The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has collected and reported data on the generation and disposal of waste in the United States for more than 30 years. We use this information to measure the success of waste reduction and recycling programs across the country. Our trash, or municipal solid waste (MSW), is made up of the things we commonly use and then throw away. These materials include items such as packaging, food scraps, grass clippings, sofas, computers, tires, and refrigerators. MSW does not include industrial, hazardous, or construction waste. The data on Materials Discarded in the Municipal Waste Stream, 1960 to 2009, provides estimated data in thousands of tons discarded after recycling and compost recovery for the years 1960, 1970, 1980, 1990, 2000, 2005, 2007, 2008, and 2009. In this data set, discards include combustion with energy recovery. This data table does not include construction & demolition debris, industrial process wastes, or certain other wastes. The "Other" category includes electrolytes in batteries and fluff pulp, feces, and urine in disposable diapers. Details may not add to totals due to rounding.
OwnerUnited State Environmental Protection Agency - view all
Update frequencyunknown
Last updatedabout 1 year ago
Format
Overviewamount compostedamount landfilledamount recycledcomposting datacomposting ratedurable goodsenvironmentepafood recoveryinteractivelandfill disposalmaterials generationmetals recyclingmsw characterizationmunicipal solid waste disposalpaper recyclingplastic bag recyclingplastic recyclingrecycling datarecycling raterecycling tonssampleunited stateswaste characterizationwaste generation
Additional Information
KeyValue
dcat_issued2014-01-01
dcat_modified2014-01-01
dcat_publisher_nameU.S. EPA Office of Environmental Information (OEI)
guidE5DE559C-4258-496E-AA1D-71FCBA48161F
ib1_trust_framework[]
language