Municipal solid waste generation statistics 2017
Key Figures
- 267.8 million tons : of municipal solid waste generated in 2017
The total generation of municipal solid waste in 2017 was 267.8 million tons (U.S. short tons, unless specified) of MSW, approximately 5.7 million tons more than the amount generated in 2015. MSW generated in 2017 increased to 4.51 pounds per person per day. This is an increase from the 262.1 million tons generated in 2015 and the 208.3 million tons in 1990.
Total MSW Generated by Material - 2017Materials MSW (%) Misc. Inorganic Wastes 1.5 Other 1.9 Textiles 6.3 Rubber and Leather 3.4 Wood 6.7 Food 15.2 Yard Trimmings 13.1 Plastics 13.2 Metals 9.4 Glass 4.2 Paper and Paperboard 25.0
Generation Tonnages 1960-2017Year Glass Paper & Paperboard Food Metals Misc Inorganic Waste Plastics Rubber & Leather Textiles Wood Yard Trimmings Other 1960 6720000 29990000 12200000 10820000 1300000 390000 1840000 1760000 3030000 20000000 70000 1970 12740000 44310000 12800000 13830000 1780000 2900000 2970000 2040000 3720000 23200000 770000 1980 15130000 55160000 13000000 15510000 2250000 6830000 4200000 2530000 7010000 27500000 2520000 1990 13100000 72730000 23860000 16550000 2900000 17130000 5790000 5810000 12210000 35000000 3190000 2000 12770000 87740000 30700000 18940000 3500000 25550000 6670000 9480000 13570000 30530000 4000000 2005 12540000 84840000 32930000 20400000 3690000 29380000 7290000 11510000 14790000 32070000 4290000 2010 3130000 44570000 970000 7920000 2500000 1440000 2050000 2280000 19200000 1370000 2015 3190000 45320000 2100000 8030000 3120000 1550000 2460000 2660000 21290000 1230000 2016 3160000 45520000 2150000 8180000 3240000 1760000 2510000 2940000 22960000 1320000 2017 3030000 44170000 2570000 8330000 2960000 1670000 2570000 3000000 24420000 1450000
Total MSW Combusted with Energy recovery by Material - 2017Materials MSW Combusted (%) Misc. Inorganic Wastes 2.3 Other 2.0 Textiles 9.3 Rubber and Leather 7.3 Wood 8.4 Paper and Paperboard 13.2 Glass 4.3 Metals 8.6
In 2017, 34 million tons of MSW were combusted with energy recovery. Food made up the largest component of MSW combusted at approximately 22 percent. Rubber, leather and textiles accounted for over 16 percent of MSW combustion. Plastics comprised about 16 percent, and paper and paperboard made up about 13 percent. The other materials accounted for less than 10 percent each.
Combustion with Energy Recovery Tonnages 1960-2017Year Glass Paper & Paperboard Food Metals Misc.Inorganic Waste Plastics Rubber & Leather Textiles Wood Yard Trimmings Other 1970 60000 150000 50000 60000 10000 10000 10000 10000 90000 1980 300000 860000 260000 300000 50000 140000 70000 50000 150000 550000 30000 1990 1810000 8930000 4060000 2050000 490000 2980000 830000 880000 2080000 5240000 410000 2000 1790000 9730000 5820000 2050000 680000 4120000 1970000 1880000 2290000 2860000 540000 2005 1660000 7800000 5870000 2100000 670000 4330000 2110000 2110000 2270000 2220000 510000 2010 1360000 4740000 6150000 2310000 680000 4530000 1910000 2270000 2310000 2510000 540000 2015 1440000 4450000 7380000 2720000 780000 5330000 2520000 3060000 2570000 2630000 670000 2016 1440000 4300000 7480000 2780000 790000 5340000 2650000 3240000 2860000 2350000 670000 2017 1480000 4490000 7470000 2920000 790000 5590000 2490000 3170000 2850000 2110000 670000
Total MSW Landfill by Material - 2017Materials MSW Landfill(%) Misc.Inorganic Wastes 2.3 Other 2.1 Textiles 8.0 Rubber and Leather 3.5 Wood 8.7 Food 21.9 Yard Trimmings 6.2 Paper and Paperboard 13.1 Glass 4.9 Metals 9.9 Plastics 19.2
In 2017, about 139.6 million tons of MSW were landfilled. Food was the largest component at about 22 percent. Plastics accounted for about 19 percent, paper and paperboard made up about 13 percent, and rubber, leather and textiles comprised over 11 percent. Other materials accounted for less than 10 percent each.
Landfill Tonnages 1960-2017Year Glass Paper & Paperboard Food Metals Misc. Inorganic Waste Plastics Rubber & Leather Textiles Wood Yard Trimmings Other 1960 6620000 24910000 12200000 10770000 1300000 390000 1510000 1710000 3030000 20000000 70000 1970 12520000 37390000 12750000 13290000 1770000 2900000 2710000 1970000 3710000 23110000 470000 1980 14080000 42560000 12740000 13990000 2200000 6670000 4000000 2320000 6860000 26950000 1990000 1990 8660000 43570000 19800000 10530000 2410000 13780000 4590000 4270000 10000000 25560000 2100000 2000 8100000 40450000 24200000 10290000 2820000 19950000 3880000 6280000 9910000 11900000 2480000 2005 8290000 35080000 26370000 11310000 3020000 23270000 4130000 7570000 10690000 9990000 2570000 2010 7030000 22000000 28620000 12220000 3160000 24370000 4400000 8900000 11120000 11690000 2800000 2015 6840000 18280000 30250000 13120000 3210000 26030000 4490000 10540000 11070000 10800000 2980000 2016 6880000 17660000 30680000 13640000 3230000 26290000 4790000 11130000 12250000 9640000 2990000 2017 6870000 18350000 30630000 13800000 3250000 26820000 4950000 11150000 12140000 8650000 2980000
Total MSW Recycling and Composting by Material 2017Materials MSW (%) Textiles 2.7 Rubber and Leather 1.8 Wood 3.2 Food 2.7 Yard Trimmings 25.9 Plastics 3.1 Metals 8.8 Glass 3.2 Paper and Paperboard 46.9 Other 1.5
Recycling
The total MSW recycled was 67.2 million tons, with paper and paperboard accounting for approximately 66 percent of that amount. Metals comprised about 12 percent, while glass, plastic and wood made up between 4 and 5 percent.
