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Text Version of Municipal Solid Waste Charts
Total MSW Generation, 2010: 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: 28.5%
- Food Scraps: 13.9%
- Yard Trimmings: 13.4%
- Plastics: 12.4%
- Metals: 9.0%
- Rubber, Leather, and Textiles: 8.4%
- Wood: 6.4%
- Glass: 4.6%
- Other: 3.4%
MSW Generation Rates, 1960-2010
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 2010.
- In 1960, the per capita generation of waste was 2.68 pounds per person per day, and total waste generation was 88.1 million tons.
- In 1965, the per capita generation of waste was 2.96 pounds per person per day, and total waste generation was 104.4 million tons.
- In 1970, the per capita generation of waste was 3.25 pounds per person per day, and total waste generation was 121.1 million tons.
- In 1975, the per capita generation of waste was 3.25 pounds per person per day, and total waste generation was 127.8 million tons.
- In 1980, the per capita generation of waste was 3.66 pounds per person per day, and total waste generation was 151.6 million tons.
- In 1985, the per capita generation of waste was 3.83 pounds per person per day, and total waste generation was 166.3 million tons.
- In 1990, the per capita generation of waste was 4.57 pounds per person per day, and total waste generation was 208.3 million tons.
- In 1995, the per capita generation of waste was 4.52 pounds per person per day, and total waste generation was 217.3 million tons.
- In 2000, the per capita generation of waste was 4.72 pounds per person per day, and total waste generation was 242.5 million tons.
- In 2005, the per capita generation of waste was 4.67 pounds per person per day, and total waste generation was 252.7 million tons.
- In 2010, the per capita generation of waste was 4.43 pounds per person per day and total waste generation was 249.9 million tons.
MSW Recycling Rates, 1960-2010
This line graph depicts waste recycling rates in the U.S. from 1960 to 2010, in both percentage and tons.
- In 1960, the recycling rate was 6.4%, and 5.6 million tons of materials were recycled.
- In 1965, the recycling rate was 6.2%, and 6.5 million tons of materials were recycled.
- In 1970, the recycling rate was 6.6%, and 8.0 million tons of materials were recycled.
- In 1975, the recycling rate was 7.3%, and 9.3 million tons of materials were recycled.
- In 1980, the recycling rate was 9.6%, and 14.5 million tons of materials were recycled.
- In 1985, the recycling rate was 10.1%, and 16.7 million tons of materials were recycled.
- In 1990, the recycling rate was 16.0%, and 33.2 million tons of materials were recycled.
- In 1995, the recycling rate was 25.7%, and 55.8 million tons of materials were recycled.
- In 2000, the recycling rate was 28.6%, and 69.5 million tons of materials were recycled.
- In 2005, the recycling rate was 31.6% and 79.9 million tons of materials were recycled.
- In 2010, the recycling rate was 34.1% and 85.1 million tons of materials were recycled.
Recycling Rates of Selected Materials, 2010
This bar graph depicts the recycling rates of selected materials in 2010. The recycling rates are as follows:
- Auto Batteries: 96.2%
- Newspapers/Mechanical Papers: 71.6%
- Steel Cans: 67.0%
- Yard Trimmings: 57.5%
- Aluminum Beer and Soda Cans: 49.6%
- Tires: 35.5%
- Glass Containers: 33.4%
- PET Bottles and Jars: 29.2%
- HDPE Natural (White Translucent) Bottles: 27.5%
