How Much Waste Does The US Produce?

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.