550

660

880

910

990

1,030

Other Miscellaneous Nondurables

100

200

1,390

2,770

3,250

3,480

3,060

3,140

3,140

3,160

Total Nondurables

14,940

21,240

29,170

35,990

37,450

35,900

28,030

28,660

27,690

29,160

Containers and Packaging

24,500

40,060

43,300

39,640

37,860

36,670

31,920

29,270

33,010

30,470

(Detail in Table 28)





Total Product Wastes

49,010

74,960

92,470

97,500

101,340

102,910

92,840

93,350

97,940

97,040

Other Wastes

33,500

37,630

41,890

47,770

38,920

39,380

43,470

44,260

42,530

49,080

Total MSW Landfilled - Weight

82,510

112,590

134,360

145,270

140,260

142,290

136,310

137,610

140,470

146,120

Products









'ercent of Total Landfilled









1960

1970

1980

1990

2000

2005

2010

2015

2017

2018

Durable Goods

11.6%

12.1%

14.9%

15.1%

18.6%

21.3%

24.1%

25.7%

26.5%

25.6%

(Detail in Table 17)



Nondurable Goods



Newspapers/Mechanical Paperst

6.4%

6.4%

5.9%

4.7%

3.5%

2.0%

1.7%

1.1%

0.7%

1.0%

Directoriest**







0.3%

0.3%

0.3%

-

-

-

-

Other Paper Nondurable Goods





















Books and Magazines

2.2%

2.0%

2.3%















Books**







0.5%

0.6%

0.5%

-

-

-

-

Magazines**







1.4%

0.9%

0.9%

-

-

-

-

Office-Type Papers***

1.5%

1.7%

2.3%

2.7%

1.9%

1.4%

-

-

-

-

Marketing Mail§







2.1%

2.1%

2.1%

-

-

-

-

Other Commercial Printing

1.4%

1.6%

2.0%

2.1%

3.8%

2.9%

-

-

-

-

Tissue Paper and Towels

1.3%

1.8%

1.7%

1.7%

1.9%

2.0%

-

-

-

-

Paper Plates and Cups

0.3%

0.4%

0.5%

0.4%

0.5%

0.7%

-

-

-

-

Other Nonpackaging Paper

3.2%

3.1%

3.1%

2.2%

2.4%

2.6%

-

-

-

-

Total Other Paper Nondurable
Goods

10.0%

10.6%

11.8%

13.1%

14.1%

17.6%

7.9%

7.0%

6.1%

6.4%

December 2020

31


-------
Advancing Sustainable Materials Management: Facts and Figures 2018

Table 21. Products Landfilled* in Municipal Solid Waste, 1960 to 2018
(With Detail on Nondurable Goods)

(In thousands of tons and percent of total landfilled)

Products









ercent of Total Landfilled









1960

1970

1980

1990

2000

2005

2010

2015

2017

2018

Disposable Diapers

Neg.

0.3%

1.4%

1.5%

1.9%

2.0%

2.2%

2.4%

2.4%

2.3%

Plastic Plates and Cups¥





0.1%

0.4%

0.5%

0.5%

0.5%

0.6%

0.6%

0.6%

Trash Bags**







0.4%

0.5%

0.6%

0.6%

0.7%

0.7%

0.7%

Clothing and Footwear

1.6%

1.4%

1.5%

2.0%

3.2%

3.8%

4.7%

6.0%

6.3%

6.2%

Towels, Sheets and Pillowcases**







0.3%

0.4%

0.5%

0.6%

0.7%

0.7%

0.7%

Other Miscellaneous
Nondurables

0.1%

0.2%

1.0%

1.9%

2.3%

2.4%

2.3%

2.3%

2.2%

2.2%

Total Nondurables

18.1%

18.9%

21.7%

24.8%

26.7%

25.2%

20.6%

20.8%

19.7%

19.9%

Containers and Packaging

29.7%

35.6%

32.2%

27.3%

27.0%

25.8%

23.4%

21.4%

23.5%

20.9%

(Detail in Table 29)





















Total Product Wastes

59.4%

66.6%

68.8%

67.1%

72.3%

72.3%

68.1%

67.9%

69.7%

66.4%

Other Wastes

40.6%

33.4%

31.2%

32.9%

27.7%

27.7%

31.9%

32.1%

30.3%

33.6%

Total MSW Landfilled - %

100.0%

100.0%

100.0%

100.0%

100.0%

100.0%

100.0%

100.0%

100.0%

100.0%

* Landfilling after recycling, composting, other food management pathways and combustion with energy recovery. Does not include construction &

demolition debris, industrial process wastes or certain other wastes. Details may not add to totals due to rounding,
t Starting in 2010, newsprint and groundwood inserts expanded to include directories and other mechanical papers previously counted as Other

Commercial Printing.

** Not estimated separately prior to 1990.

*** High-grade paper such as printer paper; generated in both commercial and residential sources.

§ Marketing Mail: Not estimated separately prior to 1990. Formerly called Third Class Mail and Standard Mail by the U.S. Postal Service.
¥ Plastic Plates and Cups: Not estimated separately prior to 1980.

Detailed data not available.

Neg. = Less than 5,000 tons or 0.05 percent.

December 2020

32


-------
Advancing Sustainable Materials Management: Facts and Figures 2018

Table 22. Products Generated* in the Municipal Waste Stream, 1960 to 2018
(With Detail on Containers and Packaging)

(In thousands of tons)

Products

Thousands of Tons



1960

1970

1980

1990

2000

2005

2010

2015

2017

2018

Durable Goods

9,920

14,660

21,800

29,810

38,870

45,060

49,350

53,940

56,870

57,100

(Detail in Table 14)



Nondurable Goods

17,330

25,060

34,420

52,170

64,010

63,650

53,250

51,810

50,700

50,440

(Detail in Table 18)



Containers and Packaging

Glass Packaging

Beer and Soft Drink Bottles**

1,400

5,580

6,740

5,640

5,710

6,540

5,670

5,320

4,830

4,650

Wine and Liquor Bottles

1,080

1,900

2,450

2,030

1,910

1,630

1,700

1,810

1,800

1,810

Other Bottles & Jars

3,710

4,440

4,780

4,160

3,420

2,290

1,990

1,990

3,220

3,330

Total Glass Packaging

6,190

11,920

13,970

11,830

11,040

10,460

9,360

9,120

9,850

9,790

Steel Packaging





















Beer and Soft Drink Cans

640

1,570

520

150

Neg.

Neg.

Neg.

Neg.

Neg.

Neg.

Cans

3,760

3,540

2,850

2,540

2,630

2,130

2,300

1,740

1,480

1,580

Other Steel Packaging

260

270

240

200

240

240

440

480

530

630

Total Steel Packaging

4,660

5,380

3,610

2,890

2,870

2,370

2,740

2,220

2,010

2,210

Aluminum Packaging





















Beer and Soft Drink Cans

Neg.

100

850

1,550

1,520

1,450

1,370

1,220

1,330

1,330

Other Cans

Neg.

60

40

20

50

80

70

130

50

80

Foil and Closures

170

410

380

330

380

400

460

490

500

510

Total Aluminum Packaging

170

570

1,270

1,900

1,950

1,930

1,900

1,840

1,880

1,920

Paper & Paperboard Pkg



Corrugated Boxes

7,330

12,760

17,080

24,010

30,210

30,930

29,050

31,330

32,540

33,260

Other Paper & Paperboard Pkg





Gable Top/Aseptic Cartons*





790

510

550

500

540

590

590

630

Folding Cartons





3,820

4,300

5,820

5,530

5,470

5,380

5,330

5,370

Other Paperboard Packaging

3,840

4,830

230

290

200

160

90

70

50

50

Bags and Sacks





3,380

2,440

1,490

1,120

1,040

930

1,100

1,090

Wrapping Papers





200

110

Neg.

Neg.

Neg.

Neg.

Neg.

Neg.

Other Paper Packaging

2,940

3,810

850

1,020

1,670

1,400

1,490

1,620

1,450

1,500

Subtotal Other Paper & Paperboard Pkg

6,780

8,640

9,270

8,670

9,730

8,710

8,630

8,590

8,520

8,640

Total Paper & Board Pkg

14,110

21,400

26,350

32,680

39,940

39,640

37,680

39,920

41,060

41,900

Plastics Packaging



PET Bottles and Jars





260

430

1,720

2,540

2,670

2,980

2,960

3,130

HDPE Natural Bottles





230

530

690

800

800

760

770

750

Other Containers

60

910

890

1,430

1,740

1,420

1,830

1,940

1,990

1,990

Bags and Sacks





390

940

1,650

1,640

770

-

-

-

Wraps





840

1,530

2,550

2,810

3,160

-

-

-

Subtotal Bags, Sacks and Wraps





1,230

2,470

4,200

4,450

3,930

4,130

4,140

4,200

Other Plastics Packaging

60

1,180

790

2,040

2,840

3,210

4,450

4,870

4,630

4,460

Total Plastics Packaging

120

2,090

3,400

6,900

11,190

12,420

13,680

14,680

14,490

14,530

Other Packaging



Wood Packaging

2,000

2,070

3,940

8,180

8,610

9,230

9,770

9,770

11,560

11,530

Other Misc. Packaging

120

130

130

150

240

280

340

370

350

340

Total Containers & Pkg

27,370

43,560

52,670

64,530

75,840

76,330

75,470

77,920

81,200

82,220

Total Product Wastes

54,620

83,280

108,890

146,510

178,720

185,040

178,070

183,670

188,770

189,760

December 2020

33


-------
Advancing Sustainable Materials Management: Facts and Figures 2018

Table 22. Products Generated* in the Municipal Waste Stream, 1960 to 2018
(With Detail on Containers and Packaging)

(In thousands of tons)

Products

Thousands of Tons



1960

1970

1980

1990

2000

2005

2010

2015

2017

2018

Other Wastes



FoodA

12,200

12,800

13,000

23,860

30,700

32,930

35,740

39,730

40,670

63,130

Yard Trimmings

20,000 23,200

27,500

35,000

30,530

32,070

33,400

34,720

35,180

35,400

Miscellaneous Inorganic Wastes

1,300 P 1,780

2,250

2,900

3,500

3,690

3,840

3,990

4,040

4,070

Total Other Wastes

33,500 37,780

42,750

61,760

64,730

68,690

72,980

78,440

79,890

102,600

Total MSW Generated - Weight 88,120 121,060 151,640 208,270 243,450 253,730 251,050 262,110 268,660

292,360

* Generation before materials are recycled, composted, managed by other food pathways, combusted with energy recovery or landfilled. Details may

not add to totals due to rounding.

