2007 

Facts and 

Figures

Municipal Solid Waste in

The United States
United States Environmental Protection Agency

Office of Solid Waste (5306P)

EPA530-R-08-010

November 2008

www.epa.gov 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

MUNICIPAL SOLID WASTE IN
 

THE UNITED STATES:
 

2007 FACTS AND FIGURES
 

Table of Contents 

Chapter Page 

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY .......................................................................................................... 1
 

OVERVIEW ............................................................................................................................... 1 


WHAT IS INCLUDED IN MUNICIPAL SOLID WASTE? ...................................................... 4 


MUNICIPAL SOLID WASTE IN PERSPECTIVE.................................................................... 5 


Trends Over Time ................................................................................................................... 5 


MUNICIPAL SOLID WASTE IN 2007...................................................................................... 5 


Materials in MSW................................................................................................................... 5 


Products in MSW.................................................................................................................... 7 


RESIDENTIAL AND COMMERCIAL SOURCES OF MSW ................................................ 11 


MANAGEMENT OF MSW ..................................................................................................... 11 


Overview............................................................................................................................... 11 


Source Reduction.................................................................................................................. 12 


Recycling .............................................................................................................................. 13 


Combustion with Energy Recovery ...................................................................................... 13 


Disposal................................................................................................................................. 13 


THE BENEFITS OF RECYCLING.......................................................................................... 16 


FOR FURTHER INFORMATION ........................................................................................... 16 


CHAPTER 1 – INTRODUCTION AND METHODOLOGY ................................................ 17
 

INTRODUCTION..................................................................................................................... 17 


BACKGROUND ...................................................................................................................... 17 


The Solid Waste Management Hierarchy ............................................................................. 17 


Overview of the Methodology .............................................................................................. 18 


HOW THIS REPORT CAN BE USED..................................................................................... 20 


iii 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CHARACTERIZATION OF MUNICIPAL SOLID WASTE: IN PERSPECTIVE.................. 23 


The Two Methodologies for Characterizing MSW: Site-Specific Versus Materials
 

Flow ...................................................................................................................................... 23 


Municipal Solid Waste Defined in Greater Detail................................................................ 24 


Other Subtitle D Wastes........................................................................................................ 26 


Materials and Products Not Included in These Estimates..................................................... 28 


OVERVIEW OF THIS REPORT.............................................................................................. 29 


CHAPTER 1 REFERENCES ................................................................................................... 30 


CHAPTER 2 – CHARACTERIZATION OF MUNICIPAL SOLID WASTE BY
 

WEIGHT ..................................................................................................................................... 33
 

INTRODUCTION..................................................................................................................... 33 


MUNICIPAL SOLID WASTE: CHARACTERIZED BY MATERIAL TYPE........................ 34 


Paper and Paperboard............................................................................................................ 38 


Glass...................................................................................................................................... 42 


Aluminum ............................................................................................................................. 48 


Other Nonferrous Metals ...................................................................................................... 49 


Plastics .................................................................................................................................. 49 


Other Materials ..................................................................................................................... 54 


Wood..................................................................................................................................... 56 


Food Scraps........................................................................................................................... 57 


Yard Trimmings.................................................................................................................... 58 


Miscellaneous Inorganic Wastes........................................................................................... 60 


Summary of Materials in Municipal Solid Waste................................................................. 60 


PRODUCTS IN MUNICIPAL SOLID WASTE....................................................................... 65 


Durable Goods ...................................................................................................................... 66 


Nondurable Goods ................................................................................................................ 76 


Containers and Packaging..................................................................................................... 84 


Summary of Products in Municipal Solid Waste.................................................................. 95 


SUMMARY.............................................................................................................................. 99 


MSW Generation .................................................................................................................. 99 


MSW Recovery................................................................................................................... 100 


iv 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Long Term Trends .............................................................................................................. 101 


CHAPTER 2 REFERENCES ................................................................................................. 103 


CHAPTER 3 – MANAGEMENT OF MUNICIPAL SOLID WASTE................................ 133
 

INTRODUCTION................................................................................................................... 133 


SOURCE REDUCTION......................................................................................................... 134 


Source Reduction Through Redesign ................................................................................. 136 


Modifying Practices to Reduce Materials Use.................................................................... 137 


Reuse of Products and Packages......................................................................................... 138 


Management of Organic Materials...................................................................................... 140 


Measuring Source Reduction.............................................................................................. 141 


RECOVERY FOR RECYCLING (INCLUDING COMPOSTING)....................................... 141 


Recyclables Collection........................................................................................................ 141 


Recyclables Processing ....................................................................................................... 146 


COMBUSTION WITH ENERGY RECOVERY.................................................................... 150 


RESIDUES FROM WASTE MANAGEMENT FACILITIES ............................................... 152 


LANDFILLS ........................................................................................................................... 153 


SUMMARY OF HISTORICAL AND CURRENT MSW MANAGEMENT ........................ 154 


CHAPTER 3 REFERENCES ................................................................................................. 157 


APPENDIX A – MATERIALS FLOW METHODOLOGY................................................. 163
 

DOMESTIC PRODUCTION.................................................................................................. 163 


CONVERTING SCRAP ......................................................................................................... 163 


ADJUSTMENTS FOR IMPORTS/EXPORTS ...................................................................... 163 


DIVERSION ........................................................................................................................... 164 


ADJUSTMENTS FOR PRODUCT LIFETIME ..................................................................... 164 


RECOVERY........................................................................................................................... 164 


DISCARDS............................................................................................................................. 165 


MUNICIPAL SOLID WASTE GENERATION, RECOVERY, AND DISCARDS.................. 165 


v 
 

 

 

 

 

 

List of Tables 

Table Page 

ES-1 Generation, Materials Recovery, Composting, Combustion with Energy 

Recovery, and Discards of Municipal Solid Waste, 1960 – 2007 (In Millions 

of Tons)....................................................................................................................... 2 


ES-2 Generation, Materials Recovery, Composting, Combustion with Energy
 

Recovery, and Discards of Municipal Solid Waste, 1960 – 2007 (In Percent 

of Total Generation).................................................................................................... 2 


ES-3 Generation, Materials Recovery, Composting, Combustion with Energy
 

Recovery, and Discards of Municipal Solid Waste, 1960 – 2007 (In Pounds 

Per Person Per Day) .................................................................................................... 3 


ES-4 Generation and Recovery of Materials in MSW, 2007............................................... 7 


ES-5 Generation and Recovery of Products in MSW by Material, 2007 ............................ 9 


Materials in the Municipal Solid Waste Stream, 1960 to 2007 


1 Generated .................................................................................................................. 35 


2 Recovery ................................................................................................................... 36 


3 Discarded .................................................................................................................. 37 


Products in Municipal Solid Waste, 2007 


4 Paper and Paperboard................................................................................................ 39 


5 Glass.......................................................................................................................... 44 


6 Metal ......................................................................................................................... 46 


7 Plastics ...................................................................................................................... 51 


8 Rubber and Leather................................................................................................... 55 


vi 
Categories of Products in the Municipal Solid Waste Stream, 1960 to 2007 


9 Generated ................................................................................................................. 67 


10 Recovery ................................................................................................................... 68 


11 Discarded .................................................................................................................. 69 


Products in MSW with Detail on Durable Goods, 1960 to 2007 


12 Generated .................................................................................................................. 71 


13 Recovery ................................................................................................................... 72 


14 Discarded .................................................................................................................. 73 


Products in MSW with Detail on Nondurable Goods, 1960 to 2007 


15 Generated .................................................................................................................. 79 


16 Recovery ................................................................................................................... 80 


17 Discarded .................................................................................................................. 81 


Products in MSW with Detail on Containers and Packaging, 1960 to 2007 


18 Generated (by weight)............................................................................................... 87 


19 Generated (by percent).............................................................................................. 88 


20 Recovery (by weight)................................................................................................ 89 


21 Recovery (by percent) ............................................................................................... 90 


22 Discarded (by weight)............................................................................................... 91 


23 Discarded (by percent) .............................................................................................. 92 


Management of Municipal Solid Waste
 

24 Selected Examples of Source Reduction Practices................................................. 136 


25 Number and Population Served by Curbside Recyclables Collection 


Programs, 2007 ....................................................................................................... 142 


26 Materials Recovery Facilities, 2007........................................................................ 146 


27 Municipal Waste-to-Energy Projects, 2007 ............................................................ 151 


28 Landfill Facilities, 2007 .......................................................................................... 153 


vii
 
29 	 Generation, Materials Recovery, Composting, Combustion, and Discards
 

of Municipal Solid Waste, 1960 to 2007 ................................................................ 155 


List of Figures 

Figure	 Page 

ES-1 MSW Generation Rates, 1960 to 2007 ....................................................................... 3 


ES-2 MSW Recycling Rates, 1960 to 2007......................................................................... 4 


ES-3 Materials Generated in MSW, 2007 – 254 Million Tons ........................................... 6 


ES-4 Products Generated in MSW, 2007 – 254 Million Tons ............................................ 8 


ES-5 Number of Landfills in the U.S., 1988 – 2007.......................................................... 14 


ES-6 Management of MSW in the U.S., 2007................................................................... 15 


1-A Municipal Solid Waste in the Universe of Subtitle D Wastes.................................. 26 


1-B Definition of Terms................................................................................................... 27 


Materials Generated and Recovered in Municipal Solid Waste
 

2 Paper and Paperboard Products Generated in MSW, 2007 ...................................... 38 


3 Paper and Paperboard Generation and Recovery, 1960 to 2007............................... 40 


4 Glass Products Generated in MSW, 2007................................................................. 43 


5 Glass Generation and Recovery, 1960 to 2007......................................................... 44 


6 Metal Products Generated in MSW, 2007 ................................................................ 47 


7 Metals Generation and Recovery, 1960 to 2007....................................................... 47 


8 Plastics Products Generated in MSW, 2007 ............................................................. 50 


9 Plastics Generation and Recovery, 1960 to 2007...................................................... 54 


10 Generation of Materials in MSW, 1960 to 2007....................................................... 61 


11 Recovery and Discards of Materials in MSW, 1960 to 2007 ................................... 62 


12 Materials Recovery, 2007 ......................................................................................... 63 


13 Materials Generated and Discarded in MSW, 2007 ................................................. 64 


viii 
Products Generated and Recovered in Municipal Solid Waste
 

14 Generation of Products in MSW, 1960 to 2007........................................................ 95 


15 Nondurable Goods Generated and Discarded in MSW, 2007 .................................. 97 


16 Containers and Packaging Generated and Discarded in MSW, 2007....................... 98 


Management of Municipal Solid Waste
 

17 Diagram of Solid Waste Management.................................................................... 134 


18 Population Served by Curbside Recycling, 2007.................................................... 143 


19 States With Bottle Deposit Rules............................................................................ 145 


20 Estimated MRF Throughput, 2007 ......................................................................... 147 


21 Mixed Waste Processing Estimated Throughput, 2007.......................................... 148 


22 MSW Composting Capacity, 2007 ......................................................................... 149 


23 Yard Trimmings Composting Programs, 2007....................................................... 150
 

Municipal Waste-to-Energy Capacity, 2007........................................................... 152 


25 Number of Landfills in the U.S., 2007.................................................................... 154 


26 Municipal Solid Waste Management, 1960 to 2007............................................... 156 


Materials Flow Methodology 

A-1 Material Flows Methodology for Estimating Generation of Products and 

Materials in MSW................................................................................................... 166 


A-2 Material Flows Methodology for Estimating Discards of Products and 


Materials in MSW................................................................................................... 167 


ix 
Executive Summary
 

MUNICIPAL SOLID WASTE
 

IN THE UNITED STATES: 2007 FACTS AND FIGURES
 

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
 

OVERVIEW 

This report describes the national municipal solid waste (MSW) stream based on data 

collected for 1960 through 2007. The historical perspective is useful for establishing trends in 

types of MSW generated and in the ways it is managed. In this Executive Summary, we briefly 

describe the methodology used to characterize MSW in the United States and provide the latest 

facts and figures on MSW generation, recycling, and disposal. 

In the United States, we generated approximately 254 million tons of MSW in 2007— 

similar to the amount generated in 2006. Excluding composting, the amount of MSW recycled 

increased to 63.3 million tons, an increase of 1.9 million tons from 2006. This is a 3 percent 

increase in the tons recycled. The tons recovered for composting rose to 21.7 million tons in 

2007, up from 20.8 million tons in 2006. The recovery rate for recycling (including composting) 

was 33.4 percent in 2007, up from 32.3 percent in 2006. (See Tables ES-1 and ES-2 and Figures 

ES-1 and ES-2.) 

MSW generation in 2007 declined to 4.62 pounds per person per day. This is a decrease 

of 0.6 percent from 2006 to 2007. The recycling rate in 2007 was 1.54 pounds per person per day 

(an increase of 2.7 percent over 2006). Discards sent for combustion with energy recovery 

remained steady at 0.58 pounds per person per day. Discards sent to landfills after recycling and 

combustion with energy recovery declined to 2.50 pounds per person per day in 2007. This is a 

decrease of 2.7 percent from 2006 to 2007 (Table ES-3). 

1 
otal Materials Recovery

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Executive Summary
 

Table ES-1
 

GENERATION, MATERIALS RECOVERY, COMPOSTING,
 

COMBUSTION WITH ENERGY RECOVERY, AND DISCARDS OF MUNICIPAL SOLID WASTE,
 

1960 - 2007
 

(in millions of tons)
 

Activity 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2004 2005 2006 2007 

Generation 88.1 121.1 151.6 205.2 239.1 249.8 250.4 254.2 254.1 

Recovery for recycling 5.6 8.0 14.5 29.0 52.9 57.5 58.8 61.4 63.3 

Recovery for composting* Neg. Neg. Neg. 4.2 16.5 20.5 20.6 20.8 21.7 

Total materials recovery 5.6 8.0 14.5 33.2 69.4 78.0 79.4 82.2 85.0 

Combustion with energy 

recovery† 0.0 0.4 2.7 29.7 33.7 31.5 31.6 31.9 31.9 

Discards to landfill, other 

disposal‡ 82.5 112.7 134.4 142.3 136.0 140.3 139.4 140.1 137.2 

* Composting of yard trimmings, food scraps and other MSW organic material. Does not include backyard composting. 

†	 Includes combustion of MSW in mass burn or refuse-derived fuel form, and combustion with energy 

recovery of source separated materials in MSW (e.g., wood pallets and tire-derived fuel). See Table 29 footnote for more detail. 

‡	 Discards after recovery minus combustion with energy recovery. Discards include combustion without energy recovery. 

Details may not add to totals due to rounding. 

Table ES-2
 

GENERATION, MATERIALS RECOVERY, COMPOSTING,
 

COMBUSTION WITH ENERGY RECOVERY, AND DISCARDS OF MUNICIPAL SOLID WASTE,
 

1960 - 2007
 

(in percent of total generation)
 

Activity 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2004 2005 2006 2007 

Generation 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 

Recovery for recycling 6.4% 6.6% 9.6% 14.2% 22.1% 23.0% 23.5% 24.1% 24.9% 

Recovery for composting* Neg. Neg. Neg. 2.0% 6.9% 8.2% 8.2% 8.2% 8.5% 

T Total materials recovery 6.4% 6.6% 9.6% 16.2% 29.0% 31.2% 31.7% 32.3% 33.4% 

Combustion with energy 

recovery† 0.0% 0.3% 1.8% 14.5% 14.1% 12.6% 12.6% 12.6% 12.6% 

Discards to landfill, other 

disposal‡ 93.6% 93.1% 88.6% 69.3% 56.9% 56.2% 55.7% 55.1% 54.0% 

*	 Composting of yard trimmings, food scraps and other MSW organic material. Does not include backyard composting. 

†	 Includes combustion of MSW in mass burn or refuse-derived fuel form, and combustion with energy 

recovery of source separated materials in MSW (e.g., wood pallets and tire-derived fuel). See Table 29 footnote for more detail. 

‡	 Discards after recovery minus combustion with energy recovery. Discards include combustion without energy recovery. 

Details may not add to totals due to rounding. 

2 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Executive Summary
 

Table ES-3
 

GENERATION, MATERIALS RECOVERY, COMPOSTING
 

COMBUSTION WITH ENERGY RECOVERY, AND DISCARDS OF MUNICIPAL SOLID WASTE,
 

1960 - 2007
 

(in pounds per person per day)
 

Activity 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2004 2005 2006 2007 

Generation 2.68 3.25 3.66 4.50 4.65 4.66 4.63 4.65 4.62 

Recovery for recycling 0.17 0.22 0.35 0.64 1.03 1.07 1.09 1.12 1.15 

Recovery for composting* Neg. Neg. Neg. 0.09 0.32 0.38 0.38 0.38 0.39 

Total materials recovery 0.17 0.22 0.35 0.73 1.35 1.45 1.47 1.50 1.54 

Combustion with energy 0.00 0.01 0.07 0.65 0.66 0.59 0.58 0.58 0.58 recovery† 

Discards to landfill, other 2.51 3.02 3.24 3.12 2.64 2.62 2.58 2.57 2.50 disposal‡ 

Population (millions) 179.979 203.984 227.255 249.907 281.422 293.660 296.410 299.398 301.621 

* Composting of yard trimmings, food scraps and other MSW organic material. Does not include backyard composting. 

†	 Includes combustion of MSW in mass burn or refuse-derived fuel form, and combustion with energy 

recovery of source separated materials in MSW (e.g., wood pallets and tire-derived fuel). See Table 29 footnote for more detail. 

‡	 Discards after recovery minus combustion with energy recovery. Discards include combustion without energy recovery. 

Details may not add to totals due to rounding. 

Figure ES-1: MSW Generation Rates, 

1960 to 2007 

Total MSW generation (million tons) 200.0 

6.00 

150.0 

4.00 

100.0 

2.00 

50.0 

0.0 0.00 

1960 1965 1970 1975 1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 2007 

Total MSW generation Per capita generation 

300.0 10.00 

250.0 

8.00 

Per capita generation (lbs/person/day) 

3 
 

 

 

Executive Summary
 

Figure ES-2: MSW Recycling Rates, 

1960 to 2007 

85.0 

33.2 

16.7 

14.5 

6.5 8.0 5.6 

9.3 

55.8 

69.4 

79.4 

33.4% 

16.2% 9.6% 

6.6% 7.3% 6.4% 6.2% 

10.1% 

26.0% 

29.0% 

31.7% 

0.0 

10.0 

20.0 

30.0 

40.0 

50.0 

60.0 

70.0 

80.0 

90.0 

Total MSW recycling (million tons) 

0.0% 

10.0% 

20.0% 

30.0% 

40.0% 

50.0% 

Percent of generation recycled 

1960 1965 1970 1975 1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 

Total MSW recycling Percent recycling 

2007 

The state of the economy has a strong impact on consumption and waste generation. 

Waste generation increases during times of strong economic growth and decreases during times 

of economic decline. 

WHAT IS INCLUDED IN MUNICIPAL SOLID WASTE? 

MSW—otherwise known as trash or garbage—consists of everyday items such as product 

packaging, grass clippings, furniture, clothing, bottles, food scraps, newspapers, appliances, and 

batteries. Not included are materials that also may be disposed in landfills but are not generally 

considered MSW, such as construction and demolition materials, municipal wastewater 

treatment sludges, and non-hazardous industrial wastes. 

4 
Executive Summary
 

MUNICIPAL SOLID WASTE IN PERSPECTIVE 

Trends Over Time 

Over the last few decades, the generation, recycling, and disposal of MSW have changed 

substantially (see Tables ES-1, ES-2, and ES-3 and Figures ES-1 and ES-2). Annual MSW 

generation has continued to increase from 1960, when it was 88 million tons. The generation rate 

in 1960 was just 2.68 pounds per person per day; it grew to 3.66 pounds per person per day in 

1980, reached 4.50 pounds per person per day in 1990, and increased to 4.65 pounds per person 

per day in 2000. Since 2000, MSW generation has remained fairly steady. The generation rate 

was 4.62 pounds per person per day in 2007. 

Over time, recycling rates have increased from just over 6 percent of MSW generated in 

1960 to about 10 percent in 1980, to 16 percent in 1990, to 29 percent in 2000, and to over 33 

percent in 2007. Disposal of waste to landfills has decreased from 94 percent of the amount 

generated in 1960 to 54 percent of the amount generated in 2007. 

MUNICIPAL SOLID WASTE IN 2007 

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) uses two methods to characterize the 

254.1 million tons of MSW generated in 2007. The first is by material (paper and paperboard, 

yard trimmings, food scraps, plastics, metals, glass, wood, rubber, leather and textiles, and other); 

the second is by several major product categories. The product-based categories are containers 

and packaging; nondurable goods (e.g., newspapers); durable goods (e.g., appliances); food 

scraps; and other materials. See Figure 1-B in Chapter 1 for product category definitions. 

Materials in MSW 

A breakdown, by weight, of the MSW materials generated in 2007 is provided in Figure 

ES-3. Paper and paperboard made up the largest component of MSW generated (32.7 percent), 

5 
 

 

 

 

 

 

Executive Summary
 

yard trimmings were the second-largest component (12.8 percent) and food scraps were the third 

largest (12.5 percent). Glass, metals, plastics, and wood each constituted between 5 and 12 

percent of the total MSW generated. Rubber, leather, and textiles combined made up 7.6 percent 

of MSW, while other miscellaneous wastes made up approximately 3 percent of the MSW 

generated in 2007. 

Figure ES-3: Materials Generated in MSW, 2007 

(254 Million tons before recycling) 

Food scraps 12.5% 

Yard trimmings 12.8% Other 3.2% 

Wood 5.6% 

Rubber, leather & textiles 

7.6% 

Paper and paperboard 32.7% 

Plastics 12.1% 

Metals 8.2% Glass 5.3% 

A portion of each material category in MSW was recycled or composted in 2007. The 

highest rates of recovery were achieved with yard trimmings, paper and paperboard, and metals. 

About 64 percent (20.9 million tons) of yard trimmings was recovered for composting or 

mulching in 2007. This represents a five-fold increase since 1990. Over 54 percent (45.2 million 

tons) of paper and paperboard was recovered for recycling in 2007. Recycling these organic 

materials alone diverted 26 percent of municipal solid waste from landfills and combustion 

6 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Executive Summary
 

facilities. In addition, about 7.2 million tons, or about 35 percent, of metals were recovered for 

recycling. Recycling rates for all materials categories in 2007 are listed in Table ES-4. 