Composting
The total MSW composted was 27 million tons. This included approximately 24.4 million tons of yard trimmings (more than a five-fold increase since 1990) and 2.6 million tons of food waste.
Recycling and Composting Tonnages 1960 - 2017Year Glass Paper and Paperboard Food Metals Plastics Rubber & Leather Textiles Wood Yard Trimmings Other 1960 100000 5080000 50000 330000 50000 1970 160000 6770000 480000 250000 60000 300000 1980 750000 11740000 1220000 20000 130000 160000 5000000 1990 2630000 20230000 3970000 370000 370000 660000 130000 4200000 680000 2000 2880000 37560000 680000 6600000 1480000 820000 1320000 1370000 15770000 980000 2005 2590000 41960000 690000 6990000 1780000 1050000 1830000 1830000 19860000 1210000 2010 3130000 44570000 970000 7920000 2500000 1440000 2050000 2280000 19200000 1370000 2015 3190000 45320000 2100000 8030000 3120000 1550000 2460000 2660000 21290000 1230000 2016 3160000 45520000 2150000 8180000 3240000 1760000 2510000 2940000 22960000 1320000 2017 3030000 44170000 2570000 8330000 2960000 1670000 2570000 3000000 24420000 1450000
Recycling and Composting TrendsMaterials (%) 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2005 2010 2015 2016 2017 Paper and Paperboard 17 15 21 28 43 50 63 67 68 66 Glass 2 1 5 20 23 21 27 28 28 27 Plastics 2 6 6 8 9 9 8 Yard Trimmings 12 52 62 58 61 66 69 Lead-acid batteries 76 70 97 93 96 99 99 99 99
In percentage of total MSW generation, recycling (including composting) did not exceed 15 percent until 1990. Growth in the recycling rate was significant over the next 15 years, spanning until 2005. The recycling rate grew more slowly over the last few years. The 2017 recycling rate was 35.2 percent.
| Materials | MSW (%) |
|---|---|
| Misc. Inorganic Wastes | 1.5 |
| Other | 1.9 |
| Textiles | 6.3 |
| Rubber and Leather | 3.4 |
| Wood | 6.7 |
| Food | 15.2 |
| Yard Trimmings | 13.1 |
| Plastics | 13.2 |
| Metals | 9.4 |
| Glass | 4.2 |
| Paper and Paperboard | 25.0 |
Generation Tonnages 1960-2017Year Glass Paper & Paperboard Food Metals Misc Inorganic Waste Plastics Rubber & Leather Textiles Wood Yard Trimmings Other 1960 6720000 29990000 12200000 10820000 1300000 390000 1840000 1760000 3030000 20000000 70000 1970 12740000 44310000 12800000 13830000 1780000 2900000 2970000 2040000 3720000 23200000 770000 1980 15130000 55160000 13000000 15510000 2250000 6830000 4200000 2530000 7010000 27500000 2520000 1990 13100000 72730000 23860000 16550000 2900000 17130000 5790000 5810000 12210000 35000000 3190000 2000 12770000 87740000 30700000 18940000 3500000 25550000 6670000 9480000 13570000 30530000 4000000 2005 12540000 84840000 32930000 20400000 3690000 29380000 7290000 11510000 14790000 32070000 4290000 2010 3130000 44570000 970000 7920000 2500000 1440000 2050000 2280000 19200000 1370000 2015 3190000 45320000 2100000 8030000 3120000 1550000 2460000 2660000 21290000 1230000 2016 3160000 45520000 2150000 8180000 3240000 1760000 2510000 2940000 22960000 1320000 2017 3030000 44170000 2570000 8330000 2960000 1670000 2570000 3000000 24420000 1450000
Total MSW Combusted with Energy recovery by Material - 2017Materials MSW Combusted (%) Misc. Inorganic Wastes 2.3 Other 2.0 Textiles 9.3 Rubber and Leather 7.3 Wood 8.4 Paper and Paperboard 13.2 Glass 4.3 Metals 8.6
In 2017, 34 million tons of MSW were combusted with energy recovery. Food made up the largest component of MSW combusted at approximately 22 percent. Rubber, leather and textiles accounted for over 16 percent of MSW combustion. Plastics comprised about 16 percent, and paper and paperboard made up about 13 percent. The other materials accounted for less than 10 percent each.
Combustion with Energy Recovery Tonnages 1960-2017Year Glass Paper & Paperboard Food Metals Misc.Inorganic Waste Plastics Rubber & Leather Textiles Wood Yard Trimmings Other 1970 60000 150000 50000 60000 10000 10000 10000 10000 90000 1980 300000 860000 260000 300000 50000 140000 70000 50000 150000 550000 30000 1990 1810000 8930000 4060000 2050000 490000 2980000 830000 880000 2080000 5240000 410000 2000 1790000 9730000 5820000 2050000 680000 4120000 1970000 1880000 2290000 2860000 540000 2005 1660000 7800000 5870000 2100000 670000 4330000 2110000 2110000 2270000 2220000 510000 2010 1360000 4740000 6150000 2310000 680000 4530000 1910000 2270000 2310000 2510000 540000 2015 1440000 4450000 7380000 2720000 780000 5330000 2520000 3060000 2570000 2630000 670000 2016 1440000 4300000 7480000 2780000 790000 5340000 2650000 3240000 2860000 2350000 670000 2017 1480000 4490000 7470000 2920000 790000 5590000 2490000 3170000 2850000 2110000 670000
Total MSW Landfill by Material - 2017Materials MSW Landfill(%) Misc.Inorganic Wastes 2.3 Other 2.1 Textiles 8.0 Rubber and Leather 3.5 Wood 8.7 Food 21.9 Yard Trimmings 6.2 Paper and Paperboard 13.1 Glass 4.9 Metals 9.9 Plastics 19.2
In 2017, about 139.6 million tons of MSW were landfilled. Food was the largest component at about 22 percent. Plastics accounted for about 19 percent, paper and paperboard made up about 13 percent, and rubber, leather and textiles comprised over 11 percent. Other materials accounted for less than 10 percent each.