** Includes carbonated drinks and non-carbonated water, teas, flavored drinks and ready-to-drink alcoholic coolers and cocktails.
t Includes milk, juice and other products packaged in gable top cartons and liquid food aseptic cartons.

A In 2018, the food waste measurement methodology was expanded to include additional sources of generation and management pathways beyond
composting, combustion with energy recovery and landfiMing. Please see https://www.epa.gov/facts-and-figures-about-materials-waste-and-
recycling/food-material-specific-data
Neg. = Less than 5,000 tons or 0.05 percent.	NA = Not Available	- Detailed data not available.

December 2020

34


-------
Advancing Sustainable Materials Management: Facts and Figures 2018

Table 23. Products Generated* in the Municipal Waste Stream, 1960 to 2018
(With Detail on Containers and Packaging)

(In percent of total generation)

Products

Percent of Total Generation



1960

1970

1980

1990

2000

2005

2010

2015

2017

2018

Durable Goods

11.3%

12.1%

14.4%

14.3%

16.0%

17.8%

19.7%

20.6%

21.2%

19.5%

(Detail in Table 14)



Nondurable Goods

19.7%

20.7%

22.7%

25.0%

26.3%

25.1%

21.2%

19.8%

18.9%

17.3%

(Detail in Table 18)

Containers and Packaging

Glass Packaging

Beer and Soft Drink Bottles**

1.6%

4.6%

4.4%

2.7%

2.3%

2.6%

2.3%

2.0%

1.8%

1.6%

Wine and Liquor Bottles

1.2%

1.6%

1.6%

1.0%

0.8%

0.6%

0.7%

0.7%

0.8%

0.6%

Other Bottles & Jars

4.2%

3.7%

3.2%

2.0%

1.4%

0.9%

0.8%

0.8%

1.2%

1.1%

Total Glass Packaging

7.0%

9.8%

9.2%

5.7%

4.5%

4.1%

3.7%

3.5%

3.8%

3.3%

Steel Packaging

Beer and Soft Drink Cans

0.7%

1.3%

0.3%

0.1%

Neg.

Neg.

Neg.

Neg.

Neg.

Neg.

Cans

4.3%

2.9%

1.9%

1.2%

1.1%

0.8%

0.9%

0.7%

0.6%

0.5%

Other Steel Packaging

0.3%

0.2%

0.2%

0.1%

0.1%

0.1%

0.2%

0.2%

0.2%

0.2%

Total Steel Packaging

5.3%

4.4%

2.4%

1.4%

1.2%

0.9%

1.1%

0.9%

0.7%

0.8%

Aluminum Packaging





















Beer and Soft Drink Cans

Neg.

0.1%

0.6%

0.7%

0.6%

0.6%

0.5%

0.5%

0.5%

0.5%

Other Cans

Neg.

Neg.

Neg.

Neg.

Neg.

Neg.

0.03%

0.04%

0.02%

0.03%

Foil and Closures

0.2%

0.3%

0.3%

0.2%

0.2%

0.2%

0.2%

0.2%

0.2%

0.2%

Total Aluminum Packaging

0.2%

0.5%

0.8%

0.9%

0.8%

0.8%

0.8%

0.7%

0.8%

0.7%

Paper & Paperboard Pkg

Corrugated Boxes

8.3%

10.5%

11.3%

11.5%

12.4%

12.2%

11.6%

12.0%

12.1%

11.4%

Other Paper & Paperboard Pkg





Gable Top/Aseptic Cartons*





0.5%

0.2%

0.2%

0.2%

0.2%

0.2%

0.2%

0.2%

Folding Cartons





2.5%

2.1%

2.4%

2.2%

2.2%

2.1%

2.0%

1.8%

Other Paperboard Packaging

4.4%

4.0%

0.2%

0.1%

0.1%

0.1%

0.0%

Neg.

Neg.

Neg.

Bags and Sacks





2.2%

1.2%

0.6%

0.4%

0.4%

0.4%

0.4%

0.4%

Wrapping Papers





0.1%

0.1%

Neg.

Neg.

Neg.

Neg.

Neg.

Neg.

Other Paper Packaging

3.3%

3.1%

0.6%

0.5%

0.7%

0.6%

0.6%

0.6%

0.5%

0.5%

Subtotal Other Paper & Paperboard Pkg













3.4%

3.3%

3.1%

3.0%

Total Paper & Board Pkg

16.0%

17.7%

17.4%

15.7%

16.4%

15.6%

15.0%

15.3%

15.3%

14.3%

Plastics Packaging

PET Bottles and Jars





0.2%

0.2%

0.7%

1.0%

1.1%

1.1%

1.1%

1.1%

HDPE Natural Bottles





0.2%

0.3%

0.3%

0.3%

0.3%

0.3%

0.3%

0.3%

Other Containers

0.1%

0.8%

0.6%

0.7%

0.7%

0.6%

0.7%

0.7%

0.7%

0.7%

Bags and Sacks





0.3%

0.5%

0.7%

0.6%

0.3%

-

-

-

Wraps





0.6%

0.7%

1.0%

1.1%

1.3%

-

-

-

Subtotal Bags, Sacks and Wraps





0.8%

1.2%

1.7%

1.8%

1.6%

1.6%

1.5%

1.4%

Other Plastics Packaging

0.1%

1.0%

0.5%

1.0%

1.2%

1.3%

1.8%

1.8%

1.7%

1.5%

Total Plastics Packaging

0.1%

1.7%

2.2%

3.3%

4.6%

4.9%

5.4%

5.5%

5.3%

5.0%

Other Packaging

Wood Packaging

2.3%

1.7%

2.6%

3.9%

3.5%

3.6%

3.9%

3.7%

4.3%

3.9%

Other Misc. Packaging

0.1%

0.1%

0.1%

0.1%

0.1%

0.1%

0.1%

0.1%

0.1%

0.1%

Total Containers & Pkg

31.1%

36.0%

34.7%

31.0%

31.2%

30.1%

30.1%

29.7%

30.2%

28.1%

Total Product Wastes

62.0%

68.8%

71.8%

70.3%

73.4%

72.9%

70.9%

70.1%

70.3%

64.9%

December 2020

35


-------
Advancing Sustainable Materials Management: Facts and Figures 2018

Table 23. Products Generated* in the Municipal Waste Stream, 1960 to 2018
(With Detail on Containers and Packaging)

(In percent of total generation)

Products







Percent of Total Generation









1960

1970

1980

1990

2000

2005

2010

2015

2017

2018

Other Wastes

FoodA

13.8%

10.6%

8.6%

11.5%

12.6%

13.0%

14.2%

15.2%

15.1%

21.6%

Yard Trimmings

22.7%

19.2%

18.1%

16.8%

12.5%

12.6%

13.3%

13.2%

13.1%

12.1%

Miscellaneous Inorganic Wastes

1.5%

1.5%

1.5%

1.4%

1.4%

1.5%

1.5%

1.5%

1.5%

1.4%

Total Other Wastes

38.0%

31.2%

28.2%

29.7%

26.6%

27.1%

r 29.1%

r 29.9%

29.7%

35.1%

Total MSW Generated - %

100.0%

100.0%

100.0%

100.0%

100.0%

100.0%

100.0%

100.0%

100.0%

100.0%

* Generation before materials are recycled, composted, managed by other food pathways, combusted with energy recovery or landfilled. Details may

not add to totals due to rounding.

** Includes carbonated drinks and non-carbonated water, teas, flavored drinks and ready-to-drink alcoholic coolers and cocktails.
t Includes milk, juice, and other products packaged in gable top cartons and liquid food aseptic cartons.

A In 2018, the food waste measurement methodology was expanded to include additional sources of generation and management pathways beyond
composting, combustion with energy recovery and landfiMing. Please see https://www.epa.gov/facts-and-figures-about-materials-waste-and-
recycling/food-material-specific-data
Neg. = Less than 5,000 tons or 0.05 percent.	NA = Not Available	- Detailed data not available.

December 2020

36


-------
Advancing Sustainable Materials Management: Facts and Figures 2018

Table 24. Products Recycled,* Composted and Managed by Other Food
Pathways in the Municipal Solid Waste Stream, 1960 To 2018
(With Detail On Containers And Packaging)

(In thousands of tons)

Products

Thousands of Tons



1960

1970

1980

1990

2000

2005

2010

2015

2017

2018

Recycled

Durable Goods - recycled

350 940 1,360 3,460 6,580 7,970 9,390 9,880 10,550 10,570

(Detail in Table 15)



Nondurable Goods-recycled 2,390 3,730 4,670 8,800 17,560 19,770 19,190 16,190 16,290 14,190

(Detail in Table 19)



Containers and Packaging - recycled

Glass Packaging

Beer and Soft Drink Bottles**

90

140

730

1,890

1,530

2,000

2,350 2,230 1 1,880

1,840

Wine and Liquor Bottles

10

10

20

210

430

250

540 660 710

720

Other Bottles & Jars

Neg.

Neg.

Neg.

520

920

340

240 300 480

500

Total Glass Packaging

100

150

750

2,620

2,880

2,590

3,130 3,190 | 3,070

3,060

Steel Packaging

Beer and Soft Drink Cans

10

20

50

40

Neg.

Neg.

Neg. Neg. Neg.

Neg.

Cans

20

60

150

590

1,530

1,340

1,540 1,240 1,050

1,120

Other Steel Packaging

Neg.

Neg.

Neg.

60

160

160

350 380 420

510

Total Steel Packaging

30

80

200

690

1,690

1,500

1,890 1,620 | 1,470

1,630

Aluminum Packaging

Beer and Soft Drink Cans

Neg.

10

320

990

830

650

680 670 | 600

670

Other Cans

Neg.

Neg.

Neg.

Neg.

Neg.

Neg.

NA NA NA

NA

Foil and Closures

Neg.

Neg.

Neg.

20

30

40

NA NA NA

NA

Total Aluminum Pkg

Neg.