Table ES-4
 

GENERATION AND RECOVERY OF MATERIALS IN MSW, 2007
 

(in millons of tons and percent of generation of each material)
 

Material 

Weight 

Generated 

Weight 

Recovered 

Recovery As 

a Percent 

of Generation 

Paper and paperboard 83.0 45.2 54.5% 

Glass 13.6 3.22 23.7% 

Metals 

Steel 15.6 5.28 33.8% 

Aluminum 3.35 0.73 21.8% 

Other nonferrous metals* 1.76 1.22 69.3% 

Total metals 20.8 7.23 34.8% 

Plastics 30.7 2.09 6.8% 

Rubber and leather 7.48 1.10 14.7% 

Textiles 11.9 1.90 15.9% 

Wood 14.2 1.32 9.3% 

Other materials 4.43 1.16 26.2% 

Total Materials in Products 186.1 63.3 34.0% 

Other wastes 

Food, other** 31.7 0.81 2.6% 

Yard trimmings 32.6 20.9 64.1% 

Miscellaneous inorganic wastes 3.75 Neg. Neg. 

Total Other Wastes 68.0 21.7 31.9% 

TOTAL MUNICIPAL SOLID WASTE 254.1 85.0 33.4% 

Includes waste from residential, commercial, and institutional sources. 

*	 Includes lead from lead-acid batteries. 

**	 Includes recovery of other MSW organics for composting. 

Details may not add to totals due to rounding. 

Neg. = Less than 5,000 tons or 0.05 percent. 

Products in MSW 

The breakdown, by weight, of product categories generated in MSW in 2007 is shown 

in Figure ES-4. Containers and packaging comprised the largest portion of products generated in 

7 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Executive Summary
 

MSW, at about 31 percent (78.4 million tons). Nondurable goods were the second-largest 

fraction, at 24.5 percent (62.2 million tons). The third-largest category of products is durable 

goods, which made up 17.9 percent (45.4 million tons) of total MSW generation. 

Figure ES-4: Products Generated in MSW, 2007 

(254 million tons before recycling) 

Containers & Packaging
 

30.9%
 

Food Scraps 12.5% 

Yard Trimmings 12.8% 

Nondurable Goods 24.5% 

Other Wastes 1.5% 

Durable Goods 17.9% 

The generation and recovery of the product categories in MSW in 2007 are shown in 

Table ES-5. This table shows that recovery of containers and packaging was the highest of the 

three product categories—42.7 percent of containers and packaging generated in MSW in 2007 

were recovered for recycling. About 49 percent of all aluminum cans in MSW was recovered (39 

percent of all aluminum packaging, including foil), while 64.6 percent of steel packaging (mostly 

cans) in MSW was recovered. Paper and paperboard containers and packaging were recovered at 

a rate of 62.5 percent; corrugated containers accounted for most of that amount. 

8 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Executive Summary
 

Table ES-5
 

GENERATION AND RECOVERY OF PRODUCTS IN MSW
 

BY MATERIAL, 2007
 

(in millons of tons and percent of generation of each product)
 

Products 

Weight 

Generated 

Weight 

Recovered 

Recovery as 

a Percent 

of Generation 

Durable Goods 

Steel 13.0 3.55 27.3% 

Aluminum 1.26 Neg. Neg. 

Other non-ferrous metals* 1.76 1.22 69.3% 

Total metals 16.0 4.77 29.8% 

Glass 2.11 Neg. Neg. 

Plastics 10.4 0.50 4.8% 

Rubber and leather 6.48 1.10 17.0% 

Wood 5.63 Neg. Neg. 

Textiles 3.33 0.46 13.8% 

Other materials 1.41 1.16 82.3% 

Total durable goods 45.4 7.99 17.6% 

Nondurable Goods 

Paper and paperboard 43.1 20.3 47.1% 

Plastics 6.68 Neg. Neg. 

Rubber and leather 0.97 Neg. Neg. 

Textiles 8.34 1.44 17.3% 

Other materials 3.15 Neg. Neg. 

Total nondurable goods 62.2 21.8 35.0% 

Containers and Packaging 

Steel 2.68 1.73 64.6% 

Aluminum 1.87 0.73 39.0% 

Total metals 4.55 2.46 54.1% 

Glass 11.5 3.22 28.1% 

Paper and paperboard 39.9 24.9 62.4% 

Plastics 13.6 1.59 11.7% 

Wood 8.54 1.32 15.5% 

Other materials 0.31 Neg. Neg. 

Total containers and packaging 78.4 33.5 42.7% 

Other Wastes 

Food, other** 31.7 0.81 2.6% 

Yard trimmings 32.6 20.9 64.1% 

Miscellaneous inorganic wastes 3.75 Neg. Neg. 

Total other wastes 68.0 21.7 31.9% 

TOTAL MUNICIPAL SOLID WASTE 254.1 85.0 33.4% 

Includes waste from residential, commercial, and institutional sources. 

*	 Includes lead from lead-acid batteries. 

**	 Includes recovery of other MSW organics for composting. 

Details may not add to totals due to rounding. 

Neg. = Less than 5,000 tons or 0.05 percent. 

9 
Executive Summary
 

Approximately 28 percent of glass containers in MSW were recovered, while about 16 

percent of wood packaging (mostly wood pallets removed from service) was recovered for 

recycling. About 12 percent of plastic containers and packaging in MSW were recovered— 

mostly soft drink, milk, and water bottles. 

Overall recovery of nondurable goods in MSW was at 35 percent in 2007. Most of this 

recovery comes from paper products such as newspapers and high-grade office papers (e.g., 

white papers). Newspapers constituted the largest portion of this recovery, with 77.8 percent of 

newspapers generated being recovered for recycling. An estimated 71.8 percent of high-grade 

office papers and 57.3 percent of other commercial printing was recovered in 2007. Newspaper, 

high-grade office paper, and other commercial printing recovery increased in percentage from 

2006 to 2007. 

Recovery percentages of the other paper products in the nondurable goods category also 

increased between 2006 and 2007, with standard mail *

 recovered at an estimated 40.3 percent, 

and magazines at an estimated 39.6 percent. 

The nondurable goods category also includes clothing and other textile products—17.3 

percent of these products were recovered for recycling or export in 2007. 

Overall, durable goods were recovered at a rate of 17.6 percent in 2007. Nonferrous 

metals other than aluminum had one of the highest recovery rates, at 69.3 percent, due to the high 

rate of lead recovery from lead-acid batteries. Recovery of steel in all durable goods was 27.3 

percent, with high rates of recovery from appliances and other miscellaneous durable goods. 

One of the products with a very high recovery rate was lead-acid batteries, recovered at a 

rate of about 99 percent in 2007. Other products with particularly high recovery rates were 

newspapers (77.8 percent), corrugated boxes (73.6 percent), major appliances (67.1 percent), 

steel packaging (64.6 percent), and aluminum cans (48.6 percent). About 35 percent of rubber 

10 
 

 

Executive Summary
 

tires in MSW were recovered for recycling. (Other tires were retreaded, and shredded rubber tires 

were made into tire-derived fuel.) 

RESIDENTIAL AND COMMERCIAL SOURCES OF MSW 

Sources of MSW, as characterized in this report, include both residential and commercial 

locations. We estimated residential waste (including waste from multi-family dwellings) to be 55 

to 65 percent of total MSW generation. Commercial waste (including waste from schools, 

institutions, and businesses) constitutes between 35 and 45 percent of MSW. Local and regional 

factors, such as climate and level of commercial activity, contribute to these variations. 

MANAGEMENT OF MSW 

Overview 

EPA’s integrated waste management hierarchy includes the following four components, 

listed in order of preference: 

•	 Source reduction (or waste prevention), including reuse of products and on-site 

(or backyard) composting of yard trimmings 

•	 Recycling, including off-site (or community) composting 

•	 Combustion with energy recovery 

•	 Disposal through landfilling. 

* Standard mail was formerly called Third Class mail by the U.S. Postal Service. 

11 
Executive Summary
 

Although we encourage the use of strategies that emphasize the top of the hierarchy 

whenever possible, all four components remain important within an integrated waste 

management system. 

Source Reduction 

Our waste management hierarchy emphasizes the importance of reducing the amount of 

waste created, reusing whenever possible, and then recycling whatever is left. When municipal 

solid waste is reduced and reused, this is called “source reduction”—meaning the material never 

enters the waste stream. 

Source reduction, also called waste prevention, includes the design, manufacture, 

purchase, or use of materials, such as products and packaging, to reduce their amount or toxicity 

before they enter the MSW management system. Examples of source reduction activities are: 

•	 Designing products or packaging to reduce the quantity or the toxicity of the 

materials used or make them easy to reuse. 

•	 Reusing existing products or packaging, such as refillable bottles, reusable pallets, 

and reconditioned barrels and drums. 

•	 Lengthening the lives of products such as tires so fewer need to be produced and 

therefore fewer need to be disposed of. 

•	 Using packaging that reduces the amount of damage or spoilage to the product. 

•	 Managing nonproduct organic wastes (e.g., food scraps, yard trimmings) through 

onsite composting or other alternatives to disposal (e.g., leaving grass clippings on 

the lawn). 

12 
Executive Summary
 

Realizing the value of our resources, both financial and material, we have continued in 

our efforts to reduce waste generation. 

Recycling 

The second component of our waste management hierarchy is recycling, including off-site 

(or community) composting. Residential and commercial recycling turns materials and products 

that would otherwise become waste into valuable resources. Materials like glass, metal, plastics, 

paper, and yard trimmings are collected, separated, and sent to facilities that can process them 

into new materials or products. 

•	 Recycling (including community composting) recovered 33.4 percent (85 million 

tons) of MSW generation in 2007. 

•	 There were about 8,660 curbside recycling programs in the United States in 2006. 

•	 In 2006, over 3,500 yard trimmings composting programs were reported. 

Combustion with Energy Recovery 

MSW combustion with energy recovery increased substantially between 1980 and 1990 

(from 2.7 million tons in 1980 to 29.7 million tons in 1990). Since 1990, the quantity of MSW 

combusted with energy recovery has only increased slightly. An estimated 31.9 million tons (12.6 

percent) of MSW was combusted with energy recovery in 2007 (see Tables ES-1 and ES-2), less 

than the 33.7 million tons estimated in 2000. 

Disposal 

During 2007, about 54 percent of MSW was landfilled, down somewhat from 55.1 

percent in 2006. As shown in Figure ES-5, the number of MSW landfills decreased substantially 

13 
 

 

Executive Summary
 

over the past 18 years, from nearly 8,000 in 1988 to 1,754 in 2006—while average landfill size 

increased. At the national level, capacity does not appear to be a problem, although regional 

dislocations sometimes occur. 

Figure ES-5: Number of Landfills in the United States, 

1988-2007 

8,000 7,924 

7,379 

7,000 

6,326 

6,000 5,812 

5,386 

5,000 

4,482 

2,000 

3,000 

4,000 3,558 

3,197 3,091 

2,514 2,314 2,216 

1,967 1,858 1,767 1,754 1,754 1,754 

1,000 data not 

available 

0 

1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 

•	 The percentage of MSW landfilled decreased slightly from 2006 to 2007. Over 

time, the tonnage of MSW landfilled in 1990 was 142.3 million tons (see Table 

ES-1), but decreased to 136 million tons in 2000. The tonnage increased to 140.1 

million tons in 2006, then declined to 137.2 in 2007. The tonnage landfilled 

results from an interaction among generation, recycling, and combustion with 

energy recovery, which do not necessarily rise and fall at the same time. In 

general, as recovery increases, discards decrease. 

14 
 

 

Executive Summary
 

•	 In 2007, the net per capita discard rate (after materials recovery and combustion 

with energy recovery) was 2.50 pounds per person per day. The net per capita 

discard rate has decreased steadily since 1990. The 1990 rate was 3.12 pounds per 

person per day, the 2000 rate was 2.64 pounds per person per day, and the 2006 

rate was 2.57 pounds per person per day (Table ES-3). 

MSW management through recovery for recycling (including composting), combustion 

with energy recovery, and discard to disposal in 2007 is shown in Figure ES-6. In 2007, 85 

millions tons (33.4 percent) of MSW were recycled, 31.9 million tons (12.6 percent) were 

combusted with energy recovery, and 137.2 million tons (54 percent) were landfilled or 

otherwise disposed. (Relatively small amounts of this total undoubtedly were incinerated without 

energy recovery, littered, or illegally dumped rather than landfilled.) 

Figure ES-6: Management of MSW in the United States, 2007 

Recovery 33.4% 

Combustion with Energy 

Recovery 12.6% 

Discarded 54.0% 

15 
Executive Summary
 

THE BENEFITS OF RECYCLING 

Recycling has environmental benefits at every stage in the life cycle of a consumer 

product—from the raw material with which it’s made to its final method of diposal. Aside from 

reducing GHG emissions, which contribute to global warming, recycling also reduces air and 

water pollution associated with making new products from raw materials. By utilizing used, 

unwanted, or obsolete materials as industrial feedstocks or for new materials or products, we can 

each do our part to make recycling work. 

Nationally, we recycled 85 million tons of MSW. This provides an annual benefit of 193 

million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent emissions reduced, comparable to removing the 

emissions from 35 million passenger cars. But the ultimate benefits from recycling are cleaner 

land, air, and water, overall better health, and a more sustainable economy. 

The benefits of recycling and composting, such as elimination of GHG emissions, are 

calculated using EPA’s WARM methodology. Please see: www.epa.gov/warm. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION 

This report and related additional data are available on the Internet at www.epa.gov/osw. 

16 
Chapter 1 Introduction and Methodology
 

CHAPTER 1 


INTRODUCTION AND METHODOLOGY
 

INTRODUCTION
 

This report is the most recent in a series of reports sponsored by the U.S. Environmental 

Protection Agency to characterize municipal solid waste (MSW) in the United States. Together 

with the previous reports, this report provides a historical database for a 47-year characterization 

(by weight) of the materials and products in MSW. 

Management of the nation’s municipal solid waste (MSW) continues to be a high priority 

for communities in the 21st century. The concept of integrated solid waste management⎯source 

reduction of wastes before they enter the waste stream, recovery of generated wastes for 

recycling (including composting), and environmentally sound management through combustion 

with energy recovery and landfilling that meet current standards⎯is being used by communities 

as they plan for the future. 

This chapter provides background on integrated waste management and this year’s 

characterization report, followed by a brief overview of the methodology. Next is a section on the 

variety of uses for the information in this report. Then, more detail on the methodology is 

provided, followed by a description of the contents of the remainder of the report. 

BACKGROUND 

The Solid Waste Management Hierarchy 

EPA’s 1989 Agenda for Action endorsed the concept of integrated waste management, by 

which municipal solid waste is reduced or managed through several different practices, which 

can be tailored to fit a particular community’s needs. The components of the hierarchy are: 

17 
Chapter 1 	 Introduction and Methodology
 

•	 Source reduction (or waste prevention), including reuse of products and on-site 

(or backyard) composting of yard trimmings. 

•	 Recycling, including off-site (or community) composting. 

•	 Combustion with energy recovery. 

•	 Disposal through landfilling. 

As done in previous versions of this report, combustion with energy recovery is shown as 

discards in the Chapter 2 tables and figures. 

Overview of the Methodology 

Readers should note that this report characterizes the municipal solid waste stream of the 

nation as a whole. Data in this report can be used at the national level. The report can also be 

used to address state, regional, and local situations, where more detailed data are not available or 

would be too expensive to gather. More detail on uses for this information in this report for both 

national and local purposes is provided later in this chapter. 

At the state or local level, recycling rates often are developed by counting and weighing 

all the recyclables collected, and then aggregating these data to yield a state or local recycling 

rate. At the national level, we use instead a materials flow methodology, which relies heavily on a 

mass balance approach. Using data gathered from industry associations, key businesses, and 

similar industry sources, and supported by government data from sources such as the Department 

of Commerce and the U.S. Census Bureau, we estimate tons of materials and products generated, 

recycled, or discarded. Other sources of data, such as waste characterizations and surveys 

performed by governments, industry, or the press, supplement these data. 

18 
 

Chapter 1 Introduction and Methodology
 

To estimate MSW generation, production data are adjusted by imports and exports from 

the United States, where necessary. Allowances are made for the average lifespans of different 

products. Information on amounts of disposed MSW managed by combustion comes from 

industry sources and the press. MSW not managed by recycling (including composting) or 

combustion is assumed to be landfilled. 

In any estimation of MSW generation, it is important to define what is and is not included 

in municipal solid waste. EPA includes those materials that historically have been handled in the 

municipal solid waste stream–those materials from municipal sources, sent to municipal landfills. 

In this report, MSW includes wastes such as product packaging, newspapers, office and 

classroom papers, bottles and cans, boxes, wood pallets, food scraps, grass clippings, clothing, 

furniture, appliances, automobile tires, consumer electronics, and batteries. 

A common error in using this report is to assume that all nonhazardous wastes are 

included. As shown later in this chapter, municipal solid waste as defined here does not include 

construction and demolition debris, biosolids (sewage sludges), industrial process wastes, or a 

number of other wastes that, in some cases, may go to a municipal waste landfill. These 

materials, over time, have tended to be handled separately and are not included in the totals in 

this report. EPA has addressed several of these materials separately, for instance, in Biosolids 

Generation, Use, and Disposal in the United States, EPA530-R-99-009, September 1999, and 

Characterization of Building-Related Construction and Demolition Debris in the United States, 

EPA530-R-98-010, May 1998. Recycling (including composting) is encouraged for these 

materials as well. 

In addition, the source of municipal solid waste is important. EPA’s figures include 

municipal solid waste from homes, institutions such as schools and prisons, and commercial 

sources such as restaurants and small businesses. MSW does not include wastes of other types or 

from other sources, including automobile bodies, municipal sludges, combustion ash, and 

industrial process wastes that might also be disposed in municipal waste landfills or combustion 

units. 

19 
Chapter 1 Introduction and Methodology
 

HOW THIS REPORT CAN BE USED 

Nationwide. The data in this report provide a nationwide picture of municipal solid waste 

generation and management. The historical perspective is particularly useful in establishing 

trends and highlighting the changes that have occurred over the years, both in types of wastes 

generated and in the ways they are managed. This perspective on MSW and its management is 

useful in assessing national solid waste management needs and policy. The consistency in 

methodology and scope aids in the use of the document for reporting over time. The report is, 

however, of equal or greater value as a solid waste management planning tool for state and local 

governments and private firms. 

Local or state level. At the local or state level, the data in this report can be used to 

develop approximate (but quick) estimates of MSW generation in a defined area. That is, the data 

on generation of MSW per person nationally may be used to estimate generation in a city or other 

local area based on the population in that area. This can be of value when a “ballpark” estimate 

of MSW generation in an area is needed. For example, communities may use such an estimate to 

determine the potential viability of regional versus single community solid waste management 

facilities. This information can help define solid waste management planning areas and the 

planning needed in those areas. However, for communities making decisions where knowledge 

of the amount and composition of MSW is crucial, (e.g., where a solid waste management 

facility is being sited), local estimates of the waste stream should be made. 

Another useful feature of this report for local planning is the information provided on 

MSW trends. Changes over time in total MSW generation and the mix of MSW materials can 

affect the need for and use of various waste management alternatives. Observing trends in MSW 

generation can help in planning an integrated waste management system that includes facilities 

sized and designed for years of service. 

While the national average data are useful as a checkpoint against local MSW 

characterization data, any differences between local and national data should be examined 

20 
Chapter 1 	 Introduction and Methodology
 

carefully. There are many regional variations that require each community to examine its own 

waste management needs. Such factors as local and regional availability of suitable landfill 

space, proximity of markets for recovered materials, population density, commercial and 

industrial activity, and climatic and groundwater variations all may motivate each community to 

make its own plans. 

Specific reasons for regional differences may include: 

•	 Variations in climate and local waste management practices, which greatly 

influence generation of yard trimmings. For instance, yard trimmings exhibit 

strong seasonal variations in most regions of the country. Also, the level of 

backyard composting in a region will affect generation of yard trimmings. 

•	 Differences in the scope of waste streams. That is, a local landfill may be 

receiving construction and demolition wastes in addition to MSW, but this report 

addresses MSW only. 

•	 Variance in the per capita generation of some products, such as newspapers and 

telephone directories, depending upon the average size of the publications. 

Typically, rural areas will generate less of these products on a per person basis 

than urban areas. 

•	 Level of commercial activity in a community. This will influence the generation 

rate of some products, such as office paper, corrugated boxes, wood pallets, and 

food scraps from restaurants. 

•	 Variations in economic activity, which affect waste generation in both the 

residential and the commercial sectors. 

21 
Chapter 1 	 Introduction and Methodology
 

•	 Local and state regulations and practices. Deposit laws, bans on landfilling of 

specific products, and variable rate pricing for waste collection are examples of 

practices that can influence a local waste stream. 

While caution should be used in applying the data in this report, for some areas, the 

national breakdown of MSW by material may be the only such data available for use in 

comparing and planning waste management alternatives. Planning a curbside recycling program, 

for example, requires an estimate of household recyclables that may be recovered. If resources 

are not available to adequately estimate these materials by other means, local planners may turn 

to the national data. National data are also useful in areas where appropriate adjustments in the 

data can be made to account for regional conditions as mentioned above. 

In summary, the data in this report can be used in local planning to: 

•	 Develop approximate estimates of total MSW generation in an area. 

•	 Check locally developed MSW data for accuracy and consistency. 

•	 Account for trends in total MSW generation and the generation of individual 

components. 

•	 Help set goals and measure progress in source reduction and recycling (including 

composting). 

22 
Chapter 1 Introduction and Methodology
 

CHARACTERIZATION OF MUNICIPAL SOLID WASTE: IN PERSPECTIVE 

The Two Methodologies for Characterizing MSW: Site-Specific Versus Materials Flow 

There are two basic approaches to estimating quantities of municipal solid waste at the 

local, state, or national levels—site-specific and materials flow. This report is based on the 

materials flow approach because site-specific approaches are problematic for national estimates. 

Site-specific studies. In the first methodology, which is site-specific, sampling, sorting, 

and weighing the individual components of the waste stream could be used. This methodology is 

useful in defining a local waste stream, especially if large numbers of samples are taken over 

several seasons. Results of sampling also increase the body of knowledge about variations due to 

climatic and seasonal changes, population density, regional differences, and other factors. In 

addition, quantities of MSW components such as food scraps and yard trimmings can only be 

estimated through sampling and weighing studies. 