Landfill Tonnages 1960-2017Year Glass Paper & Paperboard Food Metals Misc. Inorganic Waste Plastics Rubber & Leather Textiles Wood Yard Trimmings Other 1960 6620000 24910000 12200000 10770000 1300000 390000 1510000 1710000 3030000 20000000 70000 1970 12520000 37390000 12750000 13290000 1770000 2900000 2710000 1970000 3710000 23110000 470000 1980 14080000 42560000 12740000 13990000 2200000 6670000 4000000 2320000 6860000 26950000 1990000 1990 8660000 43570000 19800000 10530000 2410000 13780000 4590000 4270000 10000000 25560000 2100000 2000 8100000 40450000 24200000 10290000 2820000 19950000 3880000 6280000 9910000 11900000 2480000 2005 8290000 35080000 26370000 11310000 3020000 23270000 4130000 7570000 10690000 9990000 2570000 2010 7030000 22000000 28620000 12220000 3160000 24370000 4400000 8900000 11120000 11690000 2800000 2015 6840000 18280000 30250000 13120000 3210000 26030000 4490000 10540000 11070000 10800000 2980000 2016 6880000 17660000 30680000 13640000 3230000 26290000 4790000 11130000 12250000 9640000 2990000 2017 6870000 18350000 30630000 13800000 3250000 26820000 4950000 11150000 12140000 8650000 2980000
Total MSW Recycling and Composting by Material 2017Materials MSW (%) Textiles 2.7 Rubber and Leather 1.8 Wood 3.2 Food 2.7 Yard Trimmings 25.9 Plastics 3.1 Metals 8.8 Glass 3.2 Paper and Paperboard 46.9 Other 1.5
Recycling
The total MSW recycled was 67.2 million tons, with paper and paperboard accounting for approximately 66 percent of that amount. Metals comprised about 12 percent, while glass, plastic and wood made up between 4 and 5 percent.
Composting
The total MSW composted was 27 million tons. This included approximately 24.4 million tons of yard trimmings (more than a five-fold increase since 1990) and 2.6 million tons of food waste.
Recycling and Composting Tonnages 1960 - 2017Year Glass Paper and Paperboard Food Metals Plastics Rubber & Leather Textiles Wood Yard Trimmings Other 1960 100000 5080000 50000 330000 50000 1970 160000 6770000 480000 250000 60000 300000 1980 750000 11740000 1220000 20000 130000 160000 5000000 1990 2630000 20230000 3970000 370000 370000 660000 130000 4200000 680000 2000 2880000 37560000 680000 6600000 1480000 820000 1320000 1370000 15770000 980000 2005 2590000 41960000 690000 6990000 1780000 1050000 1830000 1830000 19860000 1210000 2010 3130000 44570000 970000 7920000 2500000 1440000 2050000 2280000 19200000 1370000 2015 3190000 45320000 2100000 8030000 3120000 1550000 2460000 2660000 21290000 1230000 2016 3160000 45520000 2150000 8180000 3240000 1760000 2510000 2940000 22960000 1320000 2017 3030000 44170000 2570000 8330000 2960000 1670000 2570000 3000000 24420000 1450000
Recycling and Composting TrendsMaterials (%) 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2005 2010 2015 2016 2017 Paper and Paperboard 17 15 21 28 43 50 63 67 68 66 Glass 2 1 5 20 23 21 27 28 28 27 Plastics 2 6 6 8 9 9 8 Yard Trimmings 12 52 62 58 61 66 69 Lead-acid batteries 76 70 97 93 96 99 99 99 99
In percentage of total MSW generation, recycling (including composting) did not exceed 15 percent until 1990. Growth in the recycling rate was significant over the next 15 years, spanning until 2005. The recycling rate grew more slowly over the last few years. The 2017 recycling rate was 35.2 percent.
| Year | Glass | Paper & Paperboard | Food | Metals | Misc Inorganic Waste | Plastics | Rubber & Leather | Textiles | Wood | Yard Trimmings | Other |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1960 | 6720000 | 29990000 | 12200000 | 10820000 | 1300000 | 390000 | 1840000 | 1760000 | 3030000 | 20000000 | 70000 |
| 1970 | 12740000 | 44310000 | 12800000 | 13830000 | 1780000 | 2900000 | 2970000 | 2040000 | 3720000 | 23200000 | 770000 |
| 1980 | 15130000 | 55160000 | 13000000 | 15510000 | 2250000 | 6830000 | 4200000 | 2530000 | 7010000 | 27500000 | 2520000 |
| 1990 | 13100000 | 72730000 | 23860000 | 16550000 | 2900000 | 17130000 | 5790000 | 5810000 | 12210000 | 35000000 | 3190000 |
| 2000 | 12770000 | 87740000 | 30700000 | 18940000 | 3500000 | 25550000 | 6670000 | 9480000 | 13570000 | 30530000 | 4000000 |
| 2005 | 12540000 | 84840000 | 32930000 | 20400000 | 3690000 | 29380000 | 7290000 | 11510000 | 14790000 | 32070000 | 4290000 |
| 2010 | 3130000 | 44570000 | 970000 | 7920000 | 2500000 | 1440000 | 2050000 | 2280000 | 19200000 | 1370000 | |
| 2015 | 3190000 | 45320000 | 2100000 | 8030000 | 3120000 | 1550000 | 2460000 | 2660000 | 21290000 | 1230000 | |
| 2016 | 3160000 | 45520000 | 2150000 | 8180000 | 3240000 | 1760000 | 2510000 | 2940000 | 22960000 | 1320000 | |
| 2017 | 3030000 | 44170000 | 2570000 | 8330000 | 2960000 | 1670000 | 2570000 | 3000000 | 24420000 | 1450000 |
Total MSW Combusted with Energy recovery by Material - 2017Materials MSW Combusted (%) Misc. Inorganic Wastes 2.3 Other 2.0 Textiles 9.3 Rubber and Leather 7.3 Wood 8.4 Paper and Paperboard 13.2 Glass 4.3 Metals 8.6
In 2017, 34 million tons of MSW were combusted with energy recovery. Food made up the largest component of MSW combusted at approximately 22 percent. Rubber, leather and textiles accounted for over 16 percent of MSW combustion. Plastics comprised about 16 percent, and paper and paperboard made up about 13 percent. The other materials accounted for less than 10 percent each.