10

320

1,010

860

690

680 670 | 600

670

Paper & Paperboard Pkg

Corrugated Boxes

2,520

2,760

6,390 11,530

20,330 22,100

24,690

28,930

28,780

32,090

Other Paper & Paperboard Pkg





Gable Top/Aseptic Cartons*





Neg.

Neg.

Neg.

Neg.

-

-

-

-

Folding Cartons





520

340

410

1,190

-

-

-

-

Other Paperboard Packaging





Neg.

Neg.

Neg.

Neg.

-

-

-

-

Bags and Sacks





Neg.

200

300

320

-

-

-

-

Wrapping Papers





Neg.

Neg.

Neg.

Neg.

-

-

-

-

Other Paper Packaging

220

350

300

Neg.

Neg.

Neg.

-

-

-

-

Subtotal Other Paper &
Paperboard Pkg













2,160

2,270

1,300

1,800

Total Paper & Board Pkg

2,740

3,110

7,210

12,070

21,040

23,610

26,850

31,200

30,080

33,890

Plastics Packaging

PET Bottles and Jars





10

140

380

590

780 890 | 860

910

HDPE Natural Bottles





Neg.

20

210

230

220 230 240

220

Other Containers

Neg.

Neg.

Neg.

20

170

140

300 360 | 300

310

Bags and Sacks



Wraps



Subtotal Bags, Sacks and Wraps





Neg.

60

180

230

450 530 390

420

Other Plastics Packaging

Neg.

Neg.

Neg.

20

90

90

100

140 100

120

Total Plastics Packaging

Neg.

Neg.

10

260

1,030

1,280

1,850

2,150 1,890

1,980

Other Packaging

Wood Packaging

Neg.

Neg.

Neg.

130

1,370

1,830

2,280

2,660

3,030

3,100

Other Misc. Packaging

Neg.

Neg.

Neg.

Neg.

Neg.

Neg.

Neg.

Neg.

Neg.

Neg.

Total Containers & Pkg - recycled

2,870

3,350

8,490

16,780

28,870

31,500

36,680

41,490

40,140

44,330

December 2020

37


-------
Advancing Sustainable Materials Management: Facts and Figures 2018

Table 24. Products Recycled,* Composted and Managed by Other Food
Pathways in the Municipal Solid Waste Stream, 1960 To 2018
(With Detail On Containers And Packaging)

(In thousands of tons)

Products

Thousands of Tons



1960

1970

1980

1990

2000

2005

2010

2015

2017

2018

Total Product Wastes-recycled 5,610 8,020 14,520 29,040

53,010 59,240 65,260 67,560 66,980 69,090

Composted



Food - composted





















FoodA

Neg.

Neg.

Neg.

Neg.

680

690

970

2,100

2,570

2,590

Yard Trimmings - composted





















Yard Trimmings

Neg.

Neg.

Neg.

4,200

15,770

19,860

19,200

21,290

24,420

22,300

Misc. Inorganic Wastes -
composted

Miscellaneous Inorganic Wastes

Neg.

Neg.

Neg.

Neg.

Neg.

Neg.

Neg.

Neg.

Neg.

Neg.

Total - composted

Neg.

Neg.

Neg.

4,200

16,450

20,550

20,170

23,390

26,990

24,890

Other Food Management

Other Food Management¥

Food - animal feed



















1,820

Food - bio-based

materials/biochemical processing



















1,840

Food - codigestion/anaerobic
digestion



















5,260

Food - donation



















4,790

Food - land application



















260

Food - sewer/wastewater
treatment



















3,740

Total Food - other food
management



















17,710

Total MSW Recycled and Composted
- Weight

5,610

8,020

14,520

33,240

69,460

79,790

85,430

90,950

93,970

93,980

Total MSW Recycled, Composted and
Other Food Management - Weight



















111,690

* Recycling of postconsumer wastes; does not include converting/fabrication scrap. Details may not add to totals due to rounding.

** Includes carbonated drinks and non-carbonated water, teas, flavored drinks and ready-to-drink alcoholic coolers and cocktails.
t Includes milk, juice and other products packaged in gable top cartons and liquid food aseptic cartons.

A Includes collection of other MSW organics for composting.

¥ In 2018, the food waste measurement methodology was expanded to include additional sources of generation and management pathways beyond
composting, combustion with energy recovery and la ndfi I ling. Please see https://www.epa.gov/facts-and-figures-about-materials-waste-and-
recycling/food-material-specific-data
Neg. = Less than 5,000 tons or 0.05 percent.	NA = Not Available	- Detailed data not available.

December 2020

38


-------
Advancing Sustainable Materials Management: Facts and Figures 2018

Table 25. Products Recycled,* Composted and Managed by Other Food
Pathways in the Municipal Solid Waste Stream, 1960 To 2018
(With Detail on Containers and Packaging)

(In percent of generation of each product)

Products

Percent of Generation of Each Product



1960

1970

1980

1990

2000

2005

2010

2015

2017

2018

Recycled

Durable Goods - recycled

3.5%

6.4%

6.2%

11.6%

16.9%

17.7%

19.0%

18.3%

18.6%

18.5%

(Detail in Table 15)

Nondurable Goods -
recycled

13.8%

14.9%

13.6%

16.9%

27.4%

31.1%

36.0%

31.2%

32.1%

28.1%

(Detail in Table 19)

Containers and Packaging - recycled

Glass Packaging

Beer and Soft Drink
Bottles**

6.4%

2.5%

10.8%

33.5%

26.8%

30.6%

41.4%

41.9%

38.9%

39.6%

Wine and Liquor Bottles

Neg.

Neg.

Neg.

10.3%

22.5%

15.3%

31.8%

36.5%

39.4%

39.8%

Other Bottles & Jars

Neg.

Neg.

Neg.

12.5%

26.9%

14.8%

12.1%

15.1%

14.9%

15.0%

Total Glass Packaging

1.6%

1.3%

5.4%

22.1%

26.1%

24.8%

33.4%

35.0%

31.2%

31.3%

Steel Packaging

Beer and Soft Drink
Cans

1.6%

1.3%

9.6%

26.7%

Neg.

Neg.

Neg.

Neg.

Neg.

Neg.

Cans

Neg.

1.7%

5.3%

23.2%

58.2%

62.9%

67.0%

71.3%

70.9%

70.9%

Other Steel Packaging

Neg.

Neg.

Neg.

30.0%

66.7%

66.7%

79.5%

79.2%

79.2%

81.0%

Total Steel Packaging

Neg.

1.5%

5.5%

23.9%

58.9%

63.3%

69.0%

73.0%

73.1%

73.8%

Aluminum Packaging

Beer and Soft Drink
Cans

Neg.

10.0%

37.6%

63.9%

54.6%

44.8%

49.6%

54.9%

45.1%

50.4%

Other Cans

Neg.

Neg.

Neg.

Neg.

Neg.

Neg.

NA

NA

NA

NA

Foil and Closures

Neg.

Neg.

Neg.

6.1%

7.9%

10.0%

NA

NA

NA

NA

Total Aluminum Pkg

Neg.

1.8%

25.2%

53.2%

44.1%

35.8%

35.8%

36.4%

31.9%

34.9%

Paper & Paperboard Pkg

Corrugated Boxes

34.4%

21.6%

37.4%

48.0%

67.3%

71.5%

85.0%

92.3%

88.4%

96.5%

Other Paper &
Paperboard Pkg



Gable Top/Aseptic
Cartonst





Neg.

Neg.

Neg.

Neg.

.

.

.

.

Folding Cartons





Neg.

Neg.

7.0%

21.5%

-

-

-

-

Other Paperboard
Packaging





Neg.

Neg.

Neg.

Neg.

.

.

.

.

Bags and Sacks





Neg.

Neg.

20.1%

28.6%

-

-

-

-

Wrapping Papers





Neg.

Neg.

Neg.

Neg.

-

-

-

-

Other Paper Packaging

7.5%

9.2%

35.3%

Neg.

Neg.

Neg.

-

-

-

-

Subtotal Other Paper &
Paperboard Pkg













25.0%

26.4%

15.3%

20.8%

Total Paper & Board
Pkg

19.4%

14.5%

27.4%

36.9%

52.7%

59.6%

71.3%

78.2%

73.3%

80.9%

Plastics Packaging



PET Bottles and Jars





3.8%

32.6%

22.1%

23.2%

29.2%

29.9%

29.1%

29.1%

HDPE Natural Bottles





Neg.

3.8%

30.4%

28.8%

27.5%

30.3%

31.2%

29.3%

Other Containers

Neg.

Neg.

Neg.

1.4%

9.8%

9.9%

16.4%

18.6%

15.1%

15.6%

Bags and Sacks



Wraps



December 2020

39


-------
Advancing Sustainable Materials Management: Facts and Figures 2018

Table 25. Products Recycled,* Composted and Managed by Other Food
Pathways in the Municipal Solid Waste Stream, 1960 To 2018
(With Detail on Containers and Packaging)

(In percent of generation of each product)

Products

Percent of Generation of Each Product



1960

1970

1980

1990

2000

2005

2010

2015

2017

2018

Subtotal Bags, Sacks
and Wraps





Neg.

2.4%

4.3%

5.2%

11.5%

12.8%

9.4%

10.0%

Other Plastics Packaging

Neg.

Neg.

Neg.

1.0%

3.2%

2.8%

2.2%

2.9%

2.2%

2.7%

Total Plastics Packaging

Neg.

Neg.

Neg.

3.8%

9.2%

10.3%

13.5%

14.6%

13.0%

13.6%

Other Packaging



Wood Packaging

Neg.

Neg.

Neg.

1.6%

15.9%

19.8%

23.3%

27.2%

26.2%

26.9%

Other Misc. Packaging

Neg.

Neg.

Neg.

Neg.

Neg.

Neg.

Neg.

Neg.

Neg.

Neg.

Total Containers & Pkg —
recycled

10.5%

7.7%

16.1%

26.0%

38.1%

41.3%

48.6%

53.2%

49.4%

53.9%

Total Product Wastes
recycled

10.3%

9.6%

13.3%

19.8%

29.7%

32.0%

36.6%

36.8%

35.5%

36.4%

Composted

Composted - Food

FoodA

Neg.

Neg.

Neg.