A disadvantage of sampling studies based on a limited number of samples is that they 

may be skewed and misleading if, for example, atypical circumstances were experienced during 

the sampling. These circumstances could include an unusually wet or dry season, delivery of 

some unusual wastes during the sampling period, or errors in the sampling methodology. Any 

errors of this kind will be greatly magnified when a limited number of samples are taken to 

represent a community’s entire waste stream for a year. Magnification of errors could be even 

more serious if a limited number of samples was relied upon for making the national estimates of 

MSW. Also, extensive sampling would be prohibitively expensive for making the national 

estimates. An additional disadvantage of sampling studies is that they do not provide information 

about trends unless performed in a consistent manner over a long period of time. 

Of course, at the state or local level, sampling may not be necessary⎯many states and 

localities count all materials recovered for recycling, and many weigh all wastes being disposed 

to generate state or local recycling rates from the “ground up.” To use these figures at the 

23 
Chapter 1 Introduction and Methodology
 

national level would require all states to perform these studies, and perform them in a consistent 

manner conducive to developing a national summary, which so far has not been practical. 

Materials flow. The second approach to quantifying and characterizing the municipal 

solid waste stream–the methodology used for this report–utilizes a materials flow approach to 

estimate the waste stream on a nationwide basis. In the late 1960s and early 1970s, EPA’s Office 

of Solid Waste and its predecessors at the Public Health Service sponsored work that began to 

develop this methodology. This report represents the latest version of this database that has been 

evolving for over 30 years. 

The materials flow methodology is based on production data (by weight) for the materials 

and products in the waste stream. To estimate generation data, specific adjustments are made to 

the production data for each material and product category. Adjustments are made for imports 

and exports and for diversions from MSW (e.g., for building materials made of plastic and 

paperboard that become construction and demolition debris.) Adjustments are also made for the 

lifetimes of products. Finally, food scraps, yard trimmings, and a small amount of miscellaneous 

inorganic wastes are accounted for by compiling data from a variety of waste sampling studies. 

One problem with the materials flow methodology is that product residues associated 

with other items in MSW (usually containers) are not accounted for. These residues would 

include, for example, food left in a jar, detergent left in a box or bottle, and dried paint in a can. 

Some household hazardous wastes, (e.g., pesticide left in a can) are also included among these 

product residues. 

Municipal Solid Waste Defined in Greater Detail 

As stated earlier, EPA includes those materials that historically have been handled in the 

municipal solid waste stream–those materials from municipal sources, sent to municipal landfills. 

In this report, MSW includes wastes such as product packaging, newspapers, office and 

classroom paper, bottles and cans, boxes, wood pallets, food scraps, grass clippings, clothing, 

24 
 

 

Chapter 1 Introduction and Methodology
 

furniture, appliances, automobile tires, consumer electronics, and lead-acid batteries. For 

purposes of analysis, these products and materials are often grouped in this report into the 

following categories: durable goods, nondurable goods, containers and packaging, food scraps 

and yard trimmings, and miscellaneous inorganic wastes. 

Municipal solid wastes characterized in this report come from residential, commercial, 

institutional, or industrial sources. Some examples of the types of MSW that come from each of 

the broad categories of sources are: 

Sources and Examples Example Products 

Residential (single-and multi-family homes) Newspapers, clothing, disposable tableware, 

food packaging, cans and bottles, food scraps, 

yard trimmings 

Commercial (office buildings, retail and 

wholesale establishments, restaurants) 

Corrugated boxes, food scraps, office papers, 

disposable tableware, paper napkins, yard 

trimmings 

Institutional (schools, libraries, hospitals, 

prisons) 

Cafeteria and restroom trash can wastes, office 

papers, classroom wastes, yard trimmings 

Industrial (packaging and administrative; not 

process wastes) 

Corrugated boxes, plastic film, wood pallets, 

lunchroom wastes, office papers. 

The materials flow methodology used in this report does not readily lend itself to the 

quantification of wastes according to their sources. For example, corrugated boxes may be 

unpacked and discarded from residences, commercial establishments such as grocery stores and 

offices, institutions such as schools, or factories. Similarly, office papers are mostly generated in 

offices, but they also are generated in residences and institutions. The methodology estimates 

25 
 

Chapter 1 Introduction and Methodology
 

only the total quantity of products generated, not their places of disposal or recovery for 

recycling. 

Other Subtitle D Wastes 

Some people assume that “municipal solid waste” must include everything that is 

landfilled in Subtitle D landfills. (Subtitle D of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act 

deals with wastes other than the hazardous wastes covered under Subtitle C.) As shown in Figure 

1, however, RCRA Subtitle D includes many kinds of wastes. It has been common practice to 

landfill wastes such as municipal sludges, nonhazardous industrial wastes, residue from 

automobile salvage operations, and construction and demolition debris along with MSW, but 

these other kinds of wastes are not included in the estimates presented in this report. 

Figure 1-A: Municipal Solid Waste in the Universe of Subtitle D Wastes 

Subtitle D Wastes 

The Subtitle D Waste included in this report is Municipal Solid Waste, which includes: 

Containers and packaging such as soft drink bottles and corrugated boxes 

Durable goods such as furniture and appliances 

Nondurable goods such as newspapers, trash bags, and clothing 

Other wastes such as food scraps and yard trimmings. 

Subtitle D Wastes not included in this report are:

 Municipal sludges Agricultural wastes

 Industrial nonhazardous wastes Oil and gas wastes

 Construction and demolition debris Mining wastes 

26 
 

Chapter 1 Introduction and Methodology
 

Figure 1-B: Definition of Terms
 

The materials flow methodology produces an estimate of total municipal solid waste generation, 

recovery, and discards in the United States by materials and by product categories. 

The term generation as used in this report refers to the weight of materials and products as they enter 

the waste management system from residential, commercial, institutional, and industrial sources and before 

materials recovery or combustion takes place. Preconsumer (industrial) scrap is not included in the generation 

estimates. Source reduction activities (e.g., backyard composting of yard trimmings) take place ahead of 

generation. 

Source reduction activities reduce the amount or toxicity of wastes before they enter the municipal 

solid waste management system. Reuse is a source reduction activity involving the recovery or reapplication 

of a package, used product, or material in a manner that retains its original form or identity. Reuse of products 

such as refillable glass bottles, reusable plastic food storage containers, or refurbished wood pallets is 

considered to be source reduction, not recycling. 

Recovery of materials as estimated in this report includes products and yard trimmings removed 

from the waste stream for the purpose of recycling or composting. For recovered products, recovery equals 

reported purchases of postconsumer recovered material (e.g., glass cullet, old newspapers) plus net exports (if 

any) of the material. Thus, recovery of old corrugated containers (OCC) is the sum of OCC purchases by 

paper mills plus net exports of OCC. If recovery as reported by a data source includes converting or 

fabrication (preconsumer) scrap, the preconsumer scrap is not counted towards the recovery estimates in this 

report. Imported secondary materials are also not counted in recovery estimates in this report. For some 

materials, additional uses, such as glass used for highway construction or newspapers used to make 

insulation, are added into the recovery totals. 

Combustion of MSW with energy recovery, often called “waste-to-energy,” is estimated in Chapter 3 

of this report. Combustion of separated materials–wood and rubber from tires–is included in the estimates of 

combustion with energy recovery in this report. 

Discards include MSW remaining after recovery for recycling or composting. These discards 

presumably would be combusted with or without energy recovery or landfilled, although some MSW is 

littered, stored or disposed onsite, or burned onsite, particularly in rural areas. No good estimates for these 

other disposal practices are available, but the total amounts of MSW involved are presumed to be small. 

27 
Chapter 1 Introduction and Methodology
 

For the analysis of municipal solid waste, products are divided into three basic categories: durable 

goods, nondurable goods, and containers and packaging. The durable goods and nondurable goods categories 

generally follow the definitions of the U.S. Department of Commerce. 

Durable goods are those products that last 3 years or more. Products in this category include major 

and small appliances, furniture and furnishings, carpets and rugs, tires, lead-acid batteries, consumer 

electronics, and other miscellaneous durables. 

Nondurable goods are those products that last less than 3 years. Products in this category include 

newspapers, books, magazines, office papers, directories, mail, other commercial printing, tissue paper and 

towels, paper and plastic plates and cups, trash bags, disposable diapers, clothing and footwear, towels, sheets 

and pillowcases, other nonpackaging paper, and other miscellaneous nondurables. 

Containers and packaging are assumed to be discarded the same year the products they contain are 

purchased. Products in this category include bottles, containers, corrugated boxes, milk cartons, folding 

cartons, bags, sacks, and wraps, wood packaging, and other miscellaneous packaging. 

Materials and Products Not Included in These Estimates 

As noted earlier, other Subtitle D wastes (illustrated in Figure 1) are not included in these 

estimates, even though some may be managed along with MSW (e.g., by combustion or 

landfilling). Household hazardous wastes, while generated as MSW with other residential wastes, 

are not identified separately in this report. Transportation parts and equipment (including 

automobiles and trucks) are not included in the wastes characterized in this report. 

Certain other materials associated with products in MSW are often not accounted for 

because the appropriate data series have not yet been developed. These include, for example, inks 

and other pigments and some additives associated with packaging materials. Considerable 

additional research would be required to estimate these materials, which constitute a relatively 

small percentage of the waste stream. 

28 
Chapter 1 Introduction and Methodology
 

Some adjustments are made in this report to account for packaging of imported goods, 

but there is little available documentation of these amounts. 

OVERVIEW OF THIS REPORT 

Following this introductory chapter, Chapter 2 presents the results of the municipal solid 

waste characterization (by weight). Estimates of MSW generation, recovery, and discards are 

presented in a series of tables, with discussion. Detailed tables and figures summarizing 2007 

MSW generation, recovery, and discards of products in each material category are included. 

In Chapter 3 of the report, estimates of MSW management by the various alternatives are 

summarized. These include recovery for recycling and composting, combustion, and landfilling. 

Summaries of the infrastructure currently available for each waste management alternative are 

also included in Chapter 3. 

A brief discussion of the materials flow methodology for estimating generation, recycling, 

and disposal is presented in Appendix A. 

29 
Chapter 1 Introduction and Methodology
 

CHAPTER 1 


REFERENCES
 

Darnay, A., and W.E. Franklin, The Role of Packaging in Solid Waste Management, 1966 to 

1976. Public Health Service Publication No. 1855. U.S. Government Printing Office. 1969. 

Franklin, W.E., and A. Darnay. The Role of Nonpackaging Paper in Solid Waste Management, 

1966 to 1976. Public Health Service Publication No. 2040. U.S. Government Printing Office. 

1971. 

Darnay, A., and W.E. Franklin. Salvage Markets for Materials in Solid Wastes. Environmental 

Protection Publication SW-29c. U.S. Government Printing Office. 1972. 

Franklin, W.E., et al. Base Line Forecasts of Resource Recovery 1972 to 1990. Midwest 

Research Institute for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. March 1975. 

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Solid Waste Management Programs. Second 

Report to Congress: Resource Recovery and Source Reduction (SW-122). 1974. 

Smith, F.L., Jr. A Solid Waste Estimation Procedure: Material Flows Approach. U.S. 

Environmental Protection Agency (SW-147). May 1975. 

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Solid Waste Management Programs. Third 

Report to Congress: Resource Recovery and Source Reduction (SW-161). 1975. 

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Solid Waste Management Programs. Fourth 

Report to Congress: Resource Recovery and Waste Reduction (SW-600). 1977. 

30 
Chapter 1 Introduction and Methodology
 

Franklin Associates, Ltd. Post-consumer Solid Waste and Resource Recovery Baseline. Prepared 

for the Resource Conservation Committee. May 16, 1979. 

Franklin Associates, Ltd. Post-consumer Solid Waste and Resource Recovery Baseline: Working 

Papers. Prepared for the Resource Conservation Committee. May 16, 1979. 

Resource Conservation Committee. Choices for Conservation: Final Report to the President and 

Congress (SW-779). July 1979. 

Franklin Associates, Ltd. Characterization of Municipal Solid Waste in the United States, 1960 


to 2000. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. July 11, 1986. 


Franklin Associates, Ltd. Characterization of Municipal Solid Waste in the United States, 1960 


to 2000 (Update 1988). U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. March 30, 1988. 


U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Characterization of Municipal Solid Waste in the United 

States: 1990 Update. (EPA/SW-90-042). June 1990. 

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Characterization of Municipal Solid Waste in the United 

States: 1992 Update. (EPA/530-R-92-019). July 1992. 

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Characterization of Municipal Solid Waste in the United 

States: 1994 Update. EPA/530-R-94-042. November 1994. 

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Characterization of Municipal Solid Waste in the United 

States: 1995 Update. EPA/530-R-945-001. March 1996. 

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Characterization of Municipal Solid Waste in the United 

States: 1996 Update. EPA/530-R-97-015. June 1997. 

31 
Chapter 1 Introduction and Methodology
 

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Characterization of Municipal Solid Waste in the United 

States: 1997 Update. EPA/530-R-98-007. May 1998. 

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Characterization of Municipal Solid Waste in the United 

States: 1998 Update. EPA/530-R-99-021. September 1999. 

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Municipal Solid Waste Generation, Recycling and 

Disposal in the United States: Facts and Figures for 1998. EPA/530-F-00-024. April 2000. 

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Municipal Solid Waste in The United States: 1999 Facts 

and Figures. EPA/530-R-01-014. July 2001. 

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Municipal Solid Waste in The United States: 2000 Facts 

and Figures. EPA/530-R-02-001. June 2002. http://www.epa.gov/epaoswer/nonhw/muncpl/pubs/report-00.pdf. 

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Municipal Solid Waste in The United States: 2001 Facts 

and Figures. EPA/530-R-03-011. October 2003. http://www.epa.gov/epaoswer/nonhw/muncpl/pubs/msw2001.pdf. 

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Municipal Solid Waste in The United States: 2005 Facts 

and Figures. EPA530-R-06-011. October 2006. http://www.epa.gov/epaoswer/nonhw/muncpl/pubs/mswchar05.pdf. 

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Municipal Solid Waste Task Force, Office of Solid 

Waste. The Solid Waste Dilemma: An Agenda for Action. February 1989. 

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Solid Waste. Subtitle D Study Phase I Report 

(EPA/530-SW-054). October 1986. 

32 
Chapter 2 Characterization of Municipal Solid Waste by Weight
 

CHAPTER 2 

CHARACTERIZATION OF MUNICIPAL SOLID WASTE BY WEIGHT 

INTRODUCTION 

The tables and figures in this chapter present the results of the update of EPA’s municipal 

solid waste characterization report through 2007. The data presented also incorporate some 

revisions to previously reported data for 2000 through 2006. The revisions are generally due to 

improvements in the data available from data sources used in developing this report. 

This chapter discusses how much municipal solid waste (MSW) is generated, recovered, 

and disposed. First, an overview presents this information for the most recent years, and for 

selected years back to 1960. This information is summarized in Tables 1 to 3 and Figures 10 to 

13. Then, throughout the remainder of the chapter, MSW is characterized in more detail. 

Findings are presented in two basic ways: the first portion of the chapter presents data by 

material type. Some material types of most use to planners (paper and paperboard, glass, metals, 

plastics, and rubber and leather) are presented in detail in Tables 4 to 8 and Figures 2 to 9, while 

data on other materials also are summarized in Figures 12 and 13. 

The second portion of the chapter presents data by product type. This information is 

presented in Tables 9 to 23 and Figures 14 to 16. Products are classified into durable goods (e.g., 

appliances, furniture, tires); nondurable goods (e.g., newspapers, office-type papers, trash bags, 

clothing); and containers and packaging (e.g., bottles, cans, corrugated boxes). A fourth major 

category includes other wastes⎯yard trimmings, food scraps, and miscellaneous inorganic 

wastes. These wastes are not manufactured products, but to provide complete information in each 

table, they are included in both the product and the material tables. 

33 
Chapter 2 Characterization of Municipal Solid Waste by Weight
 

This chapter provides data on generation, recovery, and discards of MSW. (See Figure 1­

B in Chapter 1 for definitions of these terms.) Recovery, in this report, means that the materials 

have been removed from the municipal solid waste stream. Recovery of materials in products 

means that the materials are reported to have been purchased by an end user or have been 

exported from the United States. For yard trimmings, recovery includes estimates of the 

trimmings delivered to a composting facility (not backyard composting). Under these definitions, 

residues from a materials recovery facility (MRF) or other waste processing facility are counted 

as generation (and, of course, discards), since they are not purchased by an end user. Residues 

from an end user facility (e.g., sludges from a paper deinking mill) are considered to be industrial 

process wastes that are no longer part of the municipal solid waste stream. 

MUNICIPAL SOLID WASTE: CHARACTERIZED BY MATERIAL TYPE 

Generation, recovery, and discards of materials in MSW, by weight and by percentage of 

generation and discards, are summarized in Tables 1 through 3. Figures 10 and 11 (later in this 

chapter) illustrate these data over time. A snapshot, by material, for 2007 is provided in Figures 

12 and 13. In the following sections, each material is discussed in detail. 

34 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chapter 2 Characterization of Municipal Solid Waste by Weight
 

Table 1 

MATERIALS GENERATED* IN THE MUNICIPAL WASTE STREAM, 1960 TO 2007 

(In thousands of tons and percent of total generation) 

Thousands of Tons 

Materials 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2004 2005 2006 2007 

Paper and Paperboard 29,990 44,310 55,160 72,730 87,740 86,450 84,840 85,350 83,010 

Glass 6,720 12,740 15,130 13,100 12,760 12,890 13,320 13,520 13,580 

Metals 

Ferrous 10,300 12,360 12,620 12,640 14,110 14,990 14,990 15,500 15,640 

Aluminum 340 800 1,730 2,810 3,200 3,280 3,330 3,400 3,350 

Other Nonferrous 180 670 1,160 1,100 1,600 1,710 1,740 1,760 1,760 

Total Metals 10,820 13,830 15,510 16,550 18,910 19,980 20,060 20,660 20,750 

Plastics 390 2,900 6,830 17,130 25,540 29,480 29,240 29,810 30,730 

Rubber and Leather 1,840 2,970 4,200 5,790 6,710 7,150 7,360 7,400 7,480 

Textiles 1,760 2,040 2,530 5,810 9,440 10,980 11,380 11,870 11,920 

Wood 3,030 3,720 7,010 12,210 13,110 13,890 14,080 14,100 14,210 

Other ** 70 770 2,520 3,190 4,000 4,130 4,170 4,310 4,430 

Total Materials in Products 54,620 83,280 108,890 146,510 178,210 184,950 184,450 187,020 186,110 

Other Wastes 

Food Scraps 12,200 12,800 13,000 20,800 26,810 29,410 30,220 31,040 31,650 

Yard Trimmings 20,000 23,200 27,500 35,000 30,530 31,770 32,070 32,400 32,630 

Miscellaneous Inorganic Wastes 1,300 1,780 2,250 2,900 3,500 3,650 3,690 3,720 3,750 

Total Other Wastes 33,500 37,780 42,750 58,700 60,840 64,830 65,980 67,160 68,030 

Total MSW Generated - Weight 88,120 121,060 151,640 205,210 239,050 249,780 250,430 254,180 254,140 

Percent of Total Generation 

Materials 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2004 2005 2006 2007 

Paper and Paperboard 34.0% 36.6% 36.4% 35.4% 36.7% 34.6% 33.9% 33.6% 32.7% 

Glass 7.6% 10.5% 10.0% 6.4% 5.3% 5.2% 5.3% 5.3% 5.3% 

Metals 

Ferrous 11.7% 10.2% 8.3% 6.2% 5.9% 6.0% 6.0% 6.1% 6.2% 

Aluminum 0.4% 0.7% 1.1% 1.4% 1.3% 1.3% 1.3% 1.3% 1.3% 

Other Nonferrous 0.2% 0.6% 0.8% 0.5% 0.7% 0.7% 0.7% 0.7% 0.7% 

Total Metals 12.3% 11.4% 10.2% 8.1% 7.9% 8.0% 8.0% 8.1% 8.2% 

Plastics 0.4% 2.4% 4.5% 8.3% 10.7% 11.8% 11.7% 11.7% 12.1% 

Rubber and Leather 2.1% 2.5% 2.8% 2.8% 2.8% 2.9% 2.9% 2.9% 2.9% 

Textiles 2.0% 1.7% 1.7% 2.8% 3.9% 4.4% 4.5% 4.7% 4.7% 

Wood 3.4% 3.1% 4.6% 6.0% 5.5% 5.6% 5.6% 5.5% 5.6% 

Other ** 0.1% 0.6% 1.7% 1.6% 1.7% 1.7% 1.7% 1.7% 1.7% 

Total Materials in Products 62.0% 68.8% 71.8% 71.4% 74.5% 74.0% 73.7% 73.6% 73.2% 

Other Wastes 

Food Scraps 13.8% 10.6% 8.6% 10.1% 11.2% 11.8% 12.1% 12.2% 12.5% 

Yard Trimmings 22.7% 19.2% 18.1% 17.1% 12.8% 12.7% 12.8% 12.7% 12.8% 

Miscellaneous Inorganic Wastes 1.5% 1.5% 1.5% 1.4% 1.5% 1.5% 1.5% 1.5% 1.5% 

Total Other Wastes 38.0% 31.2% 28.2% 28.6% 25.5% 26.0% 26.3% 26.4% 26.8% 

Total MSW Generated - % 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 

* Generation before materials recovery or combustion. Does not include construction & demolition debris, industrial 

process wastes, or certain other wastes. 

** Includes electrolytes in batteries and fluff pulp, feces, and urine in disposable diapers. 

Details may not add to totals due to rounding. 

Source: Franklin Associates, A Division of ERG 

35 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chapter 2 Characterization of Municipal Solid Waste by Weight
 

Table 2
 

RECOVERY* OF MUNICIPAL SOLID WASTE, 1960 TO 2007
 

(In thousands of tons and percent of generation of each material)
 

Thousands of Tons 

Materials 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2004 2005 2006 2007 

Paper and Paperboard 5,080 6,770 11,740 20,230 37,560 40,730 41,960 43,830 45,240 

Glass 100 160 750 2,630 2,880 2,730 2,800 2,880 3,220 

Metals 

Ferrous 50 150 370 2,230 4,680 5,160 5,030 5,260 5,280 

Aluminum Neg. 10 310 1,010 860 710 690 690 730 

Other Nonferrous Neg. 320 540 730 1,060 1,190 1,200 1,220 1,220 

Total Metals 50 480 1,220 3,970 6,600 7,060 6,920 7,170 7,230 

Plastics Neg. Neg. 20 370 1,480 1,720 1,760 2,050 2,090 

Rubber and Leather 330 250 130 370 820 1,090 1,100 1,090 1,100 

Textiles 50 60 160 660 1,320 1,780 1,850 1,880 1,900 

Wood Neg. Neg. Neg. 130 1,240 1,290 1,310 1,310 1,320 

Other ** Neg. 300 500 680 980 1,120 1,140 1,170 1,160 

Total Materials in Products 5,610 8,020 14,520 29,040 52,880 57,520 58,840 61,380 63,260 

Other Wastes 

Food Scraps Neg. Neg. Neg. Neg. 680 660 690 680 810 

Yard Trimmings Neg. Neg. Neg. 4,200 15,770 19,810 19,860 20,100 20,900 

Miscellaneous Inorganic Wastes Neg. Neg. Neg. Neg. Neg. Neg. Neg. Neg. Neg. 