Combustion with Energy Recovery Tonnages 1960-2017Year Glass Paper & Paperboard Food Metals Misc.Inorganic Waste Plastics Rubber & Leather Textiles Wood Yard Trimmings Other 1970 60000 150000 50000 60000 10000 10000 10000 10000 90000 1980 300000 860000 260000 300000 50000 140000 70000 50000 150000 550000 30000 1990 1810000 8930000 4060000 2050000 490000 2980000 830000 880000 2080000 5240000 410000 2000 1790000 9730000 5820000 2050000 680000 4120000 1970000 1880000 2290000 2860000 540000 2005 1660000 7800000 5870000 2100000 670000 4330000 2110000 2110000 2270000 2220000 510000 2010 1360000 4740000 6150000 2310000 680000 4530000 1910000 2270000 2310000 2510000 540000 2015 1440000 4450000 7380000 2720000 780000 5330000 2520000 3060000 2570000 2630000 670000 2016 1440000 4300000 7480000 2780000 790000 5340000 2650000 3240000 2860000 2350000 670000 2017 1480000 4490000 7470000 2920000 790000 5590000 2490000 3170000 2850000 2110000 670000
Total MSW Landfill by Material - 2017Materials MSW Landfill(%) Misc.Inorganic Wastes 2.3 Other 2.1 Textiles 8.0 Rubber and Leather 3.5 Wood 8.7 Food 21.9 Yard Trimmings 6.2 Paper and Paperboard 13.1 Glass 4.9 Metals 9.9 Plastics 19.2
In 2017, about 139.6 million tons of MSW were landfilled. Food was the largest component at about 22 percent. Plastics accounted for about 19 percent, paper and paperboard made up about 13 percent, and rubber, leather and textiles comprised over 11 percent. Other materials accounted for less than 10 percent each.
Landfill Tonnages 1960-2017Year Glass Paper & Paperboard Food Metals Misc. Inorganic Waste Plastics Rubber & Leather Textiles Wood Yard Trimmings Other 1960 6620000 24910000 12200000 10770000 1300000 390000 1510000 1710000 3030000 20000000 70000 1970 12520000 37390000 12750000 13290000 1770000 2900000 2710000 1970000 3710000 23110000 470000 1980 14080000 42560000 12740000 13990000 2200000 6670000 4000000 2320000 6860000 26950000 1990000 1990 8660000 43570000 19800000 10530000 2410000 13780000 4590000 4270000 10000000 25560000 2100000 2000 8100000 40450000 24200000 10290000 2820000 19950000 3880000 6280000 9910000 11900000 2480000 2005 8290000 35080000 26370000 11310000 3020000 23270000 4130000 7570000 10690000 9990000 2570000 2010 7030000 22000000 28620000 12220000 3160000 24370000 4400000 8900000 11120000 11690000 2800000 2015 6840000 18280000 30250000 13120000 3210000 26030000 4490000 10540000 11070000 10800000 2980000 2016 6880000 17660000 30680000 13640000 3230000 26290000 4790000 11130000 12250000 9640000 2990000 2017 6870000 18350000 30630000 13800000 3250000 26820000 4950000 11150000 12140000 8650000 2980000
Total MSW Recycling and Composting by Material 2017Materials MSW (%) Textiles 2.7 Rubber and Leather 1.8 Wood 3.2 Food 2.7 Yard Trimmings 25.9 Plastics 3.1 Metals 8.8 Glass 3.2 Paper and Paperboard 46.9 Other 1.5
Recycling
The total MSW recycled was 67.2 million tons, with paper and paperboard accounting for approximately 66 percent of that amount. Metals comprised about 12 percent, while glass, plastic and wood made up between 4 and 5 percent.
Composting
The total MSW composted was 27 million tons. This included approximately 24.4 million tons of yard trimmings (more than a five-fold increase since 1990) and 2.6 million tons of food waste.
Recycling and Composting Tonnages 1960 - 2017Year Glass Paper and Paperboard Food Metals Plastics Rubber & Leather Textiles Wood Yard Trimmings Other 1960 100000 5080000 50000 330000 50000 1970 160000 6770000 480000 250000 60000 300000 1980 750000 11740000 1220000 20000 130000 160000 5000000 1990 2630000 20230000 3970000 370000 370000 660000 130000 4200000 680000 2000 2880000 37560000 680000 6600000 1480000 820000 1320000 1370000 15770000 980000 2005 2590000 41960000 690000 6990000 1780000 1050000 1830000 1830000 19860000 1210000 2010 3130000 44570000 970000 7920000 2500000 1440000 2050000 2280000 19200000 1370000 2015 3190000 45320000 2100000 8030000 3120000 1550000 2460000 2660000 21290000 1230000 2016 3160000 45520000 2150000 8180000 3240000 1760000 2510000 2940000 22960000 1320000 2017 3030000 44170000 2570000 8330000 2960000 1670000 2570000 3000000 24420000 1450000
Recycling and Composting TrendsMaterials (%) 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2005 2010 2015 2016 2017 Paper and Paperboard 17 15 21 28 43 50 63 67 68 66 Glass 2 1 5 20 23 21 27 28 28 27 Plastics 2 6 6 8 9 9 8 Yard Trimmings 12 52 62 58 61 66 69 Lead-acid batteries 76 70 97 93 96 99 99 99 99
In percentage of total MSW generation, recycling (including composting) did not exceed 15 percent until 1990. Growth in the recycling rate was significant over the next 15 years, spanning until 2005. The recycling rate grew more slowly over the last few years. The 2017 recycling rate was 35.2 percent.
| Materials | MSW Combusted (%) |
|---|---|
| Misc. Inorganic Wastes | 2.3 |
| Other | 2.0 |
| Textiles | 9.3 |
| Rubber and Leather | 7.3 |
| Wood | 8.4 |
| Paper and Paperboard | 13.2 |
| Glass | 4.3 |
| Metals | 8.6 |
In 2017, 34 million tons of MSW were combusted with energy recovery. Food made up the largest component of MSW combusted at approximately 22 percent. Rubber, leather and textiles accounted for over 16 percent of MSW combustion. Plastics comprised about 16 percent, and paper and paperboard made up about 13 percent. The other materials accounted for less than 10 percent each.