Neg.

2.2%

2.1%

2.7%

5.3%

6.3%

4.1%

Composted - Yard
Trimmings

Yard Trimmings

Neg.

Neg.

Neg.

12.0%

51.7%

61.9%

57.5%

61.3%

69.4%

63.0%

Composted - Misc.
Inorganic Wastes

Miscellaneous Inorganic
Wastes

Neg.

Neg.

Neg.

Neg.

Neg.

Neg.

Neg.

Neg.

Neg.

Neg.

Total - composted

Neg.

Neg.

Neg.

6.8%

25.4%

29.9%

27.6%

29.8%

33.8%

24.3%

Other Food Management

Other Food Management¥

Food - animal feed



















2.9%

Food - bio-based
materials/biochemical
processing



















2.9%

Food -
codigestion/anaerobic
digestion



















8.3%

Food - donation



















7.6%

Food - land application



















0.4%

Food -
sewer/wastewater
treatment



















5.9%

Total Food - other food
management



















28.1%

Total MSW Recycled and
Composted - %

6.4%

6.6%

9.6%

16.0%

28.5%

31.4%

34.0%

34.7%

35.0%

32.1%

Total MSW Recycled,
Composted and Other
Food Management - %



















38.2%

* Recycling of postconsumer wastes; does not include converting/fabrication scrap. Details may not add to totals due to rounding.

** Includes carbonated drinks and non-carbonated water, teas, flavored drinks and ready-to-drink alcoholic coolers and cocktails.
t Includes milk, juice and other products packaged in gable top cartons and liquid food aseptic cartons.

A Includes collection of other MSW organics for composting.

¥ In 2018, the food waste measurement methodology was expanded to include additional sources of generation and management pathways beyond
composting, combustion with energy recovery and landfilling. Please see https://www.epa.gov/facts-and-figures-about-materials-waste-and-
recycling/food-material-specific-data
Neg. = Less than 5,000 tons or 0.05 percent.	NA = Not Available	- Detailed data not available.

December 2020

40


-------
Advancing Sustainable Materials Management: Facts and Figures 2018

Table 26. Products Combusted with Energy Recovery* in Municipal Solid Waste,

1960 to 2018
(With Detail on Containers and Packaging)

(In thousands of tons)

Products

Thousands of Tons



1960

1970

1980

1990

2000

2005

2010

2015

2017

2018

Durable Goods 0 60 440 4,480 6,260 6,750 7,070 8,640 9,080 9,120

(Detail in Table 16)

Nondurable Goods 0 90 580 7,380 9,000 7,980 6,030 6,960 6,720 7,090

(Detail in Table 20)

Containers and Packaging

Glass Packaging

Beer and Soft Drink Bottles**

0

20

120

640

810

830

590 1 610

580

550

Wine and Liquor Bottles

0

10

50

310

290

250

210 230

210

210

Other Bottles & Jars

0

20

100

620

490

350

310 330

540

550

Total Glass Packaging

0

50

270

1,570

1,590

1,430

1,110 \ 1,170

1,330

1,310

Steel Packaging

Beer and Soft Drink Cans

0

10

10

20

Neg.

Neg.

Neg.

Neg.

Neg.

Neg.

Cans

0

10

50

330

210

140

130 1 100

80

90

Other Steel Packaging

0

Neg.

Neg.

20

20

10

20 20

20

20

Total Steel Packaging

0

20

60

370

230

150

150 \ 120

100

no

Aluminum Packaging

Beer and Soft Drink Cans

0

Neg.

10

100

130

150

120

110

140

130

Other Cans

0

Neg.

Neg.

Neg.

10

10

10 1 30

10

20

Foil and Closures

0

Neg.

10

50

70

70

80 100

100

100

Total Aluminum Pkg

0

Neg.

20

150

210

230

210 \ 240

250

250

Paper & Paperboard Pkg

Corrugated Boxes

0

40

210

2,120

1,920

1,610

770

470

740

230

Other Paper & Paperboard Pkg





Gable Top/Aseptic Cartons*





20

90

110

90

-

-

-

-

Folding Cartons





70

670

1,050

790

-

-

-

-

Other Paperboard Packaging

0

20

Neg.

50

40

30

-

-

-

-

Bags and Sacks





70

380

230

150

-

-

-

-

Wrapping Papers





Neg.

20

Neg.

Neg.

-

-

-

-

Other Paper Packaging

0

10

10

170

320

250

-

-

-

-

Subtotal Other Paper &
Paperboard Pkg













1,150

1,240

1,420

1,340

Total Paper & Board Pkg

0

70

380

3,500

3,670

2,920

1,920

1,710

2,160

1,570

Plastics Packaging

PET Bottles and Jars





Neg.

50

260

350

330

410

410

440

HDPE Natural Bottles





Neg.

90

90

100

100

100

100

100

Other Containers

0

Neg.

20

240

300

230

270

310

330

330

Bags and Sacks



Wraps



Subtotal Bags, Sacks and Wraps





30

410

780

770

620

710

740

740

Other Plastics Packaging

0

Neg.

20

340

530

570

770

930

890

850

Total Plastics Packaging

0

Neg.

70

1,130

1,960

2,020

2,090

2,460

2,470

2,460

December 2020

41


-------
Advancing Sustainable Materials Management: Facts and Figures 2018

Table 26. Products Combusted with Energy Recovery* in Municipal Solid Waste,

1960 to 2018
(With Detail on Containers and Packaging)

(In thousands of tons)

Products

Thousands of Tons



1960

1970

1980

1990

2000

2005

2010

2015

2017

2018

Other Packaging



Wood Packaging

0

10

80

1,370

1,400

1,350

1,330

1,390

1,670

1,650

Other Misc. Packaging

0

Neg.

Neg.

20

50

60

60

70

70

70

Total Containers & Pkg

0

150

880

8,110

9,110

8,160

6,870

7,160

8,050

7,420

Total Product Wastes

0

300

1,900

19,970

24,370

22,890

19,970

22,760

23,850

23,630

Other Wastes

Food

0

50

260

4,060

5,820

5,870

6,150

7,380

7,470

7,550

Yard Trimmings

0

90

550

5,240

2,860

2,220

2,510

2,630

2,110

2,570

Miscellaneous Inorganic Wastes

0

10

50

490

680

670

680

780

790

800

Total Other Wastes

0

150

860

9,790

9,360

8,760

9,340

10,790

10,370

10,920

Total MSW Combusted with Energy
Recovery - Weight

0

45 0

2,760

29,760

33,730

31,650

29,310

33,550

34,220

34,550

* Products and materials combusted with energy recovery estimated at percentage total MSW after recycling and composting. In 2018, 19.6 percent
of MSW after recycling and composting was combusted with energy recovery except for major appliances, tires and lead-acid batteries (see Table 16
for details) and food (percentage distribution for food varies by generator sector, see https://www.epa.gov/facts-and-figures-about-materials-
waste-and-recycling/food-material-specific-data). Details may not add to totals due to rounding.

** Includes carbonated drinks and non-carbonated water, teas, flavored drinks and ready-to-drink alcoholic coolers and cocktails.
t Includes milk, juice and other products packaged in gable top cartons and liquid food aseptic cartons.

Neg. = Less than 5,000 tons or 0.05 percent. NA = Not Available - Detailed data not available.

December 2020

42


-------
Advancing Sustainable Materials Management: Facts and Figures 2018

Table 27. Products Combusted with Energy Recovery* in Municipal Solid

Waste, 1960 to 2018
(With Detail on Containers and Packaging)

(In percent of total combusted)

Products



Percent of Total Combusted



1960

1970

1980

1990

2000

2005

2010

2015

2017

2018

Durable Goods 13.3% 15.9% 15.1% 18.6% 21.3% 24.1% 25.8% 26.5% 26.4%

(Detail in Table 16)

Nondurable Goods 19.9% 21.0% 24.8% 26.7% 25.2% 20.6% 20.7% 19.7% 20.5%

(Detail in Table 20)

Containers and Packaging







Glass Packaging



Beer and Soft Drink Bottles**



4.5%

4.3%

2.2%

2.4%

2.6%

2.0%

1.8%

1.7%

1.6%

Wine and Liquor Bottles



2.2%

1.8%

1.0%

0.8%

0.8% | 0.7% | 0.7%

0.6%

0.6%

Other Bottles & Jars



4.4%

3.6%

2.1%

1.5%

1.1% | 1.1% | 1.0%

1.6%

1.6%

Total Glass Packaging



11.1%

9.8%

5.3%

4.7%

4.5%

3.8%

3.5%

3.9%

3.8%

Steel Packaging

Beer and Soft Drink Cans



2.2%

0.4%

0.1%

Neg.

Neg. Neg. Neg.

Neg.

Neg.

Cans



2.2%

1.8%

1.1%

0.6%

0.5% 0.4% 0.3%

0.2%

0.2%

Other Steel Packaging



Neg.

Neg.

0.1%

0.1%

0.0% 0.1% 0.1%

0.1%

0.1%

Total Steel Packaging



4.4%

2.2%

1.2%

0.7%

0.5% 1 0.5%

0.4%

0.3%

0.3%

Aluminum Packaging

Beer and Soft Drink Cans



Neg.

0.4%

0.3%

0.4%

0.5%

0.4% 0.3%

0.3%

0.4%

Other Cans



Neg.

Neg.

Neg.

Neg.

Neg.

Neg.

0.1%

0.0%

0.0%

Foil and Closures



Neg.

0.4%

0.2%

0.2%

0.2%

0.3%

0.3%

0.3%

0.3%

Total Aluminum Pkg



Neg.

0.7%

0.5%

0.6%

0.7%

0.7%

0.7%

0.6%

0.7%

Paper & Paperboard Pkg

Corrugated Boxes



8.9%

7.6%

7.1%

5.7%

5.1%

2.6%

1.4%

2.2%

0.7%

Other Paper & Paperboard Pkg





Gable Top/Aseptic Cartons*





0.7%

0.3%

0.3%

0.3%

-

-

-

-

Folding Cartons





2.5%

2.3%

3.1%

2.5%

-

-

-

-

Other Paperboard Packaging



4.5%

Neg.

0.2%

0.1%

0.1%

-

-

-

-

Bags and Sacks





2.5%

1.3%

0.7%

0.4%

-

-

-

-

Wrapping Papers





Neg.