Total Other Wastes Neg. Neg. Neg. 4,200 16,450 20,470 20,550 20,780 21,710 

Total MSW Recovered - Weight 5,610 8,020 14,520 33,240 69,330 77,990 79,390 82,160 84,970 

Percent of Generation of Each Material 

Materials 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2004 2005 2006 2007 

Paper and Paperboard 16.9% 15.3% 21.3% 27.8% 42.8% 47.1% 49.5% 51.4% 54.5% 

Glass 1.5% 1.3% 5.0% 20.1% 22.6% 21.2% 21.0% 21.3% 23.7% 

Metals 

Ferrous 0.5% 1.2% 2.9% 17.6% 33.2% 34.4% 33.6% 33.9% 33.8% 

Aluminum Neg. 1.3% 17.9% 35.9% 26.9% 21.6% 20.7% 20.3% 21.8% 

Other Nonferrous Neg. 47.8% 46.6% 66.4% 66.3% 69.6% 69.0% 69.3% 69.3% 

Total Metals 0.5% 3.5% 7.9% 24.0% 34.9% 35.3% 34.5% 34.7% 34.8% 

Plastics Neg. Neg. 0.3% 2.2% 5.8% 5.8% 6.0% 6.9% 6.8% 

Rubber and Leather 17.9% 8.4% 3.1% 6.4% 12.2% 15.2% 14.9% 14.7% 14.7% 

Textiles 2.8% 2.9% 6.3% 11.4% 14.0% 16.2% 16.3% 15.8% 15.9% 

Wood Neg. Neg. Neg. 1.1% 9.5% 9.3% 9.3% 9.3% 9.3% 

Other ** Neg. 39.0% 19.8% 21.3% 24.5% 27.1% 27.3% 27.1% 26.2% 

Total Materials in Products 10.3% 9.6% 13.3% 19.8% 29.7% 31.1% 31.9% 32.8% 34.0% 

Other Wastes 

Food, Other^ Neg. Neg. Neg. Neg. 2.5% 2.2% 2.3% 2.2% 2.6% 

Yard Trimmings Neg. Neg. Neg. 12.0% 51.7% 62.4% 61.9% 62.0% 64.1% 

Miscellaneous Inorganic Wastes Neg. Neg. Neg. Neg. Neg. Neg. Neg. Neg. Neg. 

Total Other Wastes Neg. Neg. Neg. 7.2% 27.0% 31.6% 31.1% 30.9% 31.9% 

Total MSW Recovered - % 6.4% 6.6% 9.6% 16.2% 29.0% 31.2% 31.7% 32.3% 33.4% 

* Recovery of postconsumer wastes; does not include converting/fabrication scrap. 

** Recovery of electrolytes in batteries; probably not recycled. 

Neg. = Less than 5,000 tons or 0.05 percent. 

^ Includes recovery of paper and mixed MSW for composting.
 

Details may not add to totals due to rounding.
 

Source: Franklin Associates, A Division of ERG
 

36 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chapter 2 Characterization of Municipal Solid Waste by Weight
 

Table 3 

MATERIALS DISCARDED* IN THE MUNICIPAL WASTE STREAM, 1960 TO 2007 

(In thousands of tons and percent of total discards) 

Thousands of Tons 

Materials 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2004 2005 2006 2007 

Paper and Paperboard 24,910 37,540 43,420 52,500 50,180 45,720 42,880 41,520 37,770 

Glass 6,620 12,580 14,380 10,470 9,880 10,160 10,520 10,640 10,360 

Metals 

Ferrous 10,250 12,210 12,250 10,410 9,430 9,830 9,960 10,240 10,360 

Aluminum 340 790 1,420 1,800 2,340 2,570 2,640 2,710 2,620 

Other Nonferrous 180 350 620 370 540 520 540 540 540 

Total Metals 10,770 13,350 14,290 12,580 12,310 12,920 13,140 13,490 13,520 

Plastics 390 2,900 6,810 16,760 24,060 27,760 27,480 27,760 28,640 

Rubber and Leather 1,510 2,720 4,070 5,420 5,890 6,060 6,260 6,310 6,380 

Textiles 1,710 1,980 2,370 5,150 8,120 9,200 9,530 9,990 10,020 

Wood 3,030 3,720 7,010 12,080 11,870 12,600 12,770 12,790 12,890 

Other ** 70 470 2,020 2,510 3,020 3,010 3,030 3,140 3,270 

Total Materials in Products 49,010 75,260 94,370 117,470 125,330 127,430 125,610 125,640 122,850 

Other Wastes 

Food Scraps 12,200 12,800 13,000 20,800 26,130 28,750 29,530 30,360 30,840 

Yard Trimmings 20,000 23,200 27,500 30,800 14,760 11,960 12,210 12,300 11,730 

Miscellaneous Inorganic Wastes 1,300 1,780 2,250 2,900 3,500 3,650 3,690 3,720 3,750 

Total Other Wastes 33,500 37,780 42,750 54,500 44,390 44,360 45,430 46,380 46,320 

Total MSW Discarded - Weight 82,510 113,040 137,120 171,970 169,720 171,790 171,040 172,020 169,170 

Percent of Total Discards 

Materials 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2004 2005 2006 2007 

Paper and Paperboard 30.2% 33.2% 31.7% 30.5% 29.6% 26.6% 25.1% 24.1% 22.3% 

Glass 8.0% 11.1% 10.5% 6.1% 5.8% 5.9% 6.2% 6.2% 6.1% 

Metals 

Ferrous 12.4% 10.8% 8.9% 6.1% 5.6% 5.7% 5.8% 6.0% 6.1% 

Aluminum 0.4% 0.7% 1.0% 1.0% 1.4% 1.5% 1.5% 1.6% 1.5% 

Other Nonferrous 0.2% 0.3% 0.5% 0.2% 0.3% 0.3% 0.3% 0.3% 0.3% 

Total Metals 13.1% 11.8% 10.4% 7.3% 7.3% 7.5% 7.7% 7.8% 8.0% 

Plastics 0.5% 2.6% 5.0% 9.7% 14.2% 16.2% 16.1% 16.1% 16.9% 

Rubber and Leather 1.8% 2.4% 3.0% 3.2% 3.5% 3.5% 3.7% 3.7% 3.8% 

Textiles 2.1% 1.8% 1.7% 3.0% 4.8% 5.4% 5.6% 5.8% 5.9% 

Wood 3.7% 3.3% 5.1% 7.0% 7.0% 7.3% 7.5% 7.4% 7.6% 

Other ** 0.1% 0.4% 1.5% 1.5% 1.8% 1.8% 1.8% 1.8% 1.9% 

Total Materials in Products 59.4% 66.6% 68.8% 68.3% 73.8% 74.2% 73.4% 73.0% 72.6% 

Other Wastes 

Food Scraps 14.8% 11.3% 9.5% 12.1% 15.4% 16.7% 17.3% 17.6% 18.2% 

Yard Trimmings 24.2% 20.5% 20.1% 17.9% 8.7% 7.0% 7.1% 7.2% 6.9% 

Miscellaneous Inorganic Wastes 1.6% 1.6% 1.6% 1.7% 2.1% 2.1% 2.2% 2.2% 2.2% 

Total Other Wastes 40.6% 33.4% 31.2% 31.7% 26.2% 25.8% 26.6% 27.0% 27.4% 

Total MSW Discarded - % 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 

* Discards after materials and compost recovery. In this table, discards include combustion with energy recovery. 

Does not include construction & demolition debris, industrial process wastes, or certain other wastes. 

** Includes electrolytes in batteries and fluff pulp, feces, and urine in disposable diapers. 

Details may not add to totals due to rounding. 

Source: Franklin Associates, A Division of ERG 

37 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chapter 2 Characterization of Municipal Solid Waste by Weight
 

Paper and Paperboard
 

Collectively, the many products made of paper and paperboard1 materials comprise the 

largest component of MSW. The paper and paperboard materials category includes products such 

as office papers, newspapers, corrugated boxes, milk cartons, tissue paper, and paper plates and 

cups (Figure 2 and Table 4). 

Figure 2. Paper and paperboard products generated in MSW, 2007 

Corrugated boxes 

Newspapers 

Commercial printing 

Office-type papers 

Folding and milk cartons 

Standard mail 

Other papers 

Tissue paper and towels 

Magazines 

Other packaging 

Bags and sacks 

Paper plates and cups 

Books 

Directories 

0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 

million tons 

Total generation of paper and paperboard in MSW has grown from 30 million tons in 

1960 to 83 million tons in 2007 (Table 1). As a percentage of total MSW generation, paper 

represented 34 percent in 1960 (Table 1). The percentage has varied over time, but is estimated 

to be 32.7 percent of total MSW generation in 2007. 

The term “cardboard” is often used for products made of paperboard (boxboard and containerboard), but this 

inexact term is not used in the paper industry. 

38 

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Chapter 2 Characterization of Municipal Solid Waste by Weight
 

Table 4 

PAPER AND PAPERBOARD PRODUCTS IN MSW, 2007 

(In thousands of tons and percent of generation) 

Generation Recovery Discards 

(Thousand (Thousand (Percent of (Thousand 

Product Category tons) tons) generation) tons) 

Nondurable Goods 

Newspapers 

Newsprint 7,840 6,160 78.6% 1,680 

Groundwood Inserts 3,140 2,380 75.8% 760 

Total Newspapers 10,980 8,540 77.8% 2,440 

Books 1,340 350 26.1% 990 

Magazines 2,550 1,010 39.6% 1,540 

Office-type Papers* 6,000 4,310 71.8% 1,690 

Telephone Directories 700 140 20.0% 560 

Standard Mail** 5,910 2,380 40.3% 3,530 

Other Commercial Printing 6,260 3,590 57.3% 2,670 

Tissue Paper and Towels 3,500 Neg. Neg. 3,500 

Paper Plates and Cups 1,310 Neg. Neg. 1,310 

Other Nonpackaging Paper*** 4,510 Neg. Neg. 4,510 

Total Paper and Paperboard 

Nondurable Goods 43,060 20,320 47.2% 22,740 

Containers and Packaging 

Corrugated Boxes 31,230 22,990 73.6% 8,240 

Milk Cartons 500 Neg. Neg. 500 

Folding Cartons 5,530 1,510 27.3% 4,020 

Other Paperboard Packaging 150 Neg. Neg. 150 

Bags and Sacks 1,140 420 36.8% 720 

Other Paper Packaging 1,390 Neg. Neg. 1,390 

Total Paper and Paperboard 

Containers and Packaging 39,940 24,920 62.4% 15,020 

Total Paper and Paperboard^ 83,000 45,240 54.5% 37,760 

* High-grade papers such as copy paper and printer paper; both residential and commercial. 

** Formerly called Third Class Mail by the U.S. Postal Service. 

*** Includes tissue in disposable diapers, paper in games and novelties, cards, etc. 

^ Table 4 does not include 10,000 tons of paper used in durable goods (Table 1).
 

Neg. = Less than 5,000 tons or 0.05 percent.
 

Details may not add to totals due to rounding.
 

Source: Franklin Associates, A Division of ERG 

39 
 

Chapter 2 Characterization of Municipal Solid Waste by Weight
 

As Figure 3 illustrates, paper generation has generally increased since 1960, peaked at 

about 88 million tons in 1999, and declined after 1999 to 83 million tons in 2007. 

Figure 3. Paper and paperboard generation and recovery, 1960 to 2007
 

0 

10 

20 

30 

40 

50 

60 

70 

80 

90 

100 

million tons 

Generation 

Recovery 

1960 1965 1970 1975 1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005
 

The sensitivity of paper products to economic conditions can be observed in Figure 3. 

The tonnage of paper generated in 1975⎯a severe recession year⎯was actually less than the 

tonnage in 1970. Similar but less pronounced declines in paper generation can be seen in other 

recession years. 

The wide variety of products that comprise the paper and paperboard materials total is 

illustrated in Table 4 and Figure 2. In this report, these products are classified as nondurable 

goods or as containers and packaging, with nondurable goods being the larger category. 

40
 
Chapter 2 Characterization of Municipal Solid Waste by Weight
 

Generation. Estimates of paper and paperboard generation are based on statistics 

published by the American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA). These statistics include data 

on new supply (production plus net imports) of the various paper and paperboard grades that go 

into the products found in MSW. The AF&PA new supply statistics are adjusted to deduct 

converting scrap, which is generated when sheets or rolls of paper or paperboard are cut to make 

products such as envelopes or boxes. Converting scrap rates vary from product to product; the 

rates used in this report were developed as part of a 1992 report for the Recycling Advisory 

Council, with a few more revisions as new data became available. Various deductions also are 

made to account for products diverted out of municipal solid waste, such as gypsum wallboard 

facings (classified as construction and demolition debris) or toilet tissue (which goes to 

wastewater treatment plants). 

Recovery. Estimates of recovery of paper and paperboard products for recycling are 

based on annual reports of recovery published by AF&PA. The AF&PA reports include recovery 

of paper and paperboard purchased by U.S. paper mills, plus exports of recovered paper, plus a 

relatively small amount estimated to have been used in other products such as insulation and 

animal bedding. Recovery as reported by AF&PA includes both preconsumer and postconsumer 

paper. 

To estimate recovery of postconsumer paper products for this EPA report, estimates of 

recovery of converting scrap (preconsumer industrial process waste) are deducted from the total 

recovery amounts reported by AF&PA. In earlier versions of this EPA report, a simplifying 

assumption that all converting scrap is recovered was made. For more recent updates, various 

converting scrap recovery rates ranging from 70 percent to 98 percent were applied to the 

estimates for 1990 through 2007. The converting scrap recovery rates were developed for a 1992 

report for the Recycling Advisory Council. Because recovered converting scrap is deducted, the 

paper recovery rates presented in this report are always lower than the total recovery rates 

published by AF&PA. 

41 
Chapter 2 Characterization of Municipal Solid Waste by Weight
 

When recovered paper is repulped, and often deinked, at a recycling paper mill, 


considerable amounts of sludge are generated in amounts varying from 5 percent to 35 percent of 

the paper feedstock. Since these sludges are generated at an industrial site, they are considered to 

be industrial process waste, not municipal solid waste; therefore they have been removed from 

the municipal waste stream. 

Recovery of paper and paperboard for recycling is among the highest rates overall 

compared to other materials in MSW (Table 2). As Table 4 shows, 73.6 percent of all corrugated 

boxes were recovered for recycling in 2007; this is up from 67.3 percent in 2000 (Table 21). 

Newspapers were recovered at a rate of 77.8 percent, and high grade office papers at 71.8 

percent, with lesser percentages of other papers being recovered also. Approximately 45 million 

tons of postconsumer paper were recovered in 2007–−54.5 percent of total paper and paperboard 

generation. This is up from 42.8 percent in 2000 (Table 2). 

Discards After Recovery. After recovery of paper and paperboard for recycling, discards 

were 37.8 million tons in 2007, or 22.3 percent of total MSW discards (Table 3). 

Glass 

Glass is found in MSW primarily in the form of containers (Table 5 and Figures 4 and 5), 

but also in durable goods like furniture, appliances, and consumer electronics. In the container 

category, glass is found in beer and soft drink bottles, wine and liquor bottles, and bottles and 

jars for food, cosmetics, and other products. More detail on these products is included in the later 

section on products in MSW. 

42 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3 4 5 6 7 8

 

 

 

 

Chapter 2 	 Characterization of Municipal Solid Waste by Weight
 

Table 5 

GLASS PRODUCTS IN MSW, 2007 

(In thousands of tons and percent of generation) 

Generation Recovery Discards 

(Thousand (Thousand (Percent of (Thousand 

Product Category tons) tons) generation) tons) 

Durable Goods* 2,110 Neg. Neg. 2,110 

Containers and Packaging 

Beer and Soft Drink Bottles 7,710 2,660 34.5% 5,050 

Wine and Liquor Bottles 1,670 250 15.0% 1,420 

Food and Other Bottles and Jars 2,090 310 14.8% 1,780 

Total Glass Containers 11,470 3,220 28.1% 8,250 

Total Glass 13,580 3,220 23.7% 10,360 

*	 Glass as a component of appliances, furniture, consumer electronics, etc. 

Neg. = Less than 5,000 tons or 0.05 percent. 

Details may not add to totals due to rounding. 

Source: Franklin Associates, A Division of ERG 

Figure 4. Glass products generated in MSW, 2007 

Wine & liquor bottles 

Durable goods 

Food, other bottles & jars 

Beer & soft drink bottles* 

* Includes carbonated drinks and non-carbonated water, teas, and flavored drinks. 0 1 2 9 

million tons 

43 
 

Chapter 2 Characterization of Municipal Solid Waste by Weight
 

Generation. Glass accounted for 6.7 million tons of MSW in 1960, or 7.6 percent of total 

generation. Generation of glass continued to grow over the next two decades, but then glass 

containers were widely displaced by other materials, principally aluminum and plastics. Thus the 

tonnage of glass in MSW declined in the 1980s, from approximately 15.1 million tons in 1980 to 

13.1 million tons in 1990. Beginning about 1987, however, the decline in generation of glass 

containers slowed (Figure 5). During the 1990s glass generation varied from 12.0 to 13.6 million 

tons per year. Between 2000 and 2007, glass generation trended upward to 13.6 million tons in 

2007, about the same as 1993. Glass was 10 percent of MSW generation in 1980, declining to 5.3 

percent in 2007. 

Figure 5. Glass generation and recovery, 1960 to 2007 

million tons 

18 

16 

14 

12 

10 

8 

6 

4 

2 

0 

Generation 

Recovery 

1960 1965 1970 1975 1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 

44 
Chapter 2 Characterization of Municipal Solid Waste by Weight
 

Recovery. Recovered glass containers (bottles) are used to make new glass containers 

and other uses such as fiberglass insulation, aggregate, and glasphalt for road construction. Until 

1998, the Glass Packaging Institute published estimates of glass bottle recovery annually. Since 

this data source is no longer available, industry and state agency sources were contacted for 

recovery data. Recovery of glass containers was estimated at 3.2 million tons in 2007, up from an 

estimated 2.9 million tons in 2006. 

Discards After Recovery. Recovery for recycling lowered discards of glass to 10.4 

million tons in 2007 or 6.1 percent of total MSW discards (Table 3). 

Ferrous Metals 

By weight, ferrous metals (iron and steel) are the largest category of metals in MSW 

(Table 6 and Figure 6). The largest quantities of ferrous metals in MSW are found in durable 

goods such as appliances, furniture, and tires. Containers and packaging are the other source of 

ferrous metals in MSW. Large quantities of ferrous metals are found in construction materials 

and in transportation parts and products such as automobiles, locomotives, and ships, but these 

are not counted as MSW in this report. 

Total generation and recovery of all metals in MSW from 1960 to 2007 are shown in 

Figure 7. 

Generation. Approximately 10.3 million tons of ferrous metals were generated in 1960. 

Like glass, the tonnages grew during the 1960s, but began to drop as lighter materials like 

aluminum and plastics replaced steel in many applications. Since 1970, generation of ferrous 

metals has varied between about 12.4 million tons in 1970 to 15.6 million tons in 2007 (Table 1). 

The percentage of ferrous metals generation in total MSW has declined from 11.7 percent in 

1960 to 6.2 percent in 2007. 

45 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chapter 2 	 Characterization of Municipal Solid Waste by Weight
 

Table 6 

METAL PRODUCTS IN MSW, 2007 

(In thousands of tons and percent of generation) 

Generation Recovery Discards 

(Thousand (Thousand (Percent of (Thousand 

Product Category tons) tons) generation) tons) 

Durable Goods 

Ferrous Metals* 12,960 3,550 27.4% 9,410 

Aluminum** 1,260 Neg. Neg. 1,260 

Lead† 1,230 1,220 99.2% 10 

Other Nonferrous Metals‡ 530 Neg. Neg. 530 

Total Metals in Durable Goods 15,980 4,770 29.8% 11,210 

Nondurable Goods 

Aluminum 220 Neg. Neg. 220 

Containers and Packaging 

Steel 

Food and Other Cans 2,440 1,570 64.3% 870 

Other Steel Packaging 240 160 66.7% 80 

Total Steel Packaging 2,680 1,730 64.6% 950 

Aluminum 

Beer and Soft Drink Cans 1,420 690 48.6% 730 

Food and Other Cans 40 Neg. Neg. 40 

Foil and Closures 410 40 9.8% 370 

Total Aluminum Packaging 1,870 730 39.0% 1,140 

Total Metals in 

Containers and Packaging 4,550 2,460 54.1% 2,090 

Total Metals 20,750 7,230 34.8% 13,520 

Ferrous 15,640 5,280 33.8% 10,360 

Aluminum 3,350 730 21.8% 2,620 

Other nonferrous 1,760 1,220 69.3% 540 

* Ferrous metals (iron and steel) in appliances, furniture, tires, and miscellaneous durables. 

** Aluminum in appliances, furniture, and miscellaneous durables. 

†	 Lead in lead-acid batteries. 

‡	 Other nonferrous metals in appliances and miscellaneous durables. 

Neg. = Less than 5,000 tons or 0.05 percent. 

Details may not add to totals due to rounding. 

Source: Franklin Associates, A Division of ERG 

46 
 

 

Chapter 2 Characterization of Municipal Solid Waste by Weight
 

Figure 6. Metal products generated in MSW, 2007 

Nondurables 

Packaging 

Durables 

Ferrous metals Aluminum Other nonferrous 

0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 

million tons 

Figure 7. Metals generation and recovery, 1960 to 2007 

0 

2 

4 

6 

8 

10 

12 

14 

16 

18 

20 

22 

million tons 

Generation 

Recovery 

1960 1965 1970 1975 1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 

47 
Chapter 2 Characterization of Municipal Solid Waste by Weight
 

Recovery. The renewed emphasis on recovery and recycling in recent years has included 

ferrous metals. Based on data from the Steel Recycling Institute, recovery of ferrous metals from 

appliances (“white goods”) was estimated at a rate of 90 percent in 2007. Recovery of all 

materials in appliances (including ferrous metals) was estimated at 67.1 percent (Table 13). 