Combustion with Energy Recovery Tonnages 1960-2017Year Glass Paper & Paperboard Food Metals Misc.Inorganic Waste Plastics Rubber & Leather Textiles Wood Yard Trimmings Other 1970 60000 150000 50000 60000 10000 10000 10000 10000 90000 1980 300000 860000 260000 300000 50000 140000 70000 50000 150000 550000 30000 1990 1810000 8930000 4060000 2050000 490000 2980000 830000 880000 2080000 5240000 410000 2000 1790000 9730000 5820000 2050000 680000 4120000 1970000 1880000 2290000 2860000 540000 2005 1660000 7800000 5870000 2100000 670000 4330000 2110000 2110000 2270000 2220000 510000 2010 1360000 4740000 6150000 2310000 680000 4530000 1910000 2270000 2310000 2510000 540000 2015 1440000 4450000 7380000 2720000 780000 5330000 2520000 3060000 2570000 2630000 670000 2016 1440000 4300000 7480000 2780000 790000 5340000 2650000 3240000 2860000 2350000 670000 2017 1480000 4490000 7470000 2920000 790000 5590000 2490000 3170000 2850000 2110000 670000
Total MSW Landfill by Material - 2017Materials MSW Landfill(%) Misc.Inorganic Wastes 2.3 Other 2.1 Textiles 8.0 Rubber and Leather 3.5 Wood 8.7 Food 21.9 Yard Trimmings 6.2 Paper and Paperboard 13.1 Glass 4.9 Metals 9.9 Plastics 19.2
In 2017, about 139.6 million tons of MSW were landfilled. Food was the largest component at about 22 percent. Plastics accounted for about 19 percent, paper and paperboard made up about 13 percent, and rubber, leather and textiles comprised over 11 percent. Other materials accounted for less than 10 percent each.
Landfill Tonnages 1960-2017Year Glass Paper & Paperboard Food Metals Misc. Inorganic Waste Plastics Rubber & Leather Textiles Wood Yard Trimmings Other 1960 6620000 24910000 12200000 10770000 1300000 390000 1510000 1710000 3030000 20000000 70000 1970 12520000 37390000 12750000 13290000 1770000 2900000 2710000 1970000 3710000 23110000 470000 1980 14080000 42560000 12740000 13990000 2200000 6670000 4000000 2320000 6860000 26950000 1990000 1990 8660000 43570000 19800000 10530000 2410000 13780000 4590000 4270000 10000000 25560000 2100000 2000 8100000 40450000 24200000 10290000 2820000 19950000 3880000 6280000 9910000 11900000 2480000 2005 8290000 35080000 26370000 11310000 3020000 23270000 4130000 7570000 10690000 9990000 2570000 2010 7030000 22000000 28620000 12220000 3160000 24370000 4400000 8900000 11120000 11690000 2800000 2015 6840000 18280000 30250000 13120000 3210000 26030000 4490000 10540000 11070000 10800000 2980000 2016 6880000 17660000 30680000 13640000 3230000 26290000 4790000 11130000 12250000 9640000 2990000 2017 6870000 18350000 30630000 13800000 3250000 26820000 4950000 11150000 12140000 8650000 2980000
Total MSW Recycling and Composting by Material 2017Materials MSW (%) Textiles 2.7 Rubber and Leather 1.8 Wood 3.2 Food 2.7 Yard Trimmings 25.9 Plastics 3.1 Metals 8.8 Glass 3.2 Paper and Paperboard 46.9 Other 1.5
Recycling
The total MSW recycled was 67.2 million tons, with paper and paperboard accounting for approximately 66 percent of that amount. Metals comprised about 12 percent, while glass, plastic and wood made up between 4 and 5 percent.
Composting
The total MSW composted was 27 million tons. This included approximately 24.4 million tons of yard trimmings (more than a five-fold increase since 1990) and 2.6 million tons of food waste.
Recycling and Composting Tonnages 1960 - 2017Year Glass Paper and Paperboard Food Metals Plastics Rubber & Leather Textiles Wood Yard Trimmings Other 1960 100000 5080000 50000 330000 50000 1970 160000 6770000 480000 250000 60000 300000 1980 750000 11740000 1220000 20000 130000 160000 5000000 1990 2630000 20230000 3970000 370000 370000 660000 130000 4200000 680000 2000 2880000 37560000 680000 6600000 1480000 820000 1320000 1370000 15770000 980000 2005 2590000 41960000 690000 6990000 1780000 1050000 1830000 1830000 19860000 1210000 2010 3130000 44570000 970000 7920000 2500000 1440000 2050000 2280000 19200000 1370000 2015 3190000 45320000 2100000 8030000 3120000 1550000 2460000 2660000 21290000 1230000 2016 3160000 45520000 2150000 8180000 3240000 1760000 2510000 2940000 22960000 1320000 2017 3030000 44170000 2570000 8330000 2960000 1670000 2570000 3000000 24420000 1450000
Recycling and Composting TrendsMaterials (%) 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2005 2010 2015 2016 2017 Paper and Paperboard 17 15 21 28 43 50 63 67 68 66 Glass 2 1 5 20 23 21 27 28 28 27 Plastics 2 6 6 8 9 9 8 Yard Trimmings 12 52 62 58 61 66 69 Lead-acid batteries 76 70 97 93 96 99 99 99 99
In percentage of total MSW generation, recycling (including composting) did not exceed 15 percent until 1990. Growth in the recycling rate was significant over the next 15 years, spanning until 2005. The recycling rate grew more slowly over the last few years. The 2017 recycling rate was 35.2 percent.
| Year | Glass | Paper & Paperboard | Food | Metals | Misc.Inorganic Waste | Plastics | Rubber & Leather | Textiles | Wood | Yard Trimmings | Other |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | 60000 | 150000 | 50000 | 60000 | 10000 | 10000 | 10000 | 10000 | 90000 | ||
| 1980 | 300000 | 860000 | 260000 | 300000 | 50000 | 140000 | 70000 | 50000 | 150000 | 550000 | 30000 |
| 1990 | 1810000 | 8930000 | 4060000 | 2050000 | 490000 | 2980000 | 830000 | 880000 | 2080000 | 5240000 | 410000 |
| 2000 | 1790000 | 9730000 | 5820000 | 2050000 | 680000 | 4120000 | 1970000 | 1880000 | 2290000 | 2860000 | 540000 |
| 2005 | 1660000 | 7800000 | 5870000 | 2100000 | 670000 | 4330000 | 2110000 | 2110000 | 2270000 | 2220000 | 510000 |
| 2010 | 1360000 | 4740000 | 6150000 | 2310000 | 680000 | 4530000 | 1910000 | 2270000 | 2310000 | 2510000 | 540000 |
| 2015 | 1440000 | 4450000 | 7380000 | 2720000 | 780000 | 5330000 | 2520000 | 3060000 | 2570000 | 2630000 | 670000 |
| 2016 | 1440000 | 4300000 | 7480000 | 2780000 | 790000 | 5340000 | 2650000 | 3240000 | 2860000 | 2350000 | 670000 |
| 2017 | 1480000 | 4490000 | 7470000 | 2920000 | 790000 | 5590000 | 2490000 | 3170000 | 2850000 | 2110000 | 670000 |
Total MSW Landfill by Material - 2017Materials MSW Landfill(%) Misc.Inorganic Wastes 2.3 Other 2.1 Textiles 8.0 Rubber and Leather 3.5 Wood 8.7 Food 21.9 Yard Trimmings 6.2 Paper and Paperboard 13.1 Glass 4.9 Metals 9.9 Plastics 19.2
In 2017, about 139.6 million tons of MSW were landfilled. Food was the largest component at about 22 percent. Plastics accounted for about 19 percent, paper and paperboard made up about 13 percent, and rubber, leather and textiles comprised over 11 percent. Other materials accounted for less than 10 percent each.
