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How Much Waste Does The US Produce?


How Much Waste Does The US Produce?   ©The Earth & I
  • In 2018, the US produced 292.4 million tons of municipal solid waste (MSW), or 4.9 lbs per person per day.

  • About 24% of the MSW, or 69 million tons, was recycled.

  • About 8% of MSW, or 25 million tons, was composted.

  • Paper and paperboard makes up 23.1% of waste produced.

  • Food makes up 21.6% of waste produced.

  • Plastics make up 12.2% of waste produced, or almost 36 million tons of plastic waste produced in a year.

Source: US Environmental Protection Agency


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