0.1%

Neg.

Neg.

-

-

-

-

Other Paper Packaging



2.2%

0.4%

0.6%

1.0%

0.8%

-

-

-

-

Subtotal Other Paper &
Paperboard Pkg













3.9%

3.7%

4.1%

3.8%

Total Paper & Board Pkg



15.6%

13.8%

11.8%

10.9%

9.2%

6.6%

5.1%

6.3%

4.5%

Plastics Packaging

PET Bottles and Jars





Neg.

0.2%

0.8%

1.1%

1.1%

1.3%

1.2%

1.3%

HDPE Natural Bottles





Neg.

0.3%

0.3%

0.3%

0.4%

0.3%

0.3%

0.3%

Other Containers



Neg.

0.7%

0.8%

0.9%

0.7%

0.9%

0.9%

1.0%

1.0%

Bags and Sacks



Wraps



Subtotal Bags, Sacks and Wraps





1.1%

1.4%

2.3%

2.4%

2.1%

2.1%

2.2%

2.1%

Other Plastics Packaging



Neg.

0.7%

1.1%

1.5%

1.8%

2.6%

2.8%

2.6%

2.5%

Total Plastics Packaging



Neg.

2.5%

3.8%

5.8%

6.4%

7.1%

7.4%

7.2%

7.2%

Other Packaging

Wood Packaging



2.2%

2.9%

4.6%

4.2%

4.3%

4.5%

4.1%

4.9%

4.8%

Other Misc. Packaging



Neg.

Neg.

0.1%

0.1%

0.2%

0.2%

0.2%

0.2%

0.2%

Total Containers & Pkg



33.3%

31.9%

27.3%

27.0%

25.8%

23.4%

21.4%

23.4%

21.5%

Total Product Wastes



66.6%

68.8%

67.1%

72.3%

72.3%

68.1%

67.9%

69.7%

68.4%

December 2020

43


-------
Advancing Sustainable Materials Management: Facts and Figures 2018

Table 27. Products Combusted with Energy Recovery* in Municipal Solid

Waste, 1960 to 2018
(With Detail on Containers and Packaging)

(In percent of total combusted)

Products



Percent of Total Combusted



1960

1970

1980 1990

2000

2005

2010

2015

2017

2018

Other Wastes

Food



11.1%

9.4%

13.6%

17.3%

18.5% 1 21.0% 1 22.0%

21.8%

21.9%

Yard Trimmings



20.0%

20.0%

17.6%

8.5%

7.0% 8.6% 7.8%

6.2%

7.4%

Miscellaneous Inorganic Wastes



2.3%

1.8%

1.7%

1.9%

2.1% | 2.3% | 2.3%

2.3%

2.3%

Total Other Wastes



33.4%

31.2%

32.9%

27.7%

27.7%

31.9%

32.1%

30.3%

31.6%

Total MSW Combusted with Energy
Recovery - %



100.0%

100.0%

100.0%

100.0%

100.0%

100.0%

100.0%

100.0%

100.0%

* Products and materials combusted with energy recovery estimated at percentage total MSW after recycling and composting. In 2018,19.6 percent
of MSW after recycling and composting was combusted with energy recovery except for major appliances, tires and lead-acid batteries (see Table 16
for details) and food (percentage distribution for food varies by generator sector, see https://www.epa.gov/facts-and-figures-about-materials-
waste-and-recycling/food-material-specific-data). Details may not add to totals due to rounding.

** Includes carbonated drinks and non-carbonated water, teas, flavored drinks and ready-to-drink alcoholic coolers and cocktails.
t Includes milk, juice and other products packaged in gable top cartons and liquid food aseptic cartons.

Neg. = Less than 5,000 tons or 0.05 percent. NA = Not Available	- Detailed data not available.

December 2020

44


-------
Advancing Sustainable Materials Management: Facts and Figures 2018

Table 28. Products Landfilled* in Municipal Solid Waste, 1960 to 2018
(With Detail on Containers and Packaging)

(In thousands of tons)

Products









Thousands of Tons











I960

1970

1980

1990

2000

2005

2010

2015

2017

2018

Durable Goods

9,570

13,660

20,000

21,870

26,030

30,340

32,890

35,420

37,240

37,410

(Detail in Table 17)

Nondurable Goods

14,940

21,240

29,170

35,990

37,450

35,900

28,030

28,660

27,690

29,160

(Detail in Table 21)

Containers and Packaging

Glass Packaging

Beer and Soft Drink Bottles**

1,310

5,420

5,890

3,110

3,370

3,710

2,730

2,480

2,370

2,260

Wine and Liquor Bottles

1,070

1,880

2,380

1,510

1,190

1,130

950

920

880

880

Other Bottles & Jars

3,710

4,420

4,680

3,020

2,010

1,600

1,440

1,360

2,200

2,280

Total Glass Packaging

6,090

11,720

12,950

7,640

6,570

6,440

5,120

4,760

5,450

5,420

Steel Packaging

Beer and Soft Drink Cans

630

1,540

460

90

Neg.

Neg.

Neg.

Neg.

Neg.

Neg.

Cans

3,740

3,470

2,650

1,620

890

650

630

400

350

370

Other Steel Packaging

260

270

240

120

60

70

70

80

90

100

Total Steel Packaging

4,630

5,280

3,350

1,830

950

720

700

480

440

470

Aluminum Packaging

Beer and Soft Drink Cans

Neg.

90

520

460

560

650

570

440

590

530

Other Cans

Neg.

60

40

20

40

70

60

100

40

60

Foil and Closures

170

410

370

260

280

290

380

390

400

410

Total Aluminum Pkg

170

560

930

740

880

1,010

1,010

930

1,030

1,000

Paper & Paperboard Pkg

Corrugated Boxes

4,810

9,960

10,480

10,360

7,960

7,220

3,590

1,930

3,020

940

Other Paper & Paperboard Pkg





Gable Top/Aseptic Cartons*





770

420

440

410

-

-

-

-

Folding Cartons





3,230

3,290

4,360

3,550

-

-

-

-

Other Paperboard Packaging

3,840

4,810

230

240

160

130

-

-

-

-

Bags and Sacks





3,310

1,860

960

650

-

-

-

-

Wrapping Papers





200

90

Neg.

Neg.

-

-

-

-

Other Paper Packaging

2,720

3,450

540

850

1,350

1,150

-

-

-

-

Subtotal Other Paper & Paperboard Pkg













5,320

5,080

5,800

5,500

Total Paper & Board Pkg

11,370

18,220

18,760

17,110

15,230

13,110

8,910

7,010

8,820

6,440

Plastics Packaging

PET Bottles and Jars





250

240

1,080

1,600

1,560

1,680

1,690

1,780

HDPE Natural Bottles





230

420

390

470

480

430

430

430

Other Containers

60

910

870

1,170

1,270

1,050

1,260

1,270

1,360

1,350

Bags and Sacks



Wraps



Subtotal Bags, Sacks and Wraps





1,200

2,000

3,240

3,450

2,860

2,890

3,010

3,040

Other Plastics Packaging

60

1,180

770

1,680

2,220

2,550

3,580

3,800

3,640

3,490

Total Plastics Packaging

120

2,090

3,320

5,510

8,200

9,120

9,740

10,070

10,130

10,090

Other Packaging

Wood Packaging

2,000

2,060

3,860

6,680

5,840

6,050

6,160

5,720

6,860

6,780

Other Misc. Packaging

120

130

130

130

190

220

280

300

280

270

Total Containers & Pkg

24,500

40,060

43,300

39,640

37,860

36,670

31,920

29,270

33,010

30,470

Total Product Wastes

49,010

74,960

92,470

97,500

101,340

102,910

92,840

93,350

97,940

97,040

December 2020

45


-------
Advancing Sustainable Materials Management: Facts and Figures 2018

Table 28. Products Landfilled* in Municipal Solid Waste, 1960 to 2018
(With Detail on Containers and Packaging)

(In thousands of tons)

Products

Thousands of Tons



1960

1970

1980

1990

2000

2005 2010

2015

2017

2018

Other Wastes

Food

12,200

12,750

12,740

19,800

24,200

26,370 28,620

30,250

30,630

35,280

Yard Trimmings

20,000

23,110

26,950

25,560

11,900

9,990 11,690

10,800

8,650

10,530

Miscellaneous Inorganic Wastes

1,300

1,770

2,200

2,410

2,820

3,020 3,160

3,210

3,250

3,270

Total Other Wastes

33,500

37,630

41,890

47,770

38,920

39,380 43,470

44,260

42,530

49,080

Total MSW Landfilled - Weight

82,510

112,590

134,360

145,270

140,260

142,290 136,310

137,610

140,470

146,120

* Landfilling after recycling, composting, other food management pathways and combustion with energy recovery. Does not include construction &

demolition debris, industrial process wastes or certain other wastes. Details may not add to totals due to rounding.

** Includes carbonated drinks and non-carbonated water, teas, flavored drinks and ready-to-drink alcoholic coolers and cocktails.
t Includes milk, juice and other products packaged in gable top cartons and liquid food aseptic cartons.

Neg. = Less than 5,000 tons or 0.05 percent. NA = Not Available - Detailed data not available.

December 2020

46


-------
Advancing Sustainable Materials Management: Facts and Figures 2018

Table 29. Products Landfilled* in Municipal Solid Waste, 1960 to 2018
(With Detail on Containers and Packaging)

(In percent of total landfilled)

Products

Percent of Total Landfilled



1960

1970

1980

1990

2000

2005

2010

2015

2017

2018

Durable Goods 11.6% 12.1% 14.9% 15.0% 18.6% 21.3% 24.1% 25.7% 26.5% 25.6%

(Detail in Table 17)

Nondurable Goods 18.1% 18.9% 21.7% 24.8% 26.7% 25.2% 20.6% 20.8% 19.7% 19.9%

(Detail in Table 21)

Containers and Packaging
Glass Packaging

Beer and Soft Drink Bottles**

1.6%

4.8%

4.4%

2.1% 2.4%

2.6%

2.0%

1.8%

1.7%

1.5%

Wine and Liquor Bottles

1.3%

1.7%

1.8%

1.0% 0.8%

0.8%

0.7%

0.7%

0.6%

0.6%

Other Bottles & Jars

4.5%

3.9%

3.5%

2.1% 1.5%

1.1%

1.1%

1.0%

1.6%

1.6%

Total Glass Packaging

7.4%

10.4%

9.6%

5.3% 4.7%

4.5%

3.8%

3.5%

3.9%

3.7%

Steel Packaging

Beer and Soft Drink Cans

0.8%

1.4%

0.3%

0.1% Neg.