Landfill Tonnages 1960-2017Year Glass Paper & Paperboard Food Metals Misc. Inorganic Waste Plastics Rubber & Leather Textiles Wood Yard Trimmings Other 1960 6620000 24910000 12200000 10770000 1300000 390000 1510000 1710000 3030000 20000000 70000 1970 12520000 37390000 12750000 13290000 1770000 2900000 2710000 1970000 3710000 23110000 470000 1980 14080000 42560000 12740000 13990000 2200000 6670000 4000000 2320000 6860000 26950000 1990000 1990 8660000 43570000 19800000 10530000 2410000 13780000 4590000 4270000 10000000 25560000 2100000 2000 8100000 40450000 24200000 10290000 2820000 19950000 3880000 6280000 9910000 11900000 2480000 2005 8290000 35080000 26370000 11310000 3020000 23270000 4130000 7570000 10690000 9990000 2570000 2010 7030000 22000000 28620000 12220000 3160000 24370000 4400000 8900000 11120000 11690000 2800000 2015 6840000 18280000 30250000 13120000 3210000 26030000 4490000 10540000 11070000 10800000 2980000 2016 6880000 17660000 30680000 13640000 3230000 26290000 4790000 11130000 12250000 9640000 2990000 2017 6870000 18350000 30630000 13800000 3250000 26820000 4950000 11150000 12140000 8650000 2980000
Total MSW Recycling and Composting by Material 2017Materials MSW (%) Textiles 2.7 Rubber and Leather 1.8 Wood 3.2 Food 2.7 Yard Trimmings 25.9 Plastics 3.1 Metals 8.8 Glass 3.2 Paper and Paperboard 46.9 Other 1.5
Recycling
The total MSW recycled was 67.2 million tons, with paper and paperboard accounting for approximately 66 percent of that amount. Metals comprised about 12 percent, while glass, plastic and wood made up between 4 and 5 percent.
Composting
The total MSW composted was 27 million tons. This included approximately 24.4 million tons of yard trimmings (more than a five-fold increase since 1990) and 2.6 million tons of food waste.
Recycling and Composting Tonnages 1960 - 2017Year Glass Paper and Paperboard Food Metals Plastics Rubber & Leather Textiles Wood Yard Trimmings Other 1960 100000 5080000 50000 330000 50000 1970 160000 6770000 480000 250000 60000 300000 1980 750000 11740000 1220000 20000 130000 160000 5000000 1990 2630000 20230000 3970000 370000 370000 660000 130000 4200000 680000 2000 2880000 37560000 680000 6600000 1480000 820000 1320000 1370000 15770000 980000 2005 2590000 41960000 690000 6990000 1780000 1050000 1830000 1830000 19860000 1210000 2010 3130000 44570000 970000 7920000 2500000 1440000 2050000 2280000 19200000 1370000 2015 3190000 45320000 2100000 8030000 3120000 1550000 2460000 2660000 21290000 1230000 2016 3160000 45520000 2150000 8180000 3240000 1760000 2510000 2940000 22960000 1320000 2017 3030000 44170000 2570000 8330000 2960000 1670000 2570000 3000000 24420000 1450000
Recycling and Composting TrendsMaterials (%) 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2005 2010 2015 2016 2017 Paper and Paperboard 17 15 21 28 43 50 63 67 68 66 Glass 2 1 5 20 23 21 27 28 28 27 Plastics 2 6 6 8 9 9 8 Yard Trimmings 12 52 62 58 61 66 69 Lead-acid batteries 76 70 97 93 96 99 99 99 99
In percentage of total MSW generation, recycling (including composting) did not exceed 15 percent until 1990. Growth in the recycling rate was significant over the next 15 years, spanning until 2005. The recycling rate grew more slowly over the last few years. The 2017 recycling rate was 35.2 percent.
| Materials | MSW Landfill(%) |
|---|---|
| Misc.Inorganic Wastes | 2.3 |
| Other | 2.1 |
| Textiles | 8.0 |
| Rubber and Leather | 3.5 |
| Wood | 8.7 |
| Food | 21.9 |
| Yard Trimmings | 6.2 |
| Paper and Paperboard | 13.1 |
| Glass | 4.9 |
| Metals | 9.9 |
| Plastics | 19.2 |
In 2017, about 139.6 million tons of MSW were landfilled. Food was the largest component at about 22 percent. Plastics accounted for about 19 percent, paper and paperboard made up about 13 percent, and rubber, leather and textiles comprised over 11 percent. Other materials accounted for less than 10 percent each.
Landfill Tonnages 1960-2017Year Glass Paper & Paperboard Food Metals Misc. Inorganic Waste Plastics Rubber & Leather Textiles Wood Yard Trimmings Other 1960 6620000 24910000 12200000 10770000 1300000 390000 1510000 1710000 3030000 20000000 70000 1970 12520000 37390000 12750000 13290000 1770000 2900000 2710000 1970000 3710000 23110000 470000 1980 14080000 42560000 12740000 13990000 2200000 6670000 4000000 2320000 6860000 26950000 1990000 1990 8660000 43570000 19800000 10530000 2410000 13780000 4590000 4270000 10000000 25560000 2100000 2000 8100000 40450000 24200000 10290000 2820000 19950000 3880000 6280000 9910000 11900000 2480000 2005 8290000 35080000 26370000 11310000 3020000 23270000 4130000 7570000 10690000 9990000 2570000 2010 7030000 22000000 28620000 12220000 3160000 24370000 4400000 8900000 11120000 11690000 2800000 2015 6840000 18280000 30250000 13120000 3210000 26030000 4490000 10540000 11070000 10800000 2980000 2016 6880000 17660000 30680000 13640000 3230000 26290000 4790000 11130000 12250000 9640000 2990000 2017 6870000 18350000 30630000 13800000 3250000 26820000 4950000 11150000 12140000 8650000 2980000
Total MSW Recycling and Composting by Material 2017Materials MSW (%) Textiles 2.7 Rubber and Leather 1.8 Wood 3.2 Food 2.7 Yard Trimmings 25.9 Plastics 3.1 Metals 8.8 Glass 3.2 Paper and Paperboard 46.9 Other 1.5
Recycling
The total MSW recycled was 67.2 million tons, with paper and paperboard accounting for approximately 66 percent of that amount. Metals comprised about 12 percent, while glass, plastic and wood made up between 4 and 5 percent.