Overall recovery of ferrous metals from durable goods (large and small appliances, furniture, and 

tires) was estimated to be 29.8 percent (4.8 million tons) in 2007 (Table 6). 

Steel food cans and other cans were estimated to be recovered at a rate of 64.3 percent 

(1.6 million tons) in 2007. Approximately 160,000 tons of other steel packaging, mostly steel 

barrels and drums, were estimated to have been recovered for recycling in 2007. Recovery of 

ferrous metals includes material collected through recycling programs as well as metal recovered 

at combustion facilities. 

Discards After Recovery. In 2007, discards of ferrous metals after recovery were 10.4 

million tons, or 6.1 percent of total discards (Table 3). 

Aluminum 

The largest source of aluminum in MSW is aluminum cans and other packaging (Table 6 

and Figure 6). Other sources of aluminum are found in durable and nondurable goods. 

Generation. In 2007, 1.9 million tons of aluminum were generated as containers and 

packaging, while approximately 1.5 million tons were found in durable and nondurable goods. 

The total–3.4 million tons–was 1.3 percent of total MSW generation in 2007 (Table 1). 

Aluminum generation was only 340,000 tons (0.4 percent of MSW generation) in 1960. 

Recovery. Aluminum beverage containers were recovered at a rate of 48.6 percent of 

generation (0.7 million tons) in 2007, and 39.0 percent of all aluminum in containers and 

packaging (beverage containers, food containers, foil, and other aluminum packaging) was 

recovered for recycling in 2007. 

48 
Chapter 2 Characterization of Municipal Solid Waste by Weight
 

Discards After Recovery. In 2007, about 2.6 million tons of aluminum were discarded in 

MSW after recovery, which was 1.5 percent of total MSW discards (Table 3). 

Other Nonferrous Metals 

Other nonferrous metals (e.g., lead, copper, zinc) are found in durable products such as 

appliances, consumer electronics, etc. Lead in lead-acid batteries is the most prevalent nonferrous 

metal (other than aluminum) in MSW. Note that only lead-acid batteries from passenger cars, 

trucks, and motorcycles are included. Lead-acid batteries used in large equipment or industrial 

applications are not included. 

Generation. Generation of other nonferrous metals in MSW totaled 1.8 million tons in 

2007. Lead in batteries accounted for 1.2 million tons of this amount. Generation of these metals 

has increased slowly, up from 180,000 tons in 1960, 1.1 million tons in 1990, and 1.6 million 

tons in 2000. As a percentage of total generation, nonferrous metals have never exceeded one 

percent. 

Recovery. Recovery of the other nonferrous metals was 1.2 million tons in 2007, with 

most of this being lead recovered from batteries. It was estimated that 99 percent of battery lead 

was recovered in 2007. 

Discards After Recovery. In 2007, 540,000 tons of nonferrous metals were discarded in 

MSW. Percentages of total discards remained less than one percent over the entire period. 

Plastics 

Plastics are a rapidly growing segment of MSW. While plastics are found in all major 

MSW categories, the containers and packaging category (bags, sacks, and wraps, other 

packaging, other containers, and soft drink, milk, and water containers) has the most plastic 

tonnage (Figure 8 and Table 7). 

49 
 

 

 

Chapter 2 Characterization of Municipal Solid Waste by Weight
 

Figure 8. Plastics products generated in MSW, 2007 

Durable goods 

Nondurable goods 

Bags, sacks and wraps 

Other packaging 

Other containers 

Soft drink, milk, and water 

containers 

0 2 4 6 8 10 

million tons 

In durable goods, plastics are found in appliances, furniture, casings of lead-acid batteries, 

and other products. (Note that plastics in transportation products other than lead-acid batteries are 

not included in this report.) As shown in Table 7, a wide range of resin types is found in durable 

goods. While some detail is provided in Table 7 for resins in durable goods, there are hundreds 

of different resin formulations used in appliances, carpets, and other durable goods; a complete 

listing is beyond the scope of this report. 

50 

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Chapter 2 Characterization of Municipal Solid Waste by Weight
 

Table 7
 

PLASTICS IN PRODUCTS IN MSW, 2007
 

(In thousands of tons, and percent of generation by resin)
 

Generation Recovery Discards 

(Thousand (Thousand (Percent (Thousand 

Product Category tons) tons) of Gen.) tons) 

Durable Goods 

PET 570 

HDPE 780 

PVC 620 

LDPE/LLDPE 920 

PP 1,630 

PS 890 

Other resins 5,010 

Total Plastics in Durable Goods 10,420 500 4.8% 9,920 

Nondurable Goods 

Plastic Plates and Cups 

LDPE/LLDPE 20 20 

PS 840 Neg. 840 

Subtotal Plastic Plates and Cups 860 860 

Trash Bags 

HDPE 290 290 

LDPE/LLDPE 780 780 

Subtotal Trash Bags 1,070 1,070 

All other nondurables* 

PET 230 230 

HDPE 430 430 

PVC 630 630 

LDPE/LLDPE 1,680 1,680 

PP 900 900 

PS 590 590 

Other resins 290 290 

Subtotal All Other Nondurables 4,750 4,750 

Total Plastics in Nondurable Goods, by resin 

PET 230 230 

HDPE 720 720 

PVC 630 630 

LDPE/LLDPE 2,480 2,480 

PP 900 900 

PS 1,430 1,430 

Other resins 290 290 

Total Plastics in Nondurable Goods 6,680 Neg. Neg. 6,680 

Plastic Containers & Packaging 

Soft drink bottles 

PET 1,010 370 36.6% 640 

Milk and water bottles 

HDPE 820 230 28.0% 590 

HDPE = High density polyethylene PET = Polyethylene terephthalate PS = Polystyrene 

LDPE = Low density polyethylene PP = Polypropylene PVC = Polyvinyl chloride 

LLDPE = Linear low density polyethylene 

* All other nondurables include plastics in disposable diapers, clothing, footwear, etc. 

** Other plastic packaging includes coatings, closures, caps, trays, shapes, etc. 

Details may not add to totals due to rounding. Neg. = less than 5,000 tons or 0.05 percent
 

Source: Franklin Associates, A Division of ERG
 

51 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chapter 2 Characterization of Municipal Solid Waste by Weight
 

Table 7 (continued)
 

PLASTICS IN PRODUCTS IN MSW, 2007
 

(In thousands of tons, and percent of generation by resin)
 

Generation Recovery Discards 

(Thousand (Thousand (Percent (Thousand 

Product Category tons) tons) of Gen.) tons) 

Plastic Containers & Packaging, cont. 

Other plastic containers 

PET 1,730 270 15.6% 1,460 

HDPE 1,410 240 17.0% 1,170 

PVC 60 Neg. 60 

LDPE/LLDPE 40 Neg. 40 

PP 420 10 2.4% 410 

PS 0 0 

Other resins 80 80 

Subtotal Other Containers 3,740 520 13.9% 3,220 

Bags, sacks, & wraps 

HDPE 590 70 11.9% 520 

PVC 80 80 

LDPE/LLDPE 2,490 310 12.4% 2,180 

PP 800 800 

PS 0 0 

Other resins 230 230 

Subtotal Bags, Sacks, & Wraps 4,190 380 9.1% 3,810 

Other Plastics Packaging** 

PET 220 40 18.2% 180 

HDPE 1,330 30 2.3% 1,300 

PVC 270 Neg. 270 

LDPE/LLDPE 470 Neg. 470 

PP 820 Neg. 820 

PS 300 20 6.7% 280 

Other resins 460 460 

Subtotal Other Packaging 3,870 90 2.3% 3,780 

Total Plastics in Containers & Packaging, by resin 

PET 2,960 680 23.0% 2,280 

HDPE 4,150 570 13.7% 3,580 

PVC 410 410 

LDPE/LLDPE 3,000 310 10.3% 2,690 

PP 2,040 10 0.5% 2,030 

PS 300 20 6.7% 280 

Other resins 770 770 

Total Plastics in Cont. & Packaging 13,630 1,590 11.7% 12,040 

Total Plastics in MSW, by resin 

PET 3,760 680 18.1% 3,080 

HDPE 5,650 570 10.1% 5,080 

PVC 1,660 1,660 

LDPE/LLDPE 6,400 310 4.8% 6,090 

PP 4,570 10 0.2% 4,560 

PS 2,620 20 0.8% 2,600 

Other resins 6,070 500 8.2% 5,570 

Total Plastics in MSW 30,730 2,090 6.8% 28,640 

HDPE = High density polyethylene PET = Polyethylene terephthalate PS = Polystyrene 

LDPE = Low density polyethylene PP = Polypropylene PVC = Polyvinyl chloride 

LLDPE = Linear low density polyethylene 

* All other nondurables include plastics in disposable diapers, clothing, footwear, etc. 

** Other plastic packaging includes coatings, closures, caps, trays, shapes, etc. 

Some detail of recovery by resin omitted due to lack of data. Neg. = less than 5,000 tons or 0.05 percent
 

Source: Franklin Associates, A Division of ERG
 

52 
Chapter 2 Characterization of Municipal Solid Waste by Weight
 

Plastics are found in such nondurable products as disposable diapers, trash bags, cups, 

eating utensils, medical devices, and household items such as shower curtains. The plastic food 

service items are generally made of clear or foamed polystyrene, while trash bags are made of 

high-density polyethylene (HDPE) or low-density polyethylene (LDPE). A wide variety of other 

resins are used in other nondurable goods. 

Plastic resins are also used in a variety of container and packaging products such as 

polyethylene terephthalate (PET) soft drink bottles, high-density polyethylene (HDPE) bottles for 

milk and water, and a wide variety of other resin types used in other plastic containers, bags, 

sacks, wraps, and lids. 

Generation. Production data on plastics resin use in products are taken from the 

American Chemistry Council’s annual resin reports. The basic data are adjusted for product 

service life, fabrication losses, and net imports of plastic products to derive generation of plastics 

in the various products in MSW. 

Plastics made up an estimated 390,000 tons of MSW generation in 1960. The quantity has 

increased relatively steadily to 30.7 million tons in 2007 (Figure 9). As a percentage of MSW 

generation, plastics were less than one percent in 1960, increasing to 12.1 percent in 2007. 

Recovery for Recycling. While overall recovery of plastics for recycling is relatively 

small – 2.1 million tons, or 6.8 percent of plastics generation in 2007 (Table 7) – recovery of 

some plastic containers is more significant. PET soft drink bottles (including water bottles) were 

recovered at a rate of 36.6 percent in 2007. Recovery of high-density polyethylene milk and 

water bottles was estimated at about 28.0 percent in 2007. Significant recovery of plastics from 

lead-acid battery casings and from some other containers was also reported. The primary sources 

of data on plastics recovery are annual product recovery surveys conducted for the American 

Chemistry Council and the National Association for PET Container Resources (NAPCOR). 

53 
 

Chapter 2 Characterization of Municipal Solid Waste by Weight
 

Discards After Recovery. Discards of plastics in MSW after recovery were 28.6 million 

tons, or 16.9 percent of total MSW discards in 2007 (Table 3). 

Figure 9. Plastics generation and recovery, 1960 to 2007
 

0 

4 

8 

12 

16 

20 

24 

28 

32 

million tons

Generation 

Recovery 

1960 1965 1970 1975 1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005
 

Other Materials 

Rubber and Leather. The predominant source of rubber in MSW is rubber tires from 

automobiles and trucks (Table 8). Other sources of rubber and leather include clothing and 

footwear and other miscellaneous durable and nondurable products. These other sources are quite 

diverse, including such items as gaskets on appliances, furniture, and hot water bottles, for 

example. 

54
 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chapter 2 Characterization of Municipal Solid Waste by Weight
 

Generation. Generation of rubber and leather in MSW has shown slow growth over the 

years, increasing from 1.8 million tons in 1960 to 7.5 million tons in 2007. One reason for the 

relatively slow rate of growth is that tires have been made smaller and longer-wearing than in 

earlier years. 

As a percentage of total MSW generation, rubber and leather has been about 3 percent for 

many years. 

Recovery for Recycling. The only recovery for recycling identified in this category is 

rubber from tires, and that was estimated to be 1.1 million tons in 2007. This is 34.8 percent of 

rubber in tires in 2007. (Table 8). (This recovery estimate does not include tires retreaded or 

energy recovery from tires.) Overall, 14.7 percent of rubber and leather in MSW was recovered 

in 2007. 

Table 8 

RUBBER AND LEATHER PRODUCTS IN MSW, 2007 

(In thousands of tons and percent of generation) 

Generation Recovery Discards 

(Thousand (Thousand (Percent of (Thousand 

Product Category tons) tons) generation) tons) 

Durable Goods 

Rubber in Tires* 3,160 1,100 34.8% 2,060 

Other Durables** 3,320 Neg. Neg. 3,320 

Total Rubber & Leather 

Durable Goods 6,480 1,100 17.0% 5,380 

Nondurable Goods 

Clothing and Footwear 690 Neg. Neg. 690
 

Other Nondurables 280 Neg. Neg. 280
 

Total Rubber & Leather 

Nondurable Goods 970 Neg. Neg. 970 

Containers and Packaging 30 Neg. Neg. 30 

Total Rubber & Leather 7,480 1,100 14.7% 6,380 

* Automobile and truck tires. Does not include other materials in tires. 

** Includes carpets and rugs and other miscellaneous durables. 

Neg. = Less than 5,000 tons or 0.05 percent. 

Details may not add to totals due to rounding. 

Source: Franklin Associates, A Division of ERG 

55 
Chapter 2 Characterization of Municipal Solid Waste by Weight
 

Discards After Recovery. Discards of rubber and leather after recovery were 6.4 million 

tons in 2007 (3.8 percent of total discards). 

Textiles. Textiles in MSW are found mainly in discarded clothing, although other sources 

were identified to be furniture, carpets, tires, footwear, and other nondurable goods such as 

sheets and towels. 

Generation. An estimated 11.9 million tons of textiles were generated in 2007 or 4.7 

percent of total MSW generation (Table 1). Significant amounts of textiles enter the reuse 

market. However, the reused garments and wiper rags re-enter the waste stream eventually 

becoming part of MSW generation. Since reuse occurs prior to generation, the amount of reused 

textiles is not included in the generation estimates (or estimated separately). 

Recovery for Recycling and Discards. It was estimated that 17.3 percent of textiles in 

clothing and items such as sheets and pillowcases was recovered for export or reprocessing in 

2007 (1.4 million tons). The recovery rate for all textiles is 15.9 percent in 2007 (1.9 million 

tons) (Table 2). 

Wood 

The sources of wood in MSW include furniture, other durable goods (e.g., cabinets for 

electronic equipment), wood packaging (crates, pallets), and some other miscellaneous products. 

Generation and recovery methodologies for wood pallets are based on data from the Center for 

Forest Products Marketing and Management (Virginia Polytechnic Institute). 

Generation. Generation of wood in MSW was 14.2 million tons in 2007 (5.6 percent of 

total MSW generation). 

56 
Chapter 2 Characterization of Municipal Solid Waste by Weight
 

Recovery for Recycling and Discards. Wood pallet recovery for recycling (usually by 

chipping for uses such as mulch or bedding material, but excluding wood combusted as fuel) was 

estimated at 1.3 million tons in 2007. 

Accounting for recovery for recycling, wood discards were 12.9 million tons in 2007, or 

7.6 percent of total MSW discards (Table 3). 

Other materials. Generation of “other materials” waste is mainly associated with 

disposable diapers, which are discussed under Products in Municipal Solid Waste. The only other 

significant sources of materials in this category are the electrolytes and other materials associated 

with lead-acid batteries that are not classified as plastics or nonferrous metal. 

Food Scraps 

Food scraps included here consist of uneaten food and food preparation wastes from 

residences, commercial establishments such as grocery stores and sit-down and fast food 

restaurants, institutional sources such as school cafeterias, and industrial sources such as factory 

lunchrooms. Preconsumer food waste generated during the preparation and packaging of food 

products is considered industrial waste and therefore not included in MSW food scrap estimates. 

Generation. No production data are available for food scraps. Food scraps from 

residential and commercial sources were estimated using data from sampling studies in various 

parts of the country in combination with demographic data on population, grocery store sales, 

restaurant sales, numbers of employees, and numbers of prisoners, students, and patients in 

institutions. Generation of food scraps was estimated to be 31.7 million tons in 2007 (12.5 

percent of total generation) (Table 1). 

Significant amounts of food products are donated by residents and commercial 

establishments (such as grocery stores) to local food banks and charities. A good portion of these 

food donations (in particular, the commercial establishment donations) represents waste 

57 
 

 

 

 

Chapter 2 Characterization of Municipal Solid Waste by Weight
 

diversion by removing food scraps that would otherwise need to be managed either through 

composting or disposal. This diversion takes place prior to generation and therefore is not 

included in the generation estimates presented in this report. 

Recovery for Composting and Discards. Beginning in 1994 for this series of reports, a 

significant amount of food scraps composting from commercial sources was identified. As the 

data source (a survey published by BioCycle magazine) improved, it became apparent that some 

other composted materials (e.g., industrial food processing wastes) had been included with food 

scraps classified as MSW in the past. Beginning in 2004, BioCycle staff conducted more targeted 

data gathering of MSW food waste composting from primary sources including state solid waste 

officials, large-scale municipal and commercial composting facilities, and large generators (e.g., 

supermarkets and restaurants). 

The targeted data gathering of MSW food scrap composting operations resulted in an 

estimate of 410,000 tons food scraps composted in 2007. A separate BioCycle publication 

estimated 400,000 tons of MSW composted in 2007. MSW composting includes the composting 

of food scraps as well as other organic materials found in MSW. The total – 810,000 tons of food 

scraps and other organic materials composted in 2007 – is shown in the recovery tables. 

Yard Trimmings 

Yard trimmings2

 include grass, leaves, and tree and brush trimmings from residential, 

institutional, and commercial sources. 

Generation. In earlier versions of this report, generation of yard trimmings was estimated 

using sampling studies and population data. While in past years generation of yard trimmings had 

been increasing steadily as population and residential housing grew (i.e., constant generation on a 

Although limited data are available on the composition of yard trimmings, it is estimated that the average 

composition by weight is about 50 percent grass, 25 percent brush, and 25 percent leaves. These are “ballpark” 

numbers that will vary widely according to climate and region of the country. 

58 

2 
Chapter 2 Characterization of Municipal Solid Waste by Weight
 

per capita basis), in the 1990s local and state governments started enacting legislation that 

discouraged yard trimmings disposal in landfills. 

Legislation affecting yard trimmings disposal in landfills was tabulated, using published 

sources. In 1992, 11 states and the District of Columbia–accounting for more than 28 percent of 

the nation’s population–had legislation in effect that bans or discourages yard trimmings disposal 

in landfills. The tabulation of current legislation shows 21 states and the District of Columbia, 

representing about 50 percent of the nation’s population, has legislation affecting disposal of yard 

trimmings. This has led to an increase in backyard composting and the use of mulching mowers 

to allow grass trimmings to remain in place. 

Using these facts, it was estimated that yard trimmings generation has declined since 

1990. In the absence of significant new legislation, yard trimmings generation has been 

increasing slightly in recent years (i.e., increasing as natural population and residential dwelling 

units increase). An estimated 32.6 million tons of yard trimmings were generated in MSW in 

2007. 

Recovery for Composting and Discards. Recovery for composting of yard trimmings 

was estimated using information from state composting programs that estimated tonnages 

composted or mulched in 2007. Analysis of this information resulted in an estimate of 20.9 

million tons of yard trimmings removed for composting or mulching in 2007 – a significant 

increase over the 2000 estimate of 15.8 million tons. 

It should be noted that the estimated 20.9 million tons recovered for composting in 2007 

does not include yard trimmings recovered for direct landspreading disposal. It also should be 

noted that these recovery estimates do not account for backyard composting by individuals and 

practices such as less bagging of grass clippings. These are source reduction activities taking 

place onsite, while the yard trimmings recovery estimates are based on material sent off-site. 

59 
Chapter 2 Characterization of Municipal Solid Waste by Weight
 

Miscellaneous Inorganic Wastes 

This relatively small category of MSW is derived from sampling studies. It is not well 

defined and often shows up in sampling reports as “fines” or “other.” It includes soil, bits of 

concrete, stones, and the like. 

Generation, Recovery, and Discards. This category contributed an estimated 3.8 

million tons of MSW in 2007. No recovery of these products was identified; discards are the 

same as generation. 

Summary of Materials in Municipal Solid Waste 

Generation. Changing quantities and composition of municipal solid waste generation 

are illustrated in Figure 10. Generation of MSW has grown relatively steadily, from 88.1 million 

tons in 1960 to 254.1 million tons in 2007. 

Over the years paper and paperboard has been the dominant material category generated 

in MSW, accounting for 83 million tons (32.7 percent of generation) in 2007. Yard trimmings, 

the second largest material component of MSW at 32.6 million tons (12.8 percent of MSW 

generation) has declined as a percentage of MSW due to state and local legislated landfill bans 

and increased emphasis on backyard composting and other source reduction measures such as the 

use of mulching mowers. 

Metals account for 20.8 million tons (8.2 percent of MSW generation) and have remained 

fairly constant as a source of MSW since 1990. Glass increased until the 1980s, decreasing 

somewhat in the 1990s. Glass generation was 13.6 million tons in 2007, 5.3 percent of 

generation. Food scraps have increased in terms of MSW tonnage and percentage of total MSW 

(31.7 million tons and 12.5 percent of generation in 2007). Plastics have increasingly been used 

in a variety of products and thus have been a rapidly growing component of MSW. In terms of 

60 
 

 

Chapter 2 Characterization of Municipal Solid Waste by Weight
 

tonnage contributed they ranked fourth in 2007 (behind paper, yard trimmings, and food scraps) 

at 30.7 million tons, and account for 12.1 percent of MSW generation. 

Figure 10. Generation of materials in MSW, 1960 to 2007 

million tons 

250 

200 

150 

100 

50 

0 

* "All Other" includes primarily wood, rubber and leather, and textiles. 