Neg.

Neg.

Neg.

Neg.

Neg.

Cans

4.5%

3.1%

2.0%

1.1% 0.6%

0.5%

0.5%

0.3%

0.2%

0.3%

Other Steel Packaging

0.3%

0.2%

0.2%

0.1% 0.1%

0.0%

0.1%

0.1%

0.1%

0.1%

Total Steel Packaging

5.6%

4.7%

2.5%

1.3% 0.7%

0.5%

0.6%

0.4%

0.3%

0.4%

Aluminum Packaging

Beer and Soft Drink Cans

Neg.

0.1%

0.4%

0.3% 0.4%

0.5%

0.4%

0.3%

0.4%

0.4%

Other Cans

Neg.

0.1%

0.0%

0.0% Neg.

Neg.

Neg.

0.1%

0.0%

0.0%

Foil and Closures

0.2%

0.4%

0.3%

0.2% 0.2%

0.2%

0.3%

0.3%

0.3%

0.3%

Total Aluminum Pkg

0.2%

0.5%

0.7%

0.5% 0.6%

0.7%

0.7%

0.7%

0.7%

0.7%

Paper & Paperboard Pkg

Corrugated Boxes

5.8% 8.8% 7.8% 7.1% 5.7% 5.1% 2.6% 1.4% 2.1%

0.6%

Other Paper & Paperboard Pkg





Gable Top/Aseptic Cartons*





0.6%

0.3%

0.3%

0.3%

-

-

-

-

Folding Cartons





2.4%

2.3%

3.1%

2.5%

-

-

-

-

Other Paperboard Packaging

4.7%

4.3%

0.2%

0.2%

0.1%

0.1%

-

-

-

-

Bags and Sacks





2.5%

1.3%

0.7%

0.4%

-

-

-

-

Wrapping Papers





0.1%

0.1%

Neg.

Neg.

-

-

-

-

Other Paper Packaging

3.3%

3.1%

0.4%

0.6%

1.0%

0.8%

-

-

-

-

Subtotal Other Paper & Paperboard Pkg













3.9%

3.7%

4.1%

3.8%

Total Paper & Board Pkg

13.8%

16.2%

14.0%

11.8%

10.9%

9.2%

6.5%

5.1%

6.3%

4.4%

Plastics Packaging

PET Bottles and Jars





0.2%

0.2%

0.8%

1.1%

1.1%

1.2%

1.2%

1.2%

HDPE Natural Bottles





0.2%

0.3%

0.3%

0.3%

0.4%

0.3%

0.3%

0.3%

Other Containers

0.1%

0.8%

0.6%

0.8%

0.9%

0.7%

0.9%

0.9%

1.0%

0.9%

Bags and Sacks



Wraps



Subtotal Bags, Sacks and Wraps





0.9%

1.4%

2.3%

2.4%

2.1%

2.1%

2.1%

2.1%

Other Plastics Packaging

0.1%

1.0%

0.6%

1.2%

1.5%

1.8%

2.6%

2.8%

2.6%

2.4%

Total Plastics Packaging

0.1%

1.9%

2.5%

3.8%

5.8%

6.4%

7.1%

7.3%

7.2%

6.9%

Other Packaging

Wood Packaging

2.4%

1.8%

2.9%

4.6%

4.2%

4.3%

4.5%

4.2%

4.9%

4.6%

Other Misc. Packaging

0.1%

0.1%

0.1%

0.1%

0.1%

0.2%

0.2%

0.2%

0.2%

0.2%

Total Containers & Pkg

29.7%

35.6%

32.2%

27.3%

27.0%

25.8%

23.4%

21.4%

23.5%

20.9%

Total Product Wastes

59.4%

66.6%

68.8%

67.1%

72.3%

72.3%

68.1%

67.9%

69.7%

66.4%

Other Wastes

Food

14.8%

11.3%

9.5%

13.6%

17.3%

18.5%

21.0%

22.0%

21.8%

24.1%

Yard Trimmings

24.2%

20.5%

20.1%

17.6%

8.5%

7.0%

8.6%

7.8%

6.2%

7.2%

Miscellaneous Inorganic Wastes

1.6%

1.6%

1.6%

1.7%

1.9%

2.2%

2.3%

2.3%

2.3%

2.3%

Total Other Wastes

40.6%

33.4%

31.2%

32.9%

27.7%

27.7%

31.9%

32.1%

30.3%

33.6%

Total MSW Landfilled - %

100.0%

100.0%

100.0%

100.0%

100.0%

100.0%

100.0%

100.0%

100.0%

100.0%

* Landfilling after recycling, composting, other food management pathways and combustion with energy recovery. Does not include construction &

demolition debris, industrial process wastes or certain other wastes. Details may not add to totals due to rounding.

** Includes carbonated drinks and non-carbonated water, teas, flavored drinks and ready-to-drink alcoholic coolers and cocktails.
t Includes milk, juice and other products packaged in gable top cartons and liquid food aseptic cartons.

Neg. = Less than 5,000 tons or 0.05 percent. NA = Not Available - Detailed data not available.

December 2020

47


-------
Advancing Sustainable Materials Management: Facts and Figures 2018

Table 30. Selected Examples of Source Reduction Practices



MSW Product Categories

Source Reduction
Practice

Durable Goods

Nondurable Goods

Containers & Packaging

Organics
(Wood, Yard Waste, Food, etc.)

Product or Packaging Redesign

Materials
reduction

¦	Downgauge metals in
appliances

¦	Use fewer materials in
electronics

¦	Use paperless
purchase orders

¦	Use concentrated
products

¦	Implement container
lightweighting

¦	Use right size packaging

¦	Eliminate unnecessary
layers of packaging

¦	Use refillable/reusable
containers, including use
of flexible pouches for
refills for rigid containers

¦	Optimize food packaging
(size and design) to
maximize consumption
of product

¦	Trayless dining in
cafeterias

¦	Smaller plates and
portions in food service
settings

¦	Standardized food
product date labeling

Materials
substitution

¦ Use of composites in
appliances and
electronic circuitry



¦	Replace rigid or heavy
packaging with lighter or
more compact options,
e.g., cereal in bags, coffee
in brick packs

¦	Use life cycle data to
choose material with
lower lifecycle impact

¦ Marketing, sale and
consumption of off-
grade produce

Lengthen

product

lifespan

¦	Use high mileage tires

¦	Design for upgrades
(e.g., add computer
memory or processing
capacity, battery
upgrades)

¦	Perform regular
servicing

¦	Consider purchasing
warranties to make
repair more
affordable

¦	Extend warranties

¦	Design for secondary use

¦	Use Reusable packaging

¦ Use intelligent packaging
that extends shelf life
and prevents spoilage of
food products

Consumer and Business Practices



¦	Purchase long-lived
products

¦	Perform regular
servicing

¦	Perform repair

¦	Buy fewer items

¦	Perform repair

¦	Use duplex printing

¦	Share products

¦	Reduce unwanted
mail

¦	Purchase
concentrated
products

¦	Buy fewer items

¦	Purchase products in bulk
(less packaging)

¦	Use reusable bags and
containers

¦	Buy fewer items

¦	Implement xeriscaping

¦	Perform backyard
composting, vermi-
composting and
grasscycling

¦	Donate food from
businesses

¦	Businesses can use just in
time ordering/inventory
control

¦	Businesses can avoid
food spoilage by
changing:

—	Storage and
transportation

—	Supply chain
management

¦	Adjust menus to reduce
frequently uneaten or
wasted items

¦	Avoid spoilage by
monitoring and tracking
food and purchases and
use

¦	Perform proper food
storage and preparation

¦	Repurpose (e.g., older
bread can be made into
croutons)

December 2020

48


-------
Advancing Sustainable Materials Management: Facts and Figures 2018

Table 30. Selected Examples of Source Reduction Practices



MSW Product Categories

Source Reduction
Practice

Durable Goods

Nondurable Goods

Containers & Packaging

Organics
(Wood, Yard Waste, Food, etc.)

Reuse



By Design

¦	Document materials
and methods for
disassembly/
repair/reuse

¦	Use materials and
systems that exhibit
modularity, and
standardization to
facilitate reuse and
repair

—	Minimize
connections
between parts
and/or make
connections more
accessible for ease
of repair and
replacement of
parts

—	Use mechanical
connections with
bolts and screws
instead of glues,
to facilitate repair

—	Minimize
connections to
increase ease of
repair or part
replacement

—	Provide adequate
tolerances to
allow for removal
and replacement
or repair of parts
without affecting
adjacent
components

¦ Use reusable shipping
or mailing envelopes

¦	Use reusable pallets

¦	Use returnable secondary
packaging

¦	Use reusable/refillable
dispensers for cleaning
products

¦	Use reusable service ware
in food service

¦	Use durable reusable
water bottles instead of
disposable bottles



Secondary

¦	Borrow or rent for
temporary use

¦	Give to charity

¦	Buy or sell at garage
sales

¦	Donate clothing,
books

¦	Waste paper scratch
pads

¦	Use reusable grocery
sacks

¦	Reuse glass and plastic
bottles and jars



December 2020

49


-------
Advancing Sustainable Materials Management: Facts and Figures 2018

Table 31. Households with Residential Food Collection
Programs in the U.S., 2018*

State

Curbside Households

Drop off Households

with Access

with Access

Alaska

—

500

California

2,752,008

41,730

Colorado

293,325

601,295

Connecticut

—

28,364

District of Columbia

—

255,000

Idaho

73,738

—

Illinois

148,448

207,000

Iowa

83,601

—

Maine

926

23,012

Maryland

18,425

—

Massachusetts

45,319

412,103

Michigan

47,419



Minnesota

186,828

1,0 8/, OK)

New Hampshire

—

5,244

New Jersey

21,521



New York

790,090

3,159,035

North Carolina

—

509,000

Ohio

443

—

Oregon

188,441

—

Pennsylvania

3,600

—

Texas

403,000

—

Vermont

19,767

93,840

Virginia

3,025

25,166

Washington

980,578

253,622

Wisconsin

23,176



Households with Access to
Collection

6,083,678

6,701,927

Total U.S. Households

126,224,000

126,224,000

4.82%

5.31%

*Table presents 2017 data, the most recent data as of July 2020.