Composting
The total MSW composted was 27 million tons. This included approximately 24.4 million tons of yard trimmings (more than a five-fold increase since 1990) and 2.6 million tons of food waste.
Recycling and Composting Tonnages 1960 - 2017Year Glass Paper and Paperboard Food Metals Plastics Rubber & Leather Textiles Wood Yard Trimmings Other 1960 100000 5080000 50000 330000 50000 1970 160000 6770000 480000 250000 60000 300000 1980 750000 11740000 1220000 20000 130000 160000 5000000 1990 2630000 20230000 3970000 370000 370000 660000 130000 4200000 680000 2000 2880000 37560000 680000 6600000 1480000 820000 1320000 1370000 15770000 980000 2005 2590000 41960000 690000 6990000 1780000 1050000 1830000 1830000 19860000 1210000 2010 3130000 44570000 970000 7920000 2500000 1440000 2050000 2280000 19200000 1370000 2015 3190000 45320000 2100000 8030000 3120000 1550000 2460000 2660000 21290000 1230000 2016 3160000 45520000 2150000 8180000 3240000 1760000 2510000 2940000 22960000 1320000 2017 3030000 44170000 2570000 8330000 2960000 1670000 2570000 3000000 24420000 1450000
Recycling and Composting TrendsMaterials (%) 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2005 2010 2015 2016 2017 Paper and Paperboard 17 15 21 28 43 50 63 67 68 66 Glass 2 1 5 20 23 21 27 28 28 27 Plastics 2 6 6 8 9 9 8 Yard Trimmings 12 52 62 58 61 66 69 Lead-acid batteries 76 70 97 93 96 99 99 99 99
In percentage of total MSW generation, recycling (including composting) did not exceed 15 percent until 1990. Growth in the recycling rate was significant over the next 15 years, spanning until 2005. The recycling rate grew more slowly over the last few years. The 2017 recycling rate was 35.2 percent.
| Year | Glass | Paper & Paperboard | Food | Metals | Misc. Inorganic Waste | Plastics | Rubber & Leather | Textiles | Wood | Yard Trimmings | Other |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1960 | 6620000 | 24910000 | 12200000 | 10770000 | 1300000 | 390000 | 1510000 | 1710000 | 3030000 | 20000000 | 70000 |
| 1970 | 12520000 | 37390000 | 12750000 | 13290000 | 1770000 | 2900000 | 2710000 | 1970000 | 3710000 | 23110000 | 470000 |
| 1980 | 14080000 | 42560000 | 12740000 | 13990000 | 2200000 | 6670000 | 4000000 | 2320000 | 6860000 | 26950000 | 1990000 |
| 1990 | 8660000 | 43570000 | 19800000 | 10530000 | 2410000 | 13780000 | 4590000 | 4270000 | 10000000 | 25560000 | 2100000 |
| 2000 | 8100000 | 40450000 | 24200000 | 10290000 | 2820000 | 19950000 | 3880000 | 6280000 | 9910000 | 11900000 | 2480000 |
| 2005 | 8290000 | 35080000 | 26370000 | 11310000 | 3020000 | 23270000 | 4130000 | 7570000 | 10690000 | 9990000 | 2570000 |
| 2010 | 7030000 | 22000000 | 28620000 | 12220000 | 3160000 | 24370000 | 4400000 | 8900000 | 11120000 | 11690000 | 2800000 |
| 2015 | 6840000 | 18280000 | 30250000 | 13120000 | 3210000 | 26030000 | 4490000 | 10540000 | 11070000 | 10800000 | 2980000 |
| 2016 | 6880000 | 17660000 | 30680000 | 13640000 | 3230000 | 26290000 | 4790000 | 11130000 | 12250000 | 9640000 | 2990000 |
| 2017 | 6870000 | 18350000 | 30630000 | 13800000 | 3250000 | 26820000 | 4950000 | 11150000 | 12140000 | 8650000 | 2980000 |
Total MSW Recycling and Composting by Material 2017Materials MSW (%) Textiles 2.7 Rubber and Leather 1.8 Wood 3.2 Food 2.7 Yard Trimmings 25.9 Plastics 3.1 Metals 8.8 Glass 3.2 Paper and Paperboard 46.9 Other 1.5
Recycling
The total MSW recycled was 67.2 million tons, with paper and paperboard accounting for approximately 66 percent of that amount. Metals comprised about 12 percent, while glass, plastic and wood made up between 4 and 5 percent.
Composting
The total MSW composted was 27 million tons. This included approximately 24.4 million tons of yard trimmings (more than a five-fold increase since 1990) and 2.6 million tons of food waste.