All other* 

Yard 

Food 

Plastics 

Metals 

Glass 

Paper 

1960 1965 1970 1975 1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 

Recovery and Discards. The effect of recovery on MSW discards is illustrated in Figure 

11. Recovery of materials for recycling and composting grew at a rather slow pace from 1960 to 

the 1980s, increasing only from 5.6 million tons (6.4 percent of generation) in 1960 to 14.5 

million tons (9.6 percent) in 1980. Renewed interest in recycling (including composting) as waste 

management alternatives came about in the late 1980s, and the recovery rate in 1990 was 

estimated to be 16.2 percent of generation (33.2 million tons), increasing to 69.3 million tons 

(29.0 percent) in 2000, and 85 million tons (33.4 percent of generation) in 2007. 

61 
 

 

Chapter 2 Characterization of Municipal Solid Waste by Weight
 

Figure 11. Recovery and discards of materials in MSW, 1960 to 2007 

million tons 

250 

200 

150 

100 

50 

0 

Generation 

Recovery 

Discards including 

energy recovery 

combustion with 

Generation minus recovery = discards 

1960 1965 1970 1975 1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 

Estimated recovery of materials (including composting) is shown in Figure 12. In 2007, 

recovery of paper and paperboard dominated materials recovery at 53 percent of total tonnage 

recovered, while yard trimmings contributed 25 percent of total recovery. Recovery of other 

materials, while generally increasing, contributes much less tonnage, reflecting in part the 

relatively smaller amounts of materials generated in those categories. 

62 
 

 

 

Chapter 2 Characterization of Municipal Solid Waste by Weight
 

Figure 12. Materials recovery,* 2007 

All other 

Paper & paperboard 

53% 

Yard trimmings 

25% 

Metals 

9% 

Plastics 

2% 

Glass 

4% 

7% 

* In percent by weight of total recovery 

Figure 13 illustrates the effect of recovery of materials for recycling, including 

composting, on the composition of MSW discards. For example, paper and paperboard products 

were 32.7 percent of MSW generated in 2007, but after recovery, paper and paperboard products 

were 22.4 percent of discards. Materials that have little or no recovery exhibit a larger percentage 

of MSW discards compared to generation. For example, plastic products were 12.1 percent of 

MSW generated in 2007 and, after recovery, were 16.9 percent of discards. 

63 
 

 

 

 

 

 

1 6.4% 

Pape r & pape rbo ard 

32 .7% 

Yard trimm ings 

1 2.8% 

F ood wastes Glass 

1 2.5% 5 .3 % 

Metals 

Chapter 2 Characterization of Municipal Solid Waste by Weight
 

Figure 13. Materials generated and discarded*
 

in municipal solid waste, 2007
 

(In percent of total generation and discards)
 

Other wastes 

Plastics 8.2% 

12 .1% 

Generation 

Other wastes Paper & paperboard 

16.9% 

Discards 

* Discards in this figure include combustion with energy recovery. 

2 2.4 % 

Glas s 

6.1% 

Me tals 

8.0 % 

Plastics 

Foo d waste s 

18 .2% 

Yard trim ming s 

6.9 % 

21 .5% 

64 
Chapter 2 Characterization of Municipal Solid Waste by Weight
 

The Chapter 2 section above gave a breakdown of municipal solid waste by material. It 

described how the 254.1 million tons of MSW were generated, recycled (including composted) 

and disposed of. The following section breaks out the same 254.1 million tons of MSW by 

product. 

PRODUCTS IN MUNICIPAL SOLID WASTE 

The purpose of this section is to show how the products that make up municipal solid 

waste are generated, recycled (including composted) and discarded. For the analysis, products are 

divided into three basic categories: durable goods, nondurable goods, and containers and 

packaging. These three categories generally follow the definitions of the U.S. Department of 

Commerce, one of EPA’s data sources. By these definitions, durable goods, (e.g., appliances) are 

those that last 3 years or more, while nondurable goods (e.g., newspapers and trash bags) last less 

than 3 years. For this report, containers and packaging are assumed to be discarded the same year 

the products they contain are purchased. 

The following 15 tables (Tables 9 through 23) show generation, recycling (including 

composting) and discards of municipal solid waste in the three categories−durable goods, 

nondurable goods, and containers and packaging. Within these three categories, products are 

listed by type – for instance, carpets and rugs, office paper, or aluminum cans. The material the 

product is made of may be stated as well (for instance, glass beverage containers or steel cans), or 

may be obvious (for instance, magazines are made of paper.) Some products, such as tires and 

appliances, are made of several different material types. 

At the bottom of each of these 15 tables (Tables 9 through 23) there is a section titled 

“Other Wastes.” This contains information on food scraps, yard trimmings, and miscellaneous 

inorganic wastes. These wastes are not products that can be estimated through the materials flow 

methodology, but they are estimated by other means, as described earlier. 

65 
Chapter 2 Characterization of Municipal Solid Waste by Weight
 

Within Tables 9 through 23, the first three tables – Tables 9 through 11 – serve as an 

index to the other tables. Table 9 shows what tables to consult for detailed information on 

generation; Table 10 shows what tables to consult for detailed information on recovery; and 

Table 11 does the same for detailed information on discards. The tables on generation all have 

the same “bottom line” – 254.14 million tons in 2007 – with detail provided in different 

categories – durable goods, nondurable goods, or containers and packaging. For Table 10 and 

related tables, the “bottom line” is MSW is recovered – 84.97 million tons; and for Table 11 and 

related tables, the “bottom line” is MSW discarded – 169.17 million tons. The “bottom line” for 

each of the quantity tables is calculated by adding the major category subtotal lines. 

Durable Goods 

Durable goods generally are defined as products having a lifetime of three years or more, 

although there are some exceptions. In this report, durable goods include large and small 

appliances, furniture and furnishings, carpets and rugs, rubber tires, lead-acid automotive 

batteries, consumer electronics, and other miscellaneous durable goods (e.g., luggage, sporting 

goods, miscellaneous household goods) (see Tables 12 through 14). These products are often 

called “oversize and bulky” in municipal solid waste management practice and they are generally 

handled in a somewhat different manner than other components of MSW. That is, they are often 

picked up separately, and may not be mixed with other MSW at the landfill, combustor, or other 

waste management facility. Durable goods are made up of a wide variety of materials. In order of 

tonnage in MSW in 2007, these include: ferrous metals, plastics, rubber and leather, wood, 

textiles, glass, other nonferrous metals (e.g., lead, copper), and aluminum. 

Generation of durable goods in MSW totaled 45.4 million tons in 2007 (17.9 percent of 

total MSW generation). After recovery for recycling, 37.4 million tons of durable goods 

remained as discards in 2007. 

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Chapter 2 Characterization of Municipal Solid Waste by Weight
 

Table 9 

CATEGORIES OF PRODUCTS GENERATED* IN THE MUNICIPAL WASTE STREAM, 1960 TO 2007 

(In thousands of tons and percent of total generation) 

Thousands of Tons 

Products 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2004 2005 2006 2007 

Durable Goods 9,920 14,660 21,800 29,810 38,850 43,280 44,400 44,890 45,420 

(Detail in Table 12) 

Nondurable Goods 17,330 25,060 34,420 52,170 64,010 64,380 63,650 64,310 62,240 

(Detail in Table 15) 

Containers and Packaging 27,370 43,560 52,670 64,530 75,350 77,290 76,400 77,820 78,450 

(Detail in Table 18) 

Total Product** Wastes 54,620 83,280 108,890 146,510 178,210 184,950 184,450 187,020 186,110 

Other Wastes 

Food Scraps 12,200 12,800 13,000 20,800 26,810 29,410 30,220 31,040 31,650 

Yard Trimmings 20,000 23,200 27,500 35,000 30,530 31,770 32,070 32,400 32,630 

Miscellaneous Inorganic Wastes 1,300 1,780 2,250 2,900 3,500 3,650 3,690 3,720 3,750 

Total Other Wastes 33,500 37,780 42,750 58,700 60,840 64,830 65,980 67,160 68,030 

Total MSW Generated - Weight 88,120 121,060 151,640 205,210 239,050 249,780 250,430 254,180 254,140 

Percent of Total Generation 

Products 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2004 2005 2006 2007 

Durable Goods 11.3% 12.1% 14.4% 14.5% 16.3% 17.3% 17.7% 17.7% 17.9% 

(Detail in Table 12) 

Nondurable Goods 19.7% 20.7% 22.7% 25.4% 26.8% 25.8% 25.4% 25.3% 24.5% 

(Detail in Table 15) 

Containers and Packaging 31.1% 36.0% 34.7% 31.4% 31.5% 30.9% 30.5% 30.6% 30.9% 

(Detail in Table 19) 

Total Product** Wastes 62.0% 68.8% 71.8% 71.4% 74.5% 74.0% 73.7% 73.6% 73.2% 

Other Wastes 

Food Scraps 13.8% 10.6% 8.6% 10.1% 11.2% 11.8% 12.1% 12.2% 12.5% 

Yard Trimmings 22.7% 19.2% 18.1% 17.1% 12.8% 12.7% 12.8% 12.7% 12.8% 

Miscellaneous Inorganic Wastes 1.5% 1.5% 1.5% 1.4% 1.5% 1.5% 1.5% 1.5% 1.5% 

Total Other Wastes 38.0% 31.2% 28.2% 28.6% 25.5% 26.0% 26.3% 26.4% 26.8% 

Total MSW Generated - % 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 

* Generation before materials recovery or combustion. Does not include construction & demolition debris, industrial 

process wastes, or certain other wastes. 

** Other than food products. 

Details may not add to totals due to rounding. 

Source: Franklin Associates, A Division of ERG 

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Chapter 2 Characterization of Municipal Solid Waste by Weight
 

Table 10
 

RECOVERY* OF MUNICIPAL SOLID WASTE, 1960 TO 2007
 

(In thousands of tons and percent of generation of each category)
 

Thousands of Tons 

Products 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2004 2005 2006 2007 

Durable Goods 350 940 1,360 3,460 6,580 7,750 7,880 7,990 7,990 

(Detail in Table 13) 

Nondurable Goods 2,390 3,730 4,670 8,800 17,560 19,420 19,770 21,050 21,760 

(Detail in Table 16) 

Containers and Packaging 2,870 3,350 8,490 16,780 28,740 30,350 31,190 32,340 33,510 

(Detail in Table 20) 

Total Product** Wastes 5,610 8,020 14,520 29,040 52,880 57,520 58,840 61,380 63,260 

Other Wastes 

Food, Other^ Neg. Neg. Neg. Neg. 680 660 690 680 810 

Yard Trimmings Neg. Neg. Neg. 4,200 15,770 19,810 19,860 20,100 20,900 

Miscellaneous Inorganic Wastes Neg. Neg. Neg. Neg. Neg. Neg. Neg. Neg. Neg. 

Total Other Wastes Neg. Neg. Neg. 4,200 16,450 20,470 20,550 20,780 21,710 

Total MSW Recovered - Weight 5,610 8,020 14,520 33,240 69,330 77,990 79,390 82,160 84,970 

Percent of Generation of Each Category 

Products 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2004 2005 2006 2007 

Durable Goods 3.5% 6.4% 6.2% 11.6% 16.9% 17.9% 17.7% 17.8% 17.6% 

(Detail in Table 13) 

Nondurable Goods 13.8% 14.9% 13.6% 16.9% 27.4% 30.2% 31.1% 32.7% 35.0% 

(Detail in Table 16) 

Containers and Packaging 10.5% 7.7% 16.1% 26.0% 38.1% 39.3% 40.8% 41.6% 42.7% 

(Detail in Table 21) 

Total Product** Wastes 10.3% 9.6% 13.3% 19.8% 29.7% 31.1% 31.9% 32.8% 34.0% 

Other Wastes 

Food, Other^ Neg. Neg. Neg. Neg. 2.5% 2.2% 2.3% 2.2% 2.6% 

Yard Trimmings Neg. Neg. Neg. 12.0% 51.7% 62.4% 61.9% 62.0% 64.1% 

Miscellaneous Inorganic Wastes Neg. Neg. Neg. Neg. Neg. Neg. Neg. Neg. Neg. 

Total Other Wastes Neg. Neg. Neg. 7.2% 27.0% 31.6% 31.1% 30.9% 31.9% 

Total MSW Recovered - % 6.4% 6.6% 9.6% 16.2% 29.0% 31.2% 31.7% 32.3% 33.4% 

* Recovery of postconsumer wastes; does not include converting/fabrication scrap. 

** Other than food products. 

^ Includes recovery of paper for composting. 

Details may not add to totals due to rounding. Neg. = Less than 5,000 tons or 0.05 percent. 

Source: Franklin Associates, A Division of ERG 

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Chapter 2 Characterization of Municipal Solid Waste by Weight
 

Table 11 

CATEGORIES OF PRODUCTS DISCARDED* IN THE MUNICIPAL WASTE STREAM, 1960 TO 2007 

(In thousands of tons and percent of total discards) 

Thousands of Tons 

Products 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2004 2005 2006 2007 

Durable Goods 9,570 13,720 20,440 26,350 32,270 35,530 36,520 36,900 37,430 

(Detail in Table 14) 

Nondurable Goods 14,940 21,330 29,750 43,370 46,450 44,960 43,880 43,260 40,480 

(Detail in Table 17) 

Containers and Packaging 24,500 40,210 44,180 47,750 46,610 46,940 45,210 45,480 44,940 

(Detail in Table 22) 

Total Product** Wastes 49,010 75,260 94,370 117,470 125,330 127,430 125,610 125,640 122,850 

Other Wastes 

Food Wastes 12,200 12,800 13,000 20,800 26,130 28,750 29,530 30,360 30,840 

Yard Trimmings 20,000 23,200 27,500 30,800 14,760 11,960 12,210 12,300 11,730 

Miscellaneous Inorganic Wastes 1,300 1,780 2,250 2,900 3,500 3,650 3,690 3,720 3,750 

Total Other Wastes 33,500 37,780 42,750 54,500 44,390 44,360 45,430 46,380 46,320 

Total MSW Discarded - Weight 82,510 113,040 137,120 171,970 169,720 171,790 171,040 172,020 169,170 

Percent of Total Discards 

Products 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2004 2005 2006 2007 

Durable Goods 11.6% 12.1% 14.9% 15.3% 19.0% 20.7% 21.4% 21.5% 22.1% 

(Detail in Table 14) 

Nondurable Goods 18.1% 18.9% 21.7% 25.2% 27.4% 26.2% 25.7% 25.1% 23.9% 

(Detail in Table 17) 

Containers and Packaging 29.7% 35.6% 32.2% 27.8% 27.5% 27.3% 26.4% 26.4% 26.6% 

(Detail in Table 23) 

Total Product** Wastes 59.4% 66.6% 68.8% 68.3% 73.8% 74.2% 73.4% 73.0% 72.6% 

Other Wastes 

Food Scraps 14.8% 11.3% 9.5% 12.1% 15.4% 16.7% 17.3% 17.6% 18.2% 

Yard Trimmings 24.2% 20.5% 20.1% 17.9% 8.7% 7.0% 7.1% 7.2% 6.9% 

Miscellaneous Inorganic Wastes 1.6% 1.6% 1.6% 1.7% 2.1% 2.1% 2.2% 2.2% 2.2% 

Total Other Wastes 40.6% 33.4% 31.2% 31.7% 26.2% 25.8% 26.6% 27.0% 27.4% 

Total MSW Discarded - % 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 

* Discards after materials and compost recovery. In this table, discards include combustion with energy recovery. 

Does not include construction & demolition debris, industrial process wastes, or certain other wastes. 

** Other than food products. 

Details may not add to totals due to rounding. 

Source: Franklin Associates, A Division of ERG 

69 
Chapter 2 Characterization of Municipal Solid Waste by Weight
 

Major Appliances. Major appliances in MSW include refrigerators, washing machines, 

water heaters, etc. They are often called “white goods” in the trade. Data on unit production of 

appliances are taken from Appliance Manufacturer Market Profile, Appliance Manufacturer 

Shipments Forecasts, and Appliance Statistical Review. The unit data are converted to weight 

using various conversion factors developed over the years, plus data on the materials 

composition of the appliances. Adjustments are also made for the estimated lifetimes of the 

appliances, which range up to 20 years. 

Generation of major appliances has increased very slowly over the years, and in fact was 

about constant for the past 7 years. In 2007, generation was 3.6 million tons, or 1.4 percent of 

total MSW generation. In general, the number of units of appliances has increased but average 

weight per unit has decreased over the years. Ferrous metals (steel and iron) are the predominant 

materials in major appliances, but other metals, plastics, glass, and other materials are also 

present. 

Data on recovery of ferrous metals from major appliances are taken from a survey 

conducted by the Steel Recycling Institute. Recovery of ferrous metals from shredded appliances 

was estimated to be 2.4 million tons in 2007, leaving 1.2 million tons of appliances to be 

discarded. 

Small Appliances. This category includes items such as toasters, hair dryers, electric 

coffee pots, and the like. Information on shipments of small appliances was obtained from 

Department of Commerce data and Appliance Statistical Review. Information on weights and 

materials composition of discarded small appliances was obtained through manufacturer 

specifications and interviews. It was estimated that 1.4 million tons of small appliances were 

generated in 2007. A small amount of ferrous metals in small appliances is recovered through 

magnetic separation. 

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Chapter 2 	 Characterization of Municipal Solid Waste by Weight
 

Table 12
 

PRODUCTS GENERATED* IN THE MUNICIPAL WASTE STREAM, 1960 TO 2007
 

(WITH DETAIL ON DURABLE GOODS)
 

(In thousands of tons and percent of total generation)
 

Thousands of Tons 

Products 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2004 2005 2006 2007 

Durable Goods 

Major Appliances 1,630 2,170 2,950 3,310 3,640 3,570 3,610 3,580 3,620 

Small Appliances** 460 1,040 1,100 1,180 1,280 1,390 

Furniture and Furnishings 2,150 2,830 4,760 6,790 7,990 8,640 8,870 9,100 9,340 

Carpets and Rugs** 1,660 2,570 2,930 2,980 3,070 3,140 

Rubber Tires 1,120 1,890 2,720 3,610 4,930 4,770 4,960 4,900 4,910 

Batteries, Lead-Acid Neg. 820 1,490 1,510 2,280 2,450 2,490 2,560 2,540 

Miscellaneous Durables 

Selected Consumer Electronics*** 1,900 2,420 2,630 2,840 3,010 

Other Miscellaneous Durables 14,500 17,400 17,680 17,560 17,470 

Total Miscellaneous Durables 5,020 6,950 9,880 12,470 16,400 19,820 20,310 20,400 20,480 

Total Durable Goods 9,920 14,660 21,800 29,810 38,850 43,280 44,400 44,890 45,420 

Nondurable Goods 17,330 25,060 34,420 52,170 64,010 64,380 63,650 64,310 62,240 

(Detail in Table 15) 

Containers and Packaging 27,370 43,560 52,670 64,530 75,350 77,290 76,400 77,820 78,450 

(Detail in Table 18) 

Total Product Wastes† 54,620 83,280 108,890 146,510 178,210 184,950 184,450 187,020 186,110 

Other Wastes 

Food Scraps 12,200 12,800 13,000 20,800 26,810 29,410 30,220 31,040 31,650 

Yard Trimmings 20,000 23,200 27,500 35,000 30,530 31,770 32,070 32,400 32,630 

Miscellaneous Inorganic Wastes 1,300 1,780 2,250 2,900 3,500 3,650 3,690 3,720 3,750 

Total Other Wastes 33,500 37,780 42,750 58,700 60,840 64,830 65,980 67,160 68,030 

Total MSW Generated - Weight 88,120 121,060 151,640 205,210 239,050 249,780 250,430 254,180 254,140 

Percent of Total Generation 

Products 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2004 2005 2006 2007 

Durable Goods 

Major Appliances 1.8% 1.8% 1.9% 1.6% 1.5% 1.4% 1.4% 1.4% 1.4% 

Small Appliances** 0.2% 0.4% 0.4% 0.5% 0.5% 0.5% 

Furniture and Furnishings 2.4% 2.3% 3.1% 3.3% 3.3% 3.5% 3.5% 3.6% 3.7% 

Carpets and Rugs** 0.8% 1.1% 1.2% 1.2% 1.2% 1.2% 

Rubber Tires 1.3% 1.6% 1.8% 1.8% 2.1% 1.9% 2.0% 1.9% 1.9% 

Batteries, Lead-Acid Neg. 0.7% 1.0% 0.7% 1.0% 1.0% 1.0% 1.0% 1.0% 

Miscellaneous Durables 

Selected Consumer Electronics*** 0.8% 1.0% 1.1% 1.1% 1.2% 

Other Miscellaneous Durables 6.1% 7.0% 7.1% 6.9% 6.9% 

Total Miscellaneous Durables 5.7% 5.7% 6.5% 6.1% 6.9% 7.9% 8.1% 8.0% 8.1% 

Total Durable Goods 11.3% 12.1% 14.4% 14.5% 16.3% 17.3% 17.7% 17.7% 17.9% 

Nondurable Goods 19.7% 20.7% 22.7% 25.4% 26.8% 25.8% 25.4% 25.3% 24.5% 

(Detail in Table 15) 

Containers and Packaging 31.1% 36.0% 34.7% 31.4% 31.5% 30.9% 30.5% 30.6% 30.9% 

(Detail in Table 19) 

Total Product Wastes† 62.0% 68.8% 71.8% 71.4% 74.5% 74.0% 73.7% 73.6% 73.2% 

Other Wastes 

Food Scraps 13.8% 10.6% 8.6% 10.1% 11.2% 11.8% 12.1% 12.2% 12.5% 

Yard Trimmings 22.7% 19.2% 18.1% 17.1% 12.8% 12.7% 12.8% 12.7% 12.8% 

Miscellaneous Inorganic Wastes 1.5% 1.5% 1.5% 1.4% 1.5% 1.5% 1.5% 1.5% 1.5% 

Total Other Wastes 38.0% 31.2% 28.2% 28.6% 25.5% 26.0% 26.3% 26.4% 26.8% 

Total MSW Generated - % 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 

* Generation before materials recovery or combustion. Does not include construction & demolition debris, industrial process 

wastes, or certain other wastes. Details may not add to totals due to rounding. 

** Not estimated separately prior to 1990. *** Not estimated separately prior to 1999. 

† Other than food products.	 Neg. = Less than 5,000 tons or 0.05 percent. 

Source: Franklin Associates, A Division of ERG 

71 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chapter 2 Characterization of Municipal Solid Waste by Weight
 

Table 13
 

RECOVERY* OF PRODUCTS IN MUNICIPAL SOLID WASTE, 1960 TO 2007
 

(WITH DETAIL ON DURABLE GOODS)
 

(In thousands of tons and percent of generation of each product)
 

Thousands of Tons 

Products 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2004 2005 2006 2007 

Durable Goods 

Major Appliances 10 50 130 1,070 2,000 2,390 2,420 2,410 2,430 

Small Appliances** 10 20 20 20 20 20 

Furniture and Furnishings Neg. Neg. Neg. Neg. Neg. Neg. Neg. Neg. Neg. 

Carpets and Rugs** Neg. 190 210 250 250 280 

Rubber Tires 330 250 150 440 1,290 1,700 1,720 1,710 1,710 

Batteries, Lead-Acid Neg. 620 1,040 1,470 2,130 2,430 2,470 2,540 2,520 

Miscellaneous Durables 

Selected Consumer Electronics*** 190 340 360 380 410 

Other Miscellaneous Durables 760 660 640 680 620 

Total Miscellaneous Durables 10 20 40 470 950 1,000 1,000 1,060 1,030 

Total Durable Goods 350 940 1,360 3,460 6,580 7,750 7,880 7,990 7,990 

Nondurable Goods 2,390 3,730 4,670 8,800 17,560 19,420 19,770 21,050 21,760 

(Detail in Table 16) 

Containers and Packaging 2,870 3,350 8,490 16,780 28,740 30,350 31,190 32,340 33,510 

(Detail in Table 20) 

Total Product Wastes† 5,610 8,020 14,520 29,040 52,880 57,520 58,840 61,380 63,260 

Other Wastes 

Food Scraps Neg. Neg. Neg. Neg. 680 660 690 680 810 

Yard Trimmings Neg. Neg. Neg. 4,200 15,770 19,810 19,860 20,100 20,900 

Miscellaneous Inorganic Wastes Neg. Neg. Neg. Neg. Neg. Neg. Neg. Neg. Neg. 

Total Other Wastes Neg. Neg. Neg. 4,200 16,450 20,470 20,550 20,780 21,710 

Total MSW Recovered - Weight 5,610 8,020 14,520 33,240 69,330 77,990 79,390 82,160 84,970 

Percent of Generation of Each Product 

Products 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2004 2005 2006 2007 

Durable Goods 

Major Appliances 0.6% 2.3% 4.4% 32.3% 54.9% 66.9% 67.0% 67.3% 67.1% 

Small Appliances** 2.2% 1.9% 1.8% 1.7% 1.6% 1.4% 

Furniture and Furnishings Neg. Neg. Neg. Neg. Neg. Neg. Neg. Neg. Neg. 

Carpets and Rugs** Neg. 7.4% 7.2% 8.4% 8.1% 8.9% 

Rubber Tires 29.5% 13.2% 5.5% 12.2% 26.2% 35.6% 34.7% 34.9% 34.8% 

Batteries, Lead-Acid Neg. 75.6% 69.8% 97.4% 93.4% 99.2% 99.2% 99.2% 99.2% 

Miscellaneous Durables 

Selected Consumer Electronics*** 10.0% 14.0% 13.7% 13.4% 13.6% 

Other Miscellaneous Durables 5.2% 3.8% 3.6% 3.9% 3.5% 

Total Miscellaneous Durables 0.2% 0.3% 0.4% 3.8% 5.8% 5.0% 4.9% 5.2% 5.0% 

Total Durable Goods 3.5% 6.4% 6.2% 11.6% 16.9% 17.9% 17.7% 17.8% 17.6% 

Nondurable Goods 13.8% 14.9% 13.6% 16.9% 27.4% 30.2% 31.1% 32.7% 35.0% 

(Detail in Table 16) 

Containers and Packaging 10.5% 7.7% 16.1% 26.0% 38.1% 39.3% 40.8% 41.6% 42.7% 

(Detail in Table 21) 

Total Product Wastes† 10.3% 9.6% 13.3% 19.8% 29.7% 31.1% 31.9% 32.8% 34.0% 

Other Wastes 

Food Scraps Neg. Neg. Neg. Neg. 2.5% 2.2% 2.3% 2.2% 2.6% 

Yard Trimmings Neg. Neg. Neg. 12.0% 51.7% 62.4% 61.9% 62.0% 64.1% 

Miscellaneous Inorganic Wastes Neg. Neg. Neg. Neg. Neg. Neg. Neg. Neg. Neg. 

Total Other Wastes Neg. Neg. Neg. 7.2% 27.0% 31.6% 31.1% 30.9% 31.9% 

Total MSW Recovered - % 6.4% 6.6% 9.6% 16.2% 29.0% 31.2% 31.7% 32.3% 33.4% 

* Recovery of postconsumer wastes; does not include converting/fabrication scrap. 

** Not estimated separately prior to 1990. *** Not estimated separately prior to 1999. 

† Other than food products. 

Neg. = Less than 5,000 tons or 0.05 percent. Details may not add to totals due to rounding. 

Source: Franklin Associates, A Division of ERG 

72 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chapter 2 Characterization of Municipal Solid Waste by Weight
 

Table 14
 

PRODUCTS DISCARDED* IN THE MUNICIPAL WASTE STREAM, 1960 TO 2007
 

(WITH DETAIL ON DURABLE GOODS)
 

(In thousands of tons and percent of total discards)
 

Thousands of Tons 

Products 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2004 2005 2006 2007 

Durable Goods 

Major Appliances 1,620 2,120 2,820 2,240 1,640 1,180 1,190 1,170 1,190 

Small Appliances** 450 1,020 1,080 1,160 1,260 1,370 

Furniture and Furnishings 2,150 2,830 4,760 6,790 7,990 8,640 8,870 9,100 9,340 

Carpets and Rugs** 1,660 2,380 2,720 2,730 2,820 2,860 

Rubber Tires 790 1,640 2,570 3,170 3,640 3,070 3,240 3,190 3,200 

Batteries, Lead-Acid Neg. 200 450 40 150 20 20 20 20 

Miscellaneous Durables 

Selected Consumer Electronics*** 1,710 2,080 2,270 2,460 2,600 

Other Miscellaneous Durables 13,740 16,740 17,040 16,880 16,850 

Total Miscellaneous Durables 5,010 6,930 9,840 12,000 15,450 18,820 19,310 19,340 19,450 

Total Durable Goods 9,570 13,720 20,440 26,350 32,270 35,530 36,520 36,900 37,430 

Nondurable Goods 14,940 21,330 29,750 43,370 46,450 44,960 43,880 43,260 40,480 

(Detail in Table 17) 

Containers and Packaging 24,500 40,210 44,180 47,750 46,610 46,940 45,210 45,480 44,940 

(Detail in Table 22) 

Total Product Wastes† 49,010 75,260 94,370 117,470 125,330 127,430 125,610 125,640 122,850 

Other Wastes 

Food Scraps 12,200 12,800 13,000 20,800 26,130 28,750 29,530 30,360 30,840 

Yard Trimmings 20,000 23,200 27,500 30,800 14,760 11,960 12,210 12,300 11,730 

Miscellaneous Inorganic Wastes 1,300 1,780 2,250 2,900 3,500 3,650 3,690 3,720 3,750 

Total Other Wastes 33,500 37,780 42,750 54,500 44,390 44,360 45,430 46,380 46,320 

Total MSW Discarded - Weight 82,510 113,040 137,120 171,970 169,720 171,790 171,040 172,020 169,170 

Percent of Total Discards 

Products 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2004 2005 2006 2007 

Durable Goods 

Major Appliances 2.0% 1.9% 2.1% 1.3% 1.0% 0.7% 0.7% 0.7% 0.7% 

Small Appliances** 0.3% 0.6% 0.6% 0.7% 0.7% 0.8% 

Furniture and Furnishings 2.6% 2.5% 3.5% 3.9% 4.7% 5.0% 5.2% 5.3% 5.5% 

Carpets and Rugs** 1.0% 1.4% 1.6% 1.6% 1.6% 1.7% 

Rubber Tires 1.0% 1.5% 1.9% 1.8% 2.1% 1.8% 1.9% 1.9% 1.9% 

Batteries, Lead-Acid Neg. 0.2% 0.3% 0.0% 0.1% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 

Miscellaneous Durables 

Selected Consumer Electronics*** 1.0% 1.2% 1.3% 1.4% 1.5% 

Other Miscellaneous Durables 8.1% 9.7% 10.0% 9.8% 10.0% 

Total Miscellaneous Durables 6.1% 6.1% 7.2% 7.0% 9.1% 11.0% 11.3% 11.2% 11.5% 

Total Durable Goods 11.6% 12.1% 14.9% 15.3% 19.0% 20.7% 21.4% 21.5% 22.1% 

Nondurable Goods 18.1% 18.9% 21.7% 25.2% 27.4% 26.2% 25.7% 25.1% 23.9% 

(Detail in Table 17) 

Containers and Packaging 29.7% 35.6% 32.2% 27.8% 27.5% 27.3% 26.4% 26.4% 26.6% 

(Detail in Table 23) 

Total Product Wastes† 59.4% 66.6% 68.8% 68.3% 73.8% 74.2% 73.4% 73.0% 72.6% 

Other Wastes 

Food Scraps 14.8% 11.3% 9.5% 12.1% 15.4% 16.7% 17.3% 17.6% 18.2% 

Yard Trimmings 24.2% 20.5% 20.1% 17.9% 8.7% 7.0% 7.1% 7.2% 6.9% 

Miscellaneous Inorganic Wastes 1.6% 1.6% 1.6% 1.7% 2.1% 2.1% 2.2% 2.2% 2.2% 

Total Other Wastes 40.6% 33.4% 31.2% 31.7% 26.2% 25.8% 26.6% 27.0% 27.4% 

Total MSW Discarded - % 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 

* Discards after materials and compost recovery. In this table, discards include combustion with energy recovery. 

Does not include construction & demolition debris, industrial process wastes, or certain other wastes. 

** Not estimated separately prior to 1990. *** Not estimated separately prior to 1999. Preliminary data; may undergo revision. 

† Other than food products. 

Neg. = Less than 5,000 tons or 0.05 percent. Details may not add to totals due to rounding.
 

Source: Franklin Associates, A Division of ERG
 

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Chapter 2 Characterization of Municipal Solid Waste by Weight
 

Furniture and Furnishings. Data on sales of furniture and furnishings are provided by 

the Department of Commerce in dollars. These data are converted to tons using factors developed 

for this study over the years. For example, factors are developed by applying sales growth 

statistics (expressed as constant dollars) in household and office furniture, curtains, and 

mattresses to textile consumption (in tons) in household and office furniture, curtains, and 

mattresses manufacturing for those years where consumption data are available. These factors are 

then applied to those years where sales statistics are available but consumption data are not 

available. Adjustments are made for imports and exports and adjustments are made for the 

lifetimes of the furniture. 

Generation of furniture and furnishings in MSW has increased from 2.2 million tons in 

1960 to 9.3 million tons in 2007 (3.7 percent of total MSW). No significant recovery of materials 

from furniture was identified. Some mattress recovery is occurring but, according to an industry 

representative, recovery data are not currently available. Wood is the largest material category in 

furniture, with ferrous metals second. Plastics, glass, and other materials are also found in 

furniture. 

Carpets and Rugs. An industry publication, Carpet and Rug Industrial Review, 

publishes data on carpet sales in square yards. These data are converted to tons using pounds per 

square yard factors developed for this report. In recent years, carpet sales from the Department of 

Commerce Current Industrial Report Carpet and Rug series have been used. An estimated 3.1 

million tons of carpets and rugs were generated in MSW in 2007, which was 1.2 percent of total 

generation. 

Recovery of carpet fiber, backing, and padding – estimated from industry data – was 

280,000 tons in 2007 (8.9 percent of carpet generation). 

Vehicle Tires. The methodology for estimating generation of rubber tires for automobiles 

and trucks is based on data on replacement tires purchased and vehicles deregistered as reported 

by the U. S. Department of Commerce. It is assumed that for each replacement tire purchased, a 

74 
Chapter 2 Characterization of Municipal Solid Waste by Weight
 

used tire enters the waste management system, and that tires on deregistered vehicles also enter 

the waste management system. Retreaded tires are treated as a diversion out of the waste stream; 

they are assumed to re-enter the waste stream after two years of use. 

The quantities of tires in units are converted to weight and materials composition using 

factors developed for this series of reports. In addition to rubber, tires include relatively small 

amounts of textiles and ferrous metals. Generation of rubber tires increased from 1.1 million tons 

in 1960 to 4.9 million tons in 2007 (1.9 percent of total MSW). Since 2000, the generation of 

rubber tires has remained fairly constant. 

Data on recovery of tires are based on data from the Scrap Tire Management Council. 

The tire recovery rate increased from 26.2 percent in 2000 to 34.8 percent in 2007. In recent 

years, the quantity of tires generated and recovered through recycling has remained relatively 

steady. After recovery, 3.2 million tons of tires were discarded in 2007. (Tires going to 

combustion facilities as fuel are included in the combustion estimates in Chapter 3.) 

Lead-Acid Batteries. The methodology for estimating generation of lead-acid batteries is 

similar to the methodology for rubber tires as described above. An estimated 2.5 million tons of 

lead-acid batteries from automobiles, trucks, and motorcycles were generated in MSW in 2007 

(one percent of total generation). 

The Battery Council International provided the most recent data on recovery of batteries. 

Recovery of batteries for recycling has fluctuated between 70 percent and 99 percent; recovery 

has increased since 1980 as a growing number of communities have restricted batteries from 

disposal at landfills or combustion facilities. In 2007, 99.2 percent of the lead in these batteries 

was estimated to be recovered for recycling as well as substantial quantities of the polypropylene 

battery casings. Discards after recycling of these batteries were 20,000 tons in 2007. (Some 

electrolytes and other materials in batteries are removed from the municipal solid waste stream 

along with recovered lead and polypropylene; these materials are counted as “recovered” along 

with the recyclable materials.) 

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Chapter 2 Characterization of Municipal Solid Waste by Weight
 

Miscellaneous Durable Goods. Miscellaneous durable goods include consumer 

electronics such as television sets, videocassette recorders, and personal computers; luggage; 

sporting equipment; and the like. An estimated 20.5 million tons of these goods were generated 

in 2007, amounting to 8.1 percent of MSW generated. 

As in recent previous updates of this report, generation of selected consumer electronic 

products was estimated as a subset of miscellaneous durable goods. In 2007, an estimated 3.0 

million tons of these goods were generated. Of this, approximately 410,000 tons of selected 

consumer electronics were recovered for recycling. Selected consumer electronics include 

products such as TVs, VCRs, DVD players, video cameras, stereo systems, telephones, and 

computer equipment. EPA has addressed television, computer products, and cell phone 

management separately in the recently released Electronics Waste Management in the United 

States Approach 1, EPA530-R-08-009, July 2008 

(http://www.epa.gov/waste/conserve/materials/ecycling/docs/app-1.pdf). 

The miscellaneous durable goods category, as a whole, includes ferrous metals as well as 

plastics, glass, rubber, wood, and other metals. An estimated 620,000 tons of ferrous metals were 

estimated to have been recovered from this category through pre-combustion and postcombustion magnetic separation at MSW combustion facilities in 2007, bringing total recovery 

from this category to 1.0 million tons. Discards of miscellaneous durable goods were 19.5 

million tons in 2007. 

Nondurable Goods 

The Department of Commerce defines nondurable goods as those having a lifetime of less 

than three years, and this definition was followed for this report to the extent possible. 

Products made of paper and paperboard comprise the largest portion of nondurable goods. 

Other nondurable products include paper and plastic plates, cups, and other disposable food 

service products; disposable diapers; clothing and footwear; linens; and other miscellaneous 

products. (See Tables 15 through 17.) 

76 
 

 

 

Chapter 2 	 Characterization of Municipal Solid Waste by Weight
 

Generation of nondurable goods in MSW was 62.2 million tons in 2007 (24.5 percent of 

total generation). Recovery of paper products in this category is quite significant, resulting in 

21.8 million tons of nondurable goods recovered in 2007 (35.0 percent of nondurables 

generation). This means that 40.5 million tons of nondurable goods were discarded in 2007 (23.9 

percent of total MSW discards). 

Paper and Paperboard Products. Generation, recovery, and discards of paper and 

paperboard products in nondurable goods are summarized in Tables 15 through 17. A summary 

for 2007 was shown earlier in Table 4. Generation of paper and paperboard nondurable products 

declined from 47.8 million tons in 2000 to 43.1 million tons in 2007. Each of the paper and 

paperboard product categories in nondurable goods is discussed briefly below. 

•	 Newspapers are by far the largest single component of the nondurable goods 

category, at 11.0 million tons generated in 2007 (4.3 percent of total MSW). In 

2007, an estimated 8.5 million tons of newspapers generated were recovered for 

recycling. Estimates of newspaper generation are broken down into newsprint (the 

majority of the weight of the newspapers) and groundwood3

 inserts (primarily 

advertising) that are a significant portion of the total weight of newspapers. This 

breakdown is shown in Table 4. 

•	 Books amounted to approximately 1.3 million tons, or 0.5 percent of total MSW 

generation, in 2007. Recovery of books is not well documented, but it was 

estimated that approximately 350,000 tons of books were recovered in 2007. 

Books are made of both groundwood and chemical pulp. 

•	 Magazines accounted for an estimated 2.6 million tons, or 1.0 percent of total 

MSW generation, in 2007. Like books, recovery of magazines is not well 

documented. It was estimated that 1.0 million tons of magazines were recovered 

Groundwood papers, like newsprint, are made primarily from pulp prepared by a mechanical process. The 

nature of the pulp (groundwood vs. chemical) affects the potential uses for the recovered paper. 

77 

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Chapter 2 	 Characterization of Municipal Solid Waste by Weight
 

in 2007. Magazines are predominantly made of coated groundwood, but some 

uncoated groundwood and chemical pulps are also used. 

•	 Many different kinds of papers are generated in offices. For this report, office-type 

paper estimates include the high grade papers such as copier paper, computer 

printout, stationery, etc. Generation of these office papers was 6.0 million tons, or 

2.4 percent of total MSW generation in 2007. These papers are almost entirely 

made of uncoated chemical pulp, although some amounts of groundwood are also 

used. It should be noted that some of these office-type papers are generated at 

locations other than offices, including homes and institutions such as schools. 

Also, other kinds of papers (e.g., newspapers, magazines, and packaging) are 

generated in offices, but are accounted for in other categories. An estimated 4.3 

million tons of office-type papers were recovered in 2007. 

•	 Directories were estimated to generate 700,000 tons (0.3 percent of total MSW) in 

2007. These directories are made of groundwood. It was estimated that 140,000 

tons of directories were recovered in 2007. 

•	 Standard mail includes catalogs and other direct bulk mailings; these amounted to 

an estimated 5.9 million tons, or 2.3 percent of MSW generation, in 2007. Both 

groundwood and chemical pulps are used in these mailings. It was estimated that 

2.4 million tons were recovered in 2007. The U.S. Postal Service has 

implemented a program to increase recovery of bulk mail, and many curbside 

collection programs also include mail. 

•	 Other commercial printing includes a wide range of paper items, including 

brochures, reports, menus, and invitations. Both groundwood and chemical pulps 

are used in these varied items. Generation was estimated at 6.3 million tons, or 2.5 

percent of MSW generation, in 2007, with recovery estimated at 3.6 million tons. 

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Chapter 2 Characterization of Municipal Solid Waste by Weight
 

Table 15
 

PRODUCTS GENERATED* IN THE MUNICIPAL WASTE STREAM, 1960 TO 2007
 

(WITH DETAIL ON NONDURABLE GOODS)
 

(In thousands of tons and percent of total generation)
 

Thousands of Tons 

Products 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2004 2005 2006 2007 

Durable Goods 

(Detail in Table 12) 

9,920 14,660 21,800 29,810 38,850 43,280 44,400 44,890 45,420 

Nondurable Goods 

Newspapers 7,110 9,510 11,050 13,430 14,790 13,520 12,790 12,360 10,980 

Books and Magazines 1,920 2,470 3,390 

Books** 970 1,240 1,270 1,100 1,130 1,340 

Magazines** 2,830 2,230 2,460 2,580 2,670 2,550 

Office-Type Papers 1,520 2,650 4,000 6,410 7,420 7,040 6,620 5,890 6,000 

Directories** 610 680 640 660 680 700 

Standard Mail*** 3,820 5,570 5,570 5,830 5,890 5,910 

Other Commercial Printing 1,260 2,130 3,120 4,460 7,380 6,640 6,440 7,250 6,260 

Tissue Paper and Towels 1,090 2,080 2,300 2,960 3,220 3,220 3,460 3,590 3,500 

Paper Plates and Cups 270 420 630 650 960 1,200 1,160 1,270 1,310 

Plastic Plates and Cups† 190 650 870 970 930 890 860 

Trash Bags** 780 850 1,090 1,060 1,080 1,070 

Disposable Diapers Neg. 350 1,930 2,700 3,230 3,370 3,410 3,560 3,730 

Other Nonpackaging Paper 2,700 3,630 4,230 3,840 4,250 4,540 4,490 4,540 4,450 

Clothing and Footwear 1,360 1,620 2,170 4,010 6,470 7,570 7,890 8,350 8,320 

Towels, Sheets and Pillowcases** 710 820 940 980 1,030 1,100 

Other Miscellaneous Nondurables 100 200 1,410 3,340 4,030 4,340 4,250 4,130 4,160 

Total Nondurable Goods 17,330 25,060 34,420 52,170 64,010 64,380 63,650 64,310 62,240 

Containers and Packaging 27,370 43,560 52,670 64,530 75,350 77,290 76,400 77,820 78,450 

(Detail in Table 18) 

Total Product Wastes‡ 54,620 83,280 108,890 146,510 178,210 184,950 184,450 187,020 186,110 

Other Wastes 33,500 37,780 42,750 58,700 60,840 64,830 65,980 67,160 68,030 

Total MSW Generated - Weight 88,120 121,060 151,640 205,210 239,050 249,780 250,430 254,180 254,140 

Percent of Total Generation 

Products 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2004 2005 2006 2007 

Durable Goods 

(Detail in Table 12) 

11.3% 12.1% 14.4% 14.5% 16.3% 17.3% 17.7% 17.7% 17.9% 

Nondurable Goods 

Newspapers 8.1% 7.9% 7.3% 6.5% 6.2% 5.4% 5.1% 4.9% 4.3% 

Books and Magazines 2.2% 2.0% 2.2% 

Books** 0.5% 0.5% 0.5% 0.4% 0.4% 0.5% 

Magazines** 1.4% 0.9% 1.0% 1.0% 1.1% 1.0% 

Office-Type Papers*** 1.7% 2.2% 2.6% 3.1% 3.1% 2.8% 2.6% 2.3% 2.4% 

Directories** 0.3% 0.3% 0.3% 0.3% 0.3% 0.3% 

Standard Mail§ 1.9% 2.3% 2.2% 2.3% 2.3% 2.3% 

Other Commercial Printing 1.4% 1.8% 2.1% 2.2% 3.1% 2.7% 2.6% 2.9% 2.5% 

Tissue Paper and Towels 1.2% 1.7% 1.5% 1.4% 1.3% 1.3% 1.4% 1.4% 1.4% 

Paper Plates and Cups 0.3% 0.3% 0.4% 0.3% 0.4% 0.5% 0.5% 0.5% 0.5% 

Plastic Plates and Cups† 0.1% 0.3% 0.4% 0.4% 0.4% 0.4% 0.3% 

Trash Bags** 0.4% 0.4% 0.4% 0.4% 0.4% 0.4% 

Disposable Diapers Neg. 0.3% 1.3% 1.3% 1.4% 1.3% 1.4% 1.4% 1.5% 

Other Nonpackaging Paper 3.1% 3.0% 2.8% 1.9% 1.8% 1.8% 1.8% 1.8% 1.8% 

Clothing and Footwear 1.5% 1.3% 1.4% 2.0% 2.7% 3.0% 3.2% 3.3% 3.3% 

Towels, Sheets and Pillowcases** 0.3% 0.3% 0.4% 0.4% 0.4% 0.4% 

Other Miscellaneous Nondurables 0.1% 0.2% 0.9% 1.6% 1.7% 1.7% 1.7% 1.6% 1.6% 

Total Nondurables 19.7% 20.7% 22.7% 25.4% 26.8% 25.8% 25.4% 25.3% 24.5% 

Containers and Packaging 31.1% 36.0% 34.7% 31.4% 31.5% 30.9% 30.5% 30.6% 30.9% 

(Detail in Table 19) 

Total Product Wastes‡ 62.0% 68.8% 71.8% 71.4% 74.5% 74.0% 73.7% 73.6% 73.2% 

Other Wastes 38.0% 31.2% 28.2% 28.6% 25.5% 26.0% 26.3% 26.4% 26.8% 

Total MSW Generated - % 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 

* Generation before materials recovery or combustion. Does not include construction & demolition debris, industrial
 

process wastes, or certain other wastes. Details may not add to totals due to rounding.
 

** Not estimated separately prior to 1990.
 

*** High-grade paper such as printer paper; generated in both commercial and residential sources. 

§ Not estimated separately prior to 1990. Formerly called Third Class Mail and Standard (A) Mail by the U.S. Postal Service. 

† Not estimated separately prior to 1980. 

‡ Other than food products. 

Neg. = Less than 5,000 tons or 0.05 percent.
 

Source: Franklin Associates, A Division of ERG
 

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Chapter 2 Characterization of Municipal Solid Waste by Weight
 

Table 16
 

RECOVERY* OF PRODUCTS IN MUNICIPAL SOLID WASTE, 1960 TO 2007
 

(WITH DETAIL ON NONDURABLE GOODS)
 

(In thousands of tons and percent of generation of each product)
 

Thousands of Tons 

Products 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2004 2005 2006 2007 

Durable Goods 

(Detail in Table 13) 

350 940 1,360 3,460 6,580 7,750 7,880 7,990 7,990 

Nondurable Goods 

Newspapers 1,820 2,250 3,020 5,110 8,720 9,150 9,360 9,310 8,540 

Books and Magazines 100 260 280 

Books** 100 240 250 270 290 350 

Magazines** 300 710 890 960 1,030 1,010 

Office-Type Papers 250 710 870 1,700 4,090 4,240 4,110 4,210 4,310 

Directories** 50 120 100 120 130 140 

Standard Mail*** 200 1,830 1,930 2,090 2,280 2,380 

Other Commercial Printing 130 340 350 700 810 1,450 1,440 2,370 3,590 

Tissue Paper and Towels Neg. Neg. Neg. Neg. Neg. Neg. Neg. Neg. Neg. 

Paper Plates and Cups Neg. Neg. Neg. Neg. Neg. Neg. Neg. Neg. Neg. 

Plastic Plates and Cups† Neg. Neg. Neg. Neg. Neg. Neg. Neg. 

Trash Bags** Neg. Neg. Neg. Neg. Neg. Neg. 

Disposable Diapers Neg. Neg. Neg. Neg. Neg. Neg. 

Other Nonpackaging Paper 40 110 Neg. Neg. Neg. Neg. Neg. Neg. Neg. 

Clothing and Footwear 50 60 150 520 900 1,250 1,250 1,250 1,250 

Towels, Sheets and Pillowcases** 120 140 160 170 180 190 

Other Miscellaneous Nondurables Neg. Neg. Neg. Neg. Neg. Neg. Neg. Neg. Neg. 

Total Nondurable Goods 2,390 3,730 4,670 8,800 17,560 19,420 19,770 21,050 21,760 

Containers and Packaging 2,870 3,350 8,490 16,780 28,740 30,350 31,190 32,340 33,510 

(Detail in Table 20) 

Total Product Wastes‡ 5,610 8,020 14,520 29,040 52,880 57,520 58,840 61,380 63,260 

Other Wastes Neg. Neg. Neg. 4,200 16,450 20,470 20,550 20,780 21,710 

Total MSW Recovered - Weight 5,610 8,020 14,520 33,240 69,330 77,990 79,390 82,160 84,970 

Percent of Generation of Each Product 

Products 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2004 2005 2006 2007 

Durable Goods 

(Detail in Table 13) 

3.5% 6.4% 6.2% 11.6% 16.9% 17.9% 17.7% 17.8% 17.6% 

Nondurable Goods 

Newspapers 25.6% 23.7% 27.3% 38.0% 59.0% 67.7% 73.2% 75.3% 77.8% 

Books and Magazines 5.2% 10.5% 8.3% 

Books** 10.3% 19.4% 19.7% 24.5% 25.7% 26.1% 

Magazines** 10.6% 31.8% 36.2% 37.2% 38.6% 39.6% 

Office-Type Papers*** 16.4% 26.8% 21.8% 26.5% 55.1% 60.2% 62.1% 71.5% 71.8% 

Directories** 8.2% 17.6% 15.6% 18.2% 19.1% 20.0% 

Standard Mail§ 5.2% 32.9% 34.6% 35.8% 38.7% 40.3% 

Other Commercial Printing 10.3% 16.0% 11.2% 15.7% 11.0% 21.8% 22.4% 32.7% 57.3% 

Tissue Paper and Towels Neg. Neg. Neg. Neg. Neg. Neg. Neg. Neg. Neg. 

Paper Plates and Cups Neg. Neg. Neg. Neg. Neg. Neg. Neg. Neg. Neg. 

Plastic Plates and Cups† Neg. Neg. Neg. Neg. Neg. Neg. Neg. 

Trash Bags** Neg. Neg. Neg. Neg. Neg. Neg. 

Disposable Diapers Neg. Neg. Neg. Neg. Neg. Neg. 

Other Nonpackaging Paper 1.5% 3.0% Neg. Neg. Neg. Neg. Neg. Neg. Neg. 

Clothing and Footwear Neg. Neg. Neg. 13.0% 13.9% 16.5% 15.8% 15.0% 15.0% 

Towels, Sheets and Pillowcases** 16.9% 17.1% 17.0% 17.3% 17.5% 17.3% 

Other Miscellaneous Nondurables Neg. Neg. Neg. Neg. Neg. Neg. Neg. Neg. Neg. 

Total Nondurables 13.8% 14.9% 13.6% 16.9% 27.4% 30.2% 31.1% 32.7% 35.0% 

Containers and Packaging 10.5% 7.7% 16.1% 26.0% 38.1% 39.3% 40.8% 41.6% 42.7% 

(Detail in Table 21) 

Total Product Wastes‡ 10.3% 9.6% 13.3% 19.8% 29.7% 31.1% 31.9% 32.8% 34.0% 

Other Wastes Neg. Neg. Neg. 7.2% 27.0% 31.6% 31.1% 30.9% 31.9% 

Total MSW Recovered - % 6.4% 6.6% 9.6% 16.2% 29.0% 31.2% 31.7% 32.3% 33.4% 

* Recovery of postconsumer wastes; does not include converting/fabrication scrap.
 

Details may not add to totals due to rounding.
 

** Not estimated separately prior to 1990.
 

*** High-grade paper such as printer paper; generated in both commercial and residential sources. 

§ Not estimated separately prior to 1990. Formerly called Third Class Mail and Standard (A) Mail by the U.S. Postal Service. 

† Not estimated separately prior to 1980. 

‡ Other than food products. 

Neg. = Less than 5,000 tons or 0.05 percent.
 

Source: Franklin Associates, A Division of ERG
 

80 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chapter 2 Characterization of Municipal Solid Waste by Weight
 

Table 17
 

PRODUCTS DISCARDED* IN THE MUNICIPAL WASTE STREAM, 1960 TO 2007
 

(WITH DETAIL ON NONDURABLE GOODS)
 

(In thousands of tons and percent of total discards)
 

Thousands of Tons 

Products 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2004 2005 2006 2007 

Durable Goods 

(Detail in Table 14) 

9,570 13,720 20,440 26,350 32,270 35,530 36,520 36,900 37,430 

Nondurable Goods 

Newspapers 5,290 7,260 8,030 8,320 6,070 4,370 3,430 3,050 2,440 

Books and Magazines 1,820 2,210 3,110 

Books** 870 1,000 1,020 830 840 990 

Magazines** 2,530 1,520 1,570 1,620 1,640 1,540 

Office-Type Papers 1,270 1,940 3,130 4,710 3,330 2,800 2,510 1,680 1,690 

Directories** 560 560 540 540 550 560 

Standard Mail*** 3,620 3,740 3,640 3,740 3,610 3,530 

Other Commercial Printing 1,130 1,790 2,770 3,760 6,570 5,190 5,000 4,880 2,670 

Tissue Paper and Towels 1,090 2,080 2,300 2,960 3,220 3,220 3,460 3,590 3,500 

Paper Plates and Cups 270 420 630 650 960 1,200 1,160 1,270 1,310 

Plastic Plates and Cups† 190 650 870 970 930 890 860 

Trash Bags** 780 850 1,090 1,060 1,080 1,070 

Disposable Diapers Neg. 350 1,930 2,700 3,230 3,370 3,410 3,560 3,730 

Other Nonpackaging Paper 2,660 3,520 4,230 3,840 4,250 4,540 4,490 4,540 4,450 

Clothing and Footwear 1,310 1,560 2,020 3,490 5,570 6,320 6,640 7,100 7,070 

Towels, Sheets and Pillowcases** 590 680 780 810 850 910 

Other Miscellaneous Nondurables 100 200 1,410 3,340 4,030 4,340 4,250 4,130 4,160 

Total Nondurable Goods 14,940 21,330 29,750 43,370 46,450 44,960 43,880 43,260 40,480 

Containers and Packaging 24,500 40,210 44,180 47,750 46,610 46,940 45,210 45,480 44,940 

(Detail in Table 22) 

Total Product Wastes‡ 49,010 75,260 94,370 117,470 125,330 127,430 125,610 125,640 122,850 

Other Wastes 33,500 37,780 42,750 54,500 44,390 44,360 45,430 46,380 46,320 

Total MSW Discarded - Weight 82,510 113,040 137,120 171,970 169,720 171,790 171,040 172,020 169,170 

Percent of Total Discards 

Products 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2004 2005 2006 2007 

Durable Goods 

(Detail in Table 14) 

11.6% 12.1% 14.9% 15.3% 19.0% 20.7% 21.4% 21.5% 22.1% 

Nondurable Goods 

Newspapers 6.4% 6.4% 5.9% 4.8% 3.6% 2.5% 2.0% 1.8% 1.4% 

Books and Magazines 2.2% 2.0% 2.3% 

Books** 0.5% 0.6% 0.6% 0.5% 0.5% 0.6% 

Magazines** 1.5% 0.9% 0.9% 0.9% 1.0% 0.9% 

Office-Type Papers*** 1.5% 1.7% 2.3% 2.7% 2.0% 1.6% 1.5% 1.0% 1.0% 

Directories** 0.3% 0.3% 0.3% 0.3% 0.3% 0.3% 

Standard Mail§ 2.1% 2.2% 2.1% 2.2% 2.1% 2.1% 

Other Commercial Printing 1.4% 1.6% 2.0% 2.2% 3.9% 3.0% 2.9% 2.8% 1.6% 

Tissue Paper and Towels 1.3% 1.8% 1.7% 1.7% 1.9% 1.9% 2.0% 2.1% 2.1% 

Paper Plates and Cups 0.3% 0.4% 0.5% 0.4% 0.6% 0.7% 0.7% 0.7% 0.8% 

Plastic Plates and Cups† 0.1% 0.4% 0.5% 0.6% 0.5% 0.5% 0.5% 

Trash Bags** 0.5% 0.5% 0.6% 0.6% 0.6% 0.6% 

Disposable Diapers Neg. 0.3% 1.4% 1.6% 1.9% 2.0% 2.0% 2.1% 2.2% 

Other Nonpackaging Paper 3.2% 3.1% 3.1% 2.2% 2.5% 2.6% 2.6% 2.6% 2.6% 

Clothing and Footwear 1.6% 1.4% 1.5% 2.0% 3.3% 3.7% 3.9% 4.1% 4.2% 

Towels, Sheets and Pillowcases** 0.3% 0.4% 0.5% 0.5% 0.5% 0.5% 

Other Miscellaneous Nondurables 0.1% 0.2% 1.7% 1.9% 2.4% 2.5% 2.5% 2.4% 2.5% 

Total Nondurables 18.1% 18.9% 21.7% 25.2% 27.4% 26.2% 25.7% 25.1% 23.9% 

Containers and Packaging 29.7% 35.6% 32.2% 27.8% 27.5% 27.3% 26.4% 26.4% 26.6% 

(Detail in Table 23) 

Total Product Wastes‡ 59.4% 66.6% 68.8% 68.3% 73.8% 74.2% 73.4% 73.0% 72.6% 

Other Wastes 40.6% 33.4% 31.2% 31.7% 26.2% 25.8% 26.6% 27.0% 27.4% 

Total MSW Discarded - % 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 

* Discards after materials and compost recovery. In this table, discards include combustion with energy recovery.
 

Does not include construction & demolition debris, industrial process wastes, or certain other wastes.
 

** Not estimated separately prior to 1990.
 

*** High-grade paper such as printer paper; generated in both commercial and residential sources. 

§ Not estimated separately prior to 1990. Formerly called Third Class Mail and Standard (A) Mail by the U.S. Postal Service. 

† Not estimated separately prior to 1980. 

‡ Other than food products. 

Neg. = Less than 5,000 tons or 0.05 percent. Details may not add to totals due to rounding.
 

Source: Franklin Associates, A Division of ERG
 

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Chapter 2 	 Characterization of Municipal Solid Waste by Weight
 

•	 Tissue paper and towels generation includes facial and sanitary tissues and table 

napkins, but not bathroom tissue, which is nearly all diverted from MSW into the 

wastewater treatment system. Tissue paper and towels (not including bathroom 

tissue) amounted to 3.5 million tons (1.4 percent of total MSW generation) in 

2007. No significant recovery of tissue products for recycling was identified, 

although there is some composting of these items. 

•	 Paper plates and cups include paper plates, cups, bowls, and other food service 

products used in homes, in commercial establishments like restaurants, and in 

institutional settings such as schools. Generation of these products was estimated 

at 1.3 million tons (0.5 percent of total MSW generation) in 2007. No significant 

recovery for recycling of these products was identified. 

•	 Other nonpackaging papers−including posters, photographic papers, cards, and 

games – accounted for 4.5 million tons (1.8 percent of total MSW generation) in 

2007. No significant recovery for recycling of these papers was identified. 

Overall, generation of paper and paperboard products in nondurable goods was 43.1 

million tons in 2007 (Table 4). While newspapers were recovered at the highest rate, other paper 

products, such as books, magazines, office papers, directories, standard mail, and other 

commercial printing also were recovered for recycling, and the overall recovery rate for paper in 

nondurables was 47.2 percent in 2007. Thus 22.7 million tons of paper in nondurables were 

discarded in 2007. 

Plastic Plates and Cups. This category includes plastic plates, cups, glasses, dishes and 

bowls, hinged containers, and other containers used in food service at home, in restaurants and 

other commercial establishments, and in institutional settings such as schools. These items are 

made primarily of polystyrene resin. An estimated 860,000 tons of these products were generated 

in 2007, or 0.3 percent of total MSW (Table 15). No significant recovery for recycling was 

identified in 2007. 

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Chapter 2 Characterization of Municipal Solid Waste by Weight
 

Trash Bags. This category includes plastic trash bags made of high-density polyethylene 

and low-density polyethylene for both indoor and outdoor use. Generation of plastic trash bags 

amounted to 1.1 million tons in 2007 (0.4 percent of MSW generation). No significant recovery 

for recycling was identified. 

Disposable Diapers. This category includes estimates of both infant diapers and adult 

incontinence products. Generation was estimated using data on sales of the products along with 

information on average weights and composition. An estimated 3.7 million tons of disposable 

diapers were generated in 2007, or 1.5 percent of total MSW generation. (This tonnage includes 

an adjustment for the urine and feces contained within the discarded diapers.) The materials 

portion of the diapers includes wood pulp, plastics (including the super-absorbent materials now 

present in most diapers), and tissue paper. 

No significant recycling or composting of disposable diapers was identified in 2007. 

Clothing and Footwear. Generation of clothing and footwear was estimated to be 8.3 

million tons in 2007 (3.3 percent of total MSW). Textiles, rubber, and leather are major materials 

components of this category, with some plastics present as well. Generation estimates for these 

products are based on sales data from the Department of Commerce along with data on average 

weights for each type of products included. Adjustments are made for net imports of these 

products based on Department of Commerce data. 

The Council for Textile Recycling has reported on recovery of textiles for exports, 

reprocessing, and reuse. Based on their data, it was estimated that 1.3 million tons of textiles in 

clothing were recovered for recycling in 2007. (Reuse occurs before generation and is not 

included in the generation or recycling estimates.) 

Towels, Sheets, and Pillowcases. An estimated 1.1 million tons of towels, sheets, and 

pillowcases were generated in 2007. Generation was estimated using a methodology similar to 

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Chapter 2 Characterization of Municipal Solid Waste by Weight
 

that for clothing. An estimated 190,000 tons of these textiles were recovered for export or 

recycling in 2007. 

Other Miscellaneous Nondurables. Generation of other miscellaneous nondurables was 

estimated to be 4.2 million tons in 2007 (1.6 percent of MSW). The primary material component 

of miscellaneous nondurables is plastics, although some aluminum, rubber, and textiles also are 

present. Typical products in miscellaneous nondurables include shower curtains and other 

household items, disposable medical supplies, novelty items, and the like. 

Generation of plastic products in miscellaneous nondurables is taken from resin sales data 

published annually by the American Chemistry Council. Generation of other materials in these 

nondurable products is estimated based on information in past reports in this series. 

Containers and Packaging 

Containers and packaging make up a major portion of MSW, amounting to 78.5 million 

tons of generation in 2007 (30.9 percent of total generation). Generation in this category has 

recently trended upward; Table 18 shows a 1 percent decrease between 2004 and 2005 followed 

by a 2 percent increase in 2006 (to 77.8 million tons) and a 1 percent increase between 2006 and 

2007 (to 78.5 million tons). 

Paper and paperboard packaging generation remained fairly consistent in recent years. 

Glass packaging generation declined after 1980 until 2004 when a small increase was observed in 

2005 through 2007. There were small declines in generation of steel packaging with an up turn in 

2006 and 2007, while aluminum packaging and wood packaging (mostly pallets) held steady. 

Plastics packaging generation decreased in 2005 and increased in 2006 and 2007. Generation, 

recovery, and discards of containers and packaging are shown in detail in Tables 18 through 23. 

There is substantial recovery of many container and packaging products, especially 

corrugated containers. In 2007, 42.7 percent of containers and packaging generated was 

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Chapter 2 Characterization of Municipal Solid Waste by Weight
 

recovered for recycling. Because of this recovery, containers and packaging comprised 26.6 

percent of total MSW discards in 2007. 

Containers and packaging in MSW are made of several materials: paper and paperboard, 

glass, steel, aluminum, plastics, wood, and small amounts of other materials. Material categories 

are discussed separately below. 

Glass Containers. Glass containers include beer and soft drink bottles (which include 

carbonated drinks and non-carbonated waters, teas, and flavored drinks containing not more than 

10 percent fruit juice), wine and liquor bottles, and bottles and jars for food, cosmetics, and other 

products. Generation of glass containers is estimated using Department of Commerce data. 

Adjustments are made for imports and exports of both empty glass containers and containers 

holding products, e.g., imported beer. 

Generation of these glass containers was 11.5 million tons in 2007, or 4.5 percent of 

MSW generation (Tables 18 and 19). This is higher tonnage than was generated in 2000 but 

lower than the amount generated in 1990 and earlier years. 

An estimated 3.2 million tons of glass containers were recovered for recycling, or 28.1 

percent of generation, in 2007. Glass container discards were 8.3 million tons in 2007, or 4.9 

percent of total MSW discards. 

Steel Containers and Packaging. Steel food and other cans, and other steel packaging 

(e.g., strapping and steel barrels and drums), totaled 2.7 million tons in 2007 (1.1 percent of total 

MSW generation), with most of that amount being cans for food products (Tables 18 and 19). 

Generation estimates are based on data supplied by the Steel Recycling Institute (SRI), the 

Reusable Industrial Packaging Association, and the Can Manufacturers Institute (CMI). 

Estimates include adjustments for net imports. 

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Chapter 2 Characterization of Municipal Solid Waste by Weight
 

The Steel Recycling Institute (SRI) provided recovery data for steel containers and 

packaging. An estimated 1.7 million tons of steel packaging were recovered in 2007, or 64.6 

percent of generation. The estimates include recovery from residential sources; pre-combustion 

and post-combustion magnetic separation of steel cans and other ferrous products at MSW 

combustion facilities; and recycling of drums and barrels not suitable for reconditioning. 

Aluminum