Source: Streeter, V.; Piatt B. 2017. Residential Food Waste Collection Access in the U.S. BioCycle
December. Supplemented with additional Internet research. U.S. Census Bureau (2018) Historical
Household Tables, Table HH-1. Households by Type: 1940 to Present.

December 2020

50


-------
Advancing Sustainable Materials Management: Facts and Figures 2018

Table 32. Material Recovery Facilities (MRF), 2018*

Region

Number

Estimated Throughput
(tons per day)

NORTHEAST

128

22,528

SOUTH

142

23,718

MIDWEST

139

18,016

WEST

123

26,867

U.S. Total

532

91,129

*Number of facilities and throughput include bale and ship operations receiving fiber, mainly old
corrugated cardboard (OCC), that bale and ship with no additional processing. Throughput is the tons
of waste processed by the facility.

Source: Governmental Advisory Associates, Inc. Data provided August 2019.

Northeast: Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York,
Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont

South: Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana,
Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, West
Virginia

Midwest: Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota,
Ohio, South Dakota, Wisconsin

West: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon,
Utah, Washington, Wyoming

December 2020

51


-------
Advancing Sustainable Materials Management: Facts and Figures 2018

Table 33. Municipal Waste-To-Energy Projects, 2018

Region

Number
Operational

Design Capacity
(tons per day)

NORTHEAST

37

44,807

SOUTH

19

32,194

MIDWEST

14

11,524

WEST

5

6,530

U.S. Total*

75

95,055

*WTE includes mass burn, modular and refuse-derived fuel combustion facilities.

Source: "The 2018 ERC Directory of Waste-to-Energy Facilities." Energy Recovery Council (ERC). 2018.
Northeast: Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York,
Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont

South: Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana,
Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, West
Virginia

Midwest: Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota,
Ohio, South Dakota, Wisconsin

West: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon,
Utah, Washington, Wyoming

December 2020

52


-------
Advancing Sustainable Materials Management: Facts and Figures 2018

Table 34. Landfill Facilities, 2018

Region

Number of Landfills

NORTHEAST

105

SOUTH

491

MIDWEST

345

WEST

328

U.S. Total

1,269

Source: U.S. EPA. Landfill Methane Outreach Program (LMOP) Facility-level database.
Data represents MSW landfills open July 2019.

Northeast: Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York,
Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont

South: Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky,
Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee,
Texas, Virginia, West Virginia

Midwest: Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North
Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, Wisconsin

West: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New
Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington, Wyoming

December 2020

53


-------
Advancing Sustainable Materials Management: Facts and Figures 2018

Table 35. Generation, Recycling, Composting, Combustion with Energy
Recovery and Landfilling of Municipal Solid Waste, 1960 to 2018

(In thousands of tons and percent of total generation)



Thousands of Tons



1960

1970

1980

1990

2000

2005

2010

2015

2017

2018

Generation

88,120

121,060

151,640

208,270

243,450

253,730

251,050

262,110

268,660

292,360

Recycling

5,610

8,020

14,520

29,040

53,010

59,240

65,260

67,560

66,980

69,090

Composting*

Neg.

Neg.

Neg.

4,200

16,450

20,550

20,170

23,390

26,990

24,890

Other food



















17,710

management**





















Combustion with





















energy recovery¥

0

450

2,760

29,760

33,730

31,650

29,310

33,550

34,220

34,550

Discards to landfill,





















other disposalt

82,510

112,590

134,360

145,270

140,260

142,290

136,310

137,610

140,470

146,120



Pounds per Person per Day



1960

1970

1980

1990

2000

2005

2010

2015

2017

2018

Generation

2.68

3.25

3.66

4.57

4.74

4.69

4.45

4.48

4.53

4.90

Recycling

0.17

0.22

0.35

0.64

1.03

1.10

1.16

1.15

1.13

1.16

Composting*

Neg.

Neg.

Neg.

0.09

0.32

0.38

0.36

0.40

0.45

0.42

Other food





















management**



















0.30

Combustion with





















energy recovery¥

0.00

0.01

0.07

0.65

0.66

0.59

0.52

0.57

0.58

0.58

Discards to landfill,





















other disposalt

2.51

3.02

3.24

3.19

2.73

2.62

2.41

2.36

2.37

2.44

Population (thousands)

179,979

203,984

227,255

249,907

281,422

296,410

309,051

320,897

325,147

327,167



Percent of Total Generation



1960

1970

1980

1990

2000

2005

2010

2015

2017

2018

Generation

100.0%

100.0%

100.0%

100.0%

100.0%

100.0%

100.0%

100.0%

100.0%

100.0%

Recycling

6.4%

6.6%

9.6%

14.0%

21.8%

23.3%

26.0%

25.8%

24.9%

23.6%

Composting*

Neg.

Neg.

Neg.

2.0%

6.7%

8.1%

8.0%

8.9%

10.1%

8.5%

Other food





















management**



















6.1%

Combustion with





















energy recovery¥

0.0%

0.4%

1.8%

14.2%

13.9%

12.5%

11.7%

12.8%

12.7%

11.8%

Landfilling and other





















disposalt

93.6%

93.0%

88.6%

69.8%

57.6%

56.1%

54.3%

52.5%

52.3%

50.0%

Composting of yard trimmings, food and other MSW organic material. Does not include backyard composting.

Includes the following management pathways: animal feed, bio-based materials/biochemical processing, codigestion/anaerobic digestion, donation,
land application, and sewer/wastewater treatment

¥ Includes combustion with energy recovery 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). 2018 includes 30,190 MSW, 1,650 wood, and 2,710 tires (1,000 tons)
t Landfilling after recycling, composting, other food management, and combustion with energy recovery.

Details may not add to totals due to rounding.

Source population: U.S. Census Bureau Population Division (NST-EST2016-01) December 2018.

December 2020

54


-------
Advancing Sustainable Materials Management: Facts and Figures 2018

Figure 1. Municipal Solid Waste in the Universe of Subtitle D Wastes

The Subtitle D Waste included in this report as Municipal Solid Waste (MSW), which includes:

¦ Containers and packaging such as soft drink bottles and corrugated boxes

¦ Durable goods such as furniture and appliances



¦ Nondurable goods such as newspapers, trash bags and clothing

¦ Other wastes such as food and yard trimmings.



Subtitle D Wastes not included as MSW in this report are:



¦ Municipal sludges

¦ Agricultural wastes

¦ Industrial nonhazardous process wastes

¦ Oil and gas wastes

¦ Construction and demolition debris*

¦ Mining wastes

¦ Land clearing debris

¦ Auto bodies

¦ Transportation parts and equipment

¦ Grease and oils (non-food)

Construction and demolition debris are included in this report, but are outside of the scope of MSW.

December 2020

55


-------
Advancing Sustainable Materials Management: Facts and Figures 2018

Figure 2. Definition of Terms

The materials flow methodology produces an estimate of total municipal solid waste (MSW) generation in the
United States, by material categories and by product categories.

Generation refers to the weight of materials and products as they enter the waste management system from
residential, commercial and institutional sources and before recycling, composting, combustion or landfilling take place.
Preconsumer (industrial) scrap is not included in the generation estimate. Source reduction activities, such as backyard
composting of yard trimmings, take place ahead of generation.

Source reduction as used in this report refers to activities that reduce the amount of wastes before they enter
the municipal solid waste management system. Reuse is a source reduction activity involving the recovery or reapplication
of a package, used product or material in a manner that retains its original form or identity. Reuse of products such as
refillable glass bottles and reusable plastic food storage containers is considered to be source reduction, not recycling.

Recycling is defined as the recovery of useful materials, such as paper, glass, plastic and metals, from the MSW
stream, along with the transformation of the materials, to make new products to reduce the amount of virgin raw
materials needed to meet consumer demands.

Composting is the decomposition of organic materials by aerobic microorganisms. Composting facilities manage
the amount of moisture and oxygen and mixture of organic materials for optimal composting conditions. The composting
process emits heat, water vapor and biogenic carbon dioxide, reducing the raw organic materials in mass and volume to
create compost.1

Combustion with energy recovery is often called "waste-to-energy," and as used in this report refers to confined
and controlled burning with energy recovery, which not only decreases the volume of solid waste destined for landfills,
but can also recover energy from the waste burning process.

Landfilling refers to the MSW remaining after recycling, composting and combustion with energy recovery. These
materials presumably would be landfilled in a discrete area of land or excavation that receives household waste. Some
MSW, however, is littered, stored or disposed onsite; or burned onsite, particularly in rural areas. There are no good
estimates for these other disposal practices available, but the total amounts of MSW involved are assumed to be small.

For the analysis of municipal solid waste in this report, products are divided into three basic categories: durable
goods, nondurable goods and containers and packaging. The durable goods and nondurable goods categories generally
follow the definitions of the U.S. Department of Commerce.

Durable goods are those products that last three years or more. Products in this category include major and
small appliances, furniture and furnishings, carpets and rugs, tires, lead-acid batteries, consumer electronics and other
miscellaneous durables.

Nondurable goods are those products that last less than three years. Products in this category include
newspapers, books, magazines, office papers, directories, mail, other commercial printing, tissue paper and towels, paper
and plastic plates and cups, trash bags, disposable diapers, clothing and footwear, towels, sheets and pillowcases, other
nonpackaging paper and other miscellaneous nondurables.

Containers and packaging are assumed to be discarded the same year the products they contain are purchased.
Products in this category include bottles, containers, corrugated boxes, milk cartons, folding cartons, bags, sacks, and
wraps, wood packaging and other miscellaneous packaging.

1 Piatt, B., Goldstein, N. 2014. State of Composting in the U.S. BioCycle 55(6): 19. http://www.biocvcle.net/2014/07/16/state-of-
composting-in-the-us/.

December 2020

56


-------
Advancing Sustainable Materials Management: Facts and Figures 2018

Figure 3. Paper and Paperboard Products Generated in MSW, 2018

Books
Magazines
Bags and sacks
Paper plates and cups
Other packaging
Commercial printing
Marketing mail
Tissue paper and towels
Other papers
Office-type papers
Newspapers/mechanical papers
Gable top/aseptic and folding cartons
Corrugated boxes

I
¦



0

14

million tons

21

28

35

December 2020

57


-------
Advancing Sustainable Materials Management: Facts and Figures 2018

Figure 4. Paper and Paperboard Generation and Recycling, 1960 to 2018

	 Generation		 Recycling

December 2020

58


-------
Advancing Sustainable Materials Management: Facts and Figures 2018

Figure 5. Glass Products Generated in MSW, 2018

Wine & liquor bottles

Other bottles & jars

Durable goods

Beer & soft drink bottles*

0	1	2	3	4	5	6

million tons

December 2020

59


-------
Advancing Sustainable Materials Management: Facts and Figures 2018

Figure 6. Glass Generation and Recycling, 1960 to 2018

	Generation 	Recycling

December 2020

60


-------
Advancing Sustainable Materials Management: Facts and Figures 2018

Figure 7. Metal Products Generated in MSW, 2018

Nondurables

1100%

54% 46%





Packaging









80% i

8% 12

%

Durables











10	15

million tons

20

Ferrous metals
Aluminum
Other nonferrous

25

December 2020

61


-------
Advancing Sustainable Materials Management: Facts and Figures 2018

Figure 8. Metals Generation and Recycling, 1960 to 2018

	Generation		Recycling

December 2020

62


-------
Advancing Sustainable Materials Management: Facts and Figures 2018

Figure 9. Plastics Products Generated in MSW, 2018

Other containers

PET bottles and jars
and HDPE natural bottles

Bags, sacks and wraps
Other packaging
Nondurable goods
Durable goods

0	2	4	6	8	10	12	14

million tons

December 2020	63


-------
Advancing Sustainable Materials Management: Facts and Figures 2018

Figure 10. Plastics Generation and Recycling, 1960 to 2018

December 2020

64


-------
Advancing Sustainable Materials Management: Facts and Figures 2018

Figure 11. Generation of Materials in MSW, 1960 to 2018*

Yard trimmings
Food

Plastics

1960 1965 1970 1975 1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010 2015 2018

* Generation rose considerably from 2017 to 2018 mainly because EPA enhanced its food measurement methodology
to more fully account for all the ways wasted food is managed throughout the food system.

** "All other" includes primarily wood, rubber and leather, and textiles.

December 2020

65


-------
Advancing Sustainable Materials Management: Facts and Figures 2018

Figure 12. Recycled, Composted, Managed By Other Food Pathways,
Combustion with Energy Recovery and Landfilling of Materials in MSW, 1960 to

2018

A In this figure composting and other food management pathways are combined.

* Landfilling after composting, food waste management, recycling and combustion with energy recovery. Includes combustion without energy recovery.
The top line measures generation, because generation = recycling + composting + combustion with energy recovery + landfilling.

** MSW generation rose considerably from 2017 to 2018 mainly because EPA enhanced its food measurement methodology to more fully account for all
the ways wasted food is managed throughout the food system.

December 2020

66


-------
Advancing Sustainable Materials Management: Facts and Figures 2018

Figure 13. Materials Recycling, Composting and Other Food Management in

MSW* 2018

Recycling
(69.09 Million tons)

Rubber, leather

Composting and Other Food Management
(42.6 Million tons)

December 2020

67


-------
Advancing Sustainable Materials Management: Facts and Figures 2018

Figure 14. Materials Generated, Combusted with Energy Recovery

and Landfiiied in MSW, 2018

Generation
(292.36 Million tons)

2.9%

21.6%

23.1%



4.2%

12.1%

8.8%

6.2%

~ 8.9% |

12.2%

Combustion with Energy Recovery
(34.55 Million tons)

4.2%

Paper and paperboard

Glass

Metals

Plastics

Rubber, leather and textiles
Wood

Yard trimmings

Food

Other

Landfiiied (146.12 Million tons)

4.3%

December 2020

68


-------
Advancing Sustainable Materials Management: Facts and Figures 2018

Figure 15. Generation of Products in MSW, 1960 to 2018*

1960 1965 1970 1975 1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010 2015 2018

Generation rose considerably from 2017 to 2018 mainly because EPA enhanced its food measurement methodology
to more fully account for all the ways wasted food is managed throughout the food system.

December 2020

69


-------
Advancing Sustainable Materials Management: Facts and Figures 2018

Figure 16. Nondurable Goods Generated, Recycled, Combusted with Energy
Recovery and Landfilied in Municipal Solid Waste, 2018

Generation
(50.44 Million tons)

Recycling
(14.19 Million tons)

1.3%

13.6%

2.3%

85.1%

Combusted with Energy Recovery
(7.09 Million tons)

Landfilied
(29.16 Million tons)

3.2%

Paper and paperboard
Plastics

Rubber and leather
Textiles

Other

37.0%

20.1%

3.3% '

December 2020

70


-------
Advancing Sustainable Materials Management: Facts and Figures 2018

Figure 17. Containers and Packaging Materials Generated, Recycled, Combusted
with Energy Recovery and Landfilled in Municipal Solid Waste, 2018

Generation (82.22 Million tons)	Recycling (44.33 Million tons)

Combusted with Energy Recovery	Landfilled

(7.42 Million tons)	(30.47 Million tons)

*Primarily wood, with less than 1% textiles.

December 2020

71


-------
Advancing Sustainable Materials Management: Facts and Figures 2018

Figure 18. Containers and Packaging Products Generated, Recycled, Combusted
with Energy Recovery and Landfilled in Municipal Solid Waste, 2018

Generation (82.22 Million tons)
1%

Recycling (44.33 Million tons)

<1 %, v<1 %

Combusted with Energy Recovery
(7.42 Million tons)

1%-

22%

•3%

10%

1%-
3%

8%

2%

6%

18%

7%
4%

12%

3%

Landfilled
(30.47 Million tons)

1%-

Corrugated cardboard
Non-corrugated paper packaging
Glass beer and soft drink bottles
Other plastic containers
Other plastic packaging
PET bottles and jars

Glass wine and liquor bottles
Other glass bottles and jars
Steel packaging
Aluminum packaging
HDPE bottles - natural
Plastic bags, sacks and wraps

Wood packaging
Miscellaneous packaging

December 2020

72


-------
Advancing Sustainable Materials Management: Facts and Figures 2018

Figure 19. Diagram of Solid Waste Management

Generation
of waste for
management

Changes in
package
design

Changes in
purchasing
habits

Changes in
industrial
practices

Backyard
composting,
grasscyding

Increased
reuse

Other
changes in
use patterns

Recycling and
composting

1

->• Landfilling

Combustion
with energy
recovery

SOURCE REDUCTION

WASTE REDUCTION

December 2020

73


-------
Advancing Sustainable Materials Management: Facts and Figures 2018

December 2020

74


-------
Advancing Sustainable Materials Management: Facts and Figures 2018

Figure 21. Estimated MRF Throughput, 2018*
(Tons per day per million persons)

500

K 400

o»

Q_

E 300

U)

=S

% 200

ro
"O

3 100

Northeast

South

Midwest

West

"Throughput is the tons of waste processed.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Governmental Advisory Associates, Inc. Data provided August 2019

Northeast: Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont
South: Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina,
Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, West Virginia

Midwest: Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, Wisconsin
West: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington, Wyoming

December 2020

75


-------
Advancing Sustainable Materials Management: Facts and Figures 2018

Figure 22. Mixed Waste Processing Estimated Throughput, 2018*

(Tons per day per million persons)

500

400

= 300

200

100

n

Northeast

South

Midwest

West

"Throughput is the tons of waste processed.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau; Governmental Advisory Associates, Inc. Data provided August 2019.

Northeast: Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont
South: Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina,
Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, West Virginia

Midwest: Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, Wisconsin
West: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington, Wyoming

December 2020

76


-------
Advancing Sustainable Materials Management: Facts and Figures 2018

Figure 23. MSW Composting Throughput, 2018*
(Tons per day per million persons)

QJ
Q.

Q-
_C

U)
3
O

03

¦o

\s\
C

o

Northeast

South

Midwest

West

'Throughput is the tons of waste processed.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau; BioCycle, November 2011, BioCycle October 2017,

Mariposa County, CA; Marlborough, MA; Nantucket, MA; Faribault County, MN; Gallatin County, MT; Delaware County, NY; Medina
County, OH; Rapid City, SD; Sevier County, TN websites.

Northeast: Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont

South: Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, North
Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, West Virginia

Midwest: Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, Wisconsin
West: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington, Wyoming

December 2020

77


-------
Advancing Sustainable Materials Management: Facts and Figures 2018

ru

CD
_Q

E

Figure 24. Yard Trimmings Composting Facilities, 2018*

(In number of facilities)

1600
1400
1200

$ 1000

800
600
400
200
0



I

Northeast

South

Midwest

West

Source: Goldstein, N. "The State of Organics" BioCycle, October 2017. United States composting facilities data reported for

2015-2017. Facilities composting yard trimmings, yard trimmings and food waste, and mixed organics. Excludes 740 facilities composting

manure, biosolids, mixed MSW, or not defined.

Northeast: Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont

South: Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina,
Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, West Virginia

Midwest: Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, Wisconsin
West: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington, Wyoming
* Latest data available.

December 2020

78


-------
Advancing Sustainable Materials Management: Facts and Figures 2018

Figure 25. Municipal Waste-To-Energy Capacity, 2018
(Tons per day per million persons)

900 	

Northeast	South	Midwest	West

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Energy Recovery Council (ERC). 2018.

Northeast: Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont

South: Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina,
Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, West Virginia

Midwest: Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, Wisconsin
West: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington, Wyoming

December 2020

79


-------
Advancing Sustainable Materials Management: Facts and Figures 2018

Figure 26. Number of Landfills in the U.S., 2018

Northeast	South	Midwest	West

Source: U.S. EPA. Landfill Methane Outreach Program (LMOP) Facility-level database. Data represents MSW landfills open July 2019.

Northeast: Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont

South: Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, North
Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, West Virginia

Midwest: Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, Wisconsin
West: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington, Wyoming

December 2020

80


-------