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Text Version of Municipal Solid Waste Charts
Total MSW Generation, 2008: 250 Million Tons (before recycling)
This pie chart depicts the percentage by which different materials contribute to the municipal solid waste stream. The breakdown is as follows:
- Paper: 31.0%
- Yard Trimmings: 13.2%
- Food Scraps: 12.7%
- Plastics: 12.0%
- Metals: 8.4%
- Rubber, Leather, and Textiles: 7.9%
- Wood: 6.6%
- Glass: 4.9%
- Other: 3.3%
MSW Generation Rates, 1960-2008
This line graph indicates the rate by which per capita generation of waste (in pounds per person per day) and total waste generation (in million tons) has increased from 1960 to 2008.
- In 1960, the per capita generation of waste was 2.7 pounds per person per day, and total waste generation was 88.1 million tons.
- In 1970, the per capita generation of waste was 3.3 pounds per person per day, and total waste generation was 121.1 million tons.
- In 1980, the per capita generation of waste was 3.7 pounds per person per day, and total waste generation was 151.6 million tons.
- In 1990, the per capita generation of waste was 4.5 pounds per person per day, and total waste generation was 205.2 million tons.
- In 2000, the per capita generation of waste was 4.6 pounds per person per day, and total waste generation was 238.3 million tons.
- In 2002, the per capita generation of waste was 4.6 pounds per person per day, and total waste generation was 239.4 million tons.
- In 2006, the per capita generation of waste was 4.6 pounds per person per day and total waste generation was 251.3 million tons.
- In 2007, the per capita generation of waste was 4.6 pounds per person per day and total waste generation was 254.6 million tons.
- In 2008, the per capita generation of waste was 4.5 pounds per person per day and total waste generation was 249.6 million tons.
MSW Recycling Rates, 1960-2008
This line graph depicts waste recycling rates in the U.S. from 1960 to 2008, in both percentage and tons.
- In 1960, the recycling rate was 6.4%, and 5.6 million tons of materials were recycled.
- In 1970, the recycling rate was 6.6%, and 8 million tons of materials were recycled.
- In 1980, the recycling rate was 9.6%, and 14.5 million tons of materials were recycled.
- In 1990, the recycling rate was 16.2%, and 33.2 million tons of materials were recycled.
- In 2000, the recycling rate was 24.5%, and 69.3 million tons of materials were recycled.
- In 2002, the recycling rate was 29.5%, and 70.6 million tons of materials were recycled.
- In 2006, the recycling rate was 32.3% and 82.2 million tons of materials were recycled.
- In 2007, the recycling rate was 33.1% and 84.2 million tons of materials were recycled.
- In 2008, the recycling rate was 33.2% and 82.9 million tons of materials were recycled.
Recycling Rates of Selected Materials, 2008
This bar graph depicts the recycling rates of selected materials in 2008. The recycling rates are as follows:
- Auto batteries: 99.2%
- Office Type Papers: 70.9%
- Yard Trimmings: 64.7%
- Steel Cans: 62.8%
- Aluminum Beer and Soft Drink Cans: 48.2%
- Tires: 35.4%
- HDPE Natural (White Translucent) Bottles: 29.3%
- Glass Containers: 28.0%
- PET Bottles and Jars: 27.2%
