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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