Recycling and Composting Tonnages 1960 - 2017Year Glass Paper and Paperboard Food Metals Plastics Rubber & Leather Textiles Wood Yard Trimmings Other 1960 100000 5080000 50000 330000 50000 1970 160000 6770000 480000 250000 60000 300000 1980 750000 11740000 1220000 20000 130000 160000 5000000 1990 2630000 20230000 3970000 370000 370000 660000 130000 4200000 680000 2000 2880000 37560000 680000 6600000 1480000 820000 1320000 1370000 15770000 980000 2005 2590000 41960000 690000 6990000 1780000 1050000 1830000 1830000 19860000 1210000 2010 3130000 44570000 970000 7920000 2500000 1440000 2050000 2280000 19200000 1370000 2015 3190000 45320000 2100000 8030000 3120000 1550000 2460000 2660000 21290000 1230000 2016 3160000 45520000 2150000 8180000 3240000 1760000 2510000 2940000 22960000 1320000 2017 3030000 44170000 2570000 8330000 2960000 1670000 2570000 3000000 24420000 1450000
Recycling and Composting TrendsMaterials (%) 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2005 2010 2015 2016 2017 Paper and Paperboard 17 15 21 28 43 50 63 67 68 66 Glass 2 1 5 20 23 21 27 28 28 27 Plastics 2 6 6 8 9 9 8 Yard Trimmings 12 52 62 58 61 66 69 Lead-acid batteries 76 70 97 93 96 99 99 99 99
In percentage of total MSW generation, recycling (including composting) did not exceed 15 percent until 1990. Growth in the recycling rate was significant over the next 15 years, spanning until 2005. The recycling rate grew more slowly over the last few years. The 2017 recycling rate was 35.2 percent.
| Materials | MSW (%) |
|---|---|
| Textiles | 2.7 |
| Rubber and Leather | 1.8 |
| Wood | 3.2 |
| Food | 2.7 |
| Yard Trimmings | 25.9 |
| Plastics | 3.1 |
| Metals | 8.8 |
| Glass | 3.2 |
| Paper and Paperboard | 46.9 |
| Other | 1.5 |
Recycling
The total MSW recycled was 67.2 million tons, with paper and paperboard accounting for approximately 66 percent of that amount. Metals comprised about 12 percent, while glass, plastic and wood made up between 4 and 5 percent.
Composting
The total MSW composted was 27 million tons. This included approximately 24.4 million tons of yard trimmings (more than a five-fold increase since 1990) and 2.6 million tons of food waste.
Recycling and Composting Tonnages 1960 - 2017Year Glass Paper and Paperboard Food Metals Plastics Rubber & Leather Textiles Wood Yard Trimmings Other 1960 100000 5080000 50000 330000 50000 1970 160000 6770000 480000 250000 60000 300000 1980 750000 11740000 1220000 20000 130000 160000 5000000 1990 2630000 20230000 3970000 370000 370000 660000 130000 4200000 680000 2000 2880000 37560000 680000 6600000 1480000 820000 1320000 1370000 15770000 980000 2005 2590000 41960000 690000 6990000 1780000 1050000 1830000 1830000 19860000 1210000 2010 3130000 44570000 970000 7920000 2500000 1440000 2050000 2280000 19200000 1370000 2015 3190000 45320000 2100000 8030000 3120000 1550000 2460000 2660000 21290000 1230000 2016 3160000 45520000 2150000 8180000 3240000 1760000 2510000 2940000 22960000 1320000 2017 3030000 44170000 2570000 8330000 2960000 1670000 2570000 3000000 24420000 1450000
Recycling and Composting TrendsMaterials (%) 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2005 2010 2015 2016 2017 Paper and Paperboard 17 15 21 28 43 50 63 67 68 66 Glass 2 1 5 20 23 21 27 28 28 27 Plastics 2 6 6 8 9 9 8 Yard Trimmings 12 52 62 58 61 66 69 Lead-acid batteries 76 70 97 93 96 99 99 99 99
In percentage of total MSW generation, recycling (including composting) did not exceed 15 percent until 1990. Growth in the recycling rate was significant over the next 15 years, spanning until 2005. The recycling rate grew more slowly over the last few years. The 2017 recycling rate was 35.2 percent.
| Year | Glass | Paper and Paperboard | Food | Metals | Plastics | Rubber & Leather | Textiles | Wood | Yard Trimmings | Other |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1960 | 100000 | 5080000 | 50000 | 330000 | 50000 | |||||
| 1970 | 160000 | 6770000 | 480000 | 250000 | 60000 | 300000 | ||||
| 1980 | 750000 | 11740000 | 1220000 | 20000 | 130000 | 160000 | 5000000 | |||
| 1990 | 2630000 | 20230000 | 3970000 | 370000 | 370000 | 660000 | 130000 | 4200000 | 680000 | |
| 2000 | 2880000 | 37560000 | 680000 | 6600000 | 1480000 | 820000 | 1320000 | 1370000 | 15770000 | 980000 |
| 2005 | 2590000 | 41960000 | 690000 | 6990000 | 1780000 | 1050000 | 1830000 | 1830000 | 19860000 | 1210000 |
| 2010 | 3130000 | 44570000 | 970000 | 7920000 | 2500000 | 1440000 | 2050000 | 2280000 | 19200000 | 1370000 |
| 2015 | 3190000 | 45320000 | 2100000 | 8030000 | 3120000 | 1550000 | 2460000 | 2660000 | 21290000 | 1230000 |
| 2016 | 3160000 | 45520000 | 2150000 | 8180000 | 3240000 | 1760000 | 2510000 | 2940000 | 22960000 | 1320000 |
| 2017 | 3030000 | 44170000 | 2570000 | 8330000 | 2960000 | 1670000 | 2570000 | 3000000 | 24420000 | 1450000 |
Recycling and Composting TrendsMaterials (%) 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2005 2010 2015 2016 2017 Paper and Paperboard 17 15 21 28 43 50 63 67 68 66 Glass 2 1 5 20 23 21 27 28 28 27 Plastics 2 6 6 8 9 9 8 Yard Trimmings 12 52 62 58 61 66 69 Lead-acid batteries 76 70 97 93 96 99 99 99 99
In percentage of total MSW generation, recycling (including composting) did not exceed 15 percent until 1990. Growth in the recycling rate was significant over the next 15 years, spanning until 2005. The recycling rate grew more slowly over the last few years. The 2017 recycling rate was 35.2 percent.
| Materials (%) | 1960 | 1970 | 1980 | 1990 | 2000 | 2005 | 2010 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paper and Paperboard | 17 | 15 | 21 | 28 | 43 | 50 | 63 | 67 | 68 | 66 |
| Glass | 2 | 1 | 5 | 20 | 23 | 21 | 27 | 28 | 28 | 27 |
| Plastics | 2 | 6 | 6 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 8 | |||
| Yard Trimmings | 12 | 52 | 62 | 58 | 61 | 66 | 69 | |||
| Lead-acid batteries | 76 | 70 | 97 | 93 | 96 | 99 | 99 | 99 | 99 |
In percentage of total MSW generation, recycling (including composting) did not exceed 15 percent until 1990. Growth in the recycling rate was significant over the next 15 years, spanning until 2005. The recycling rate grew more slowly over the last few years. The 2017 recycling rate was 35.2 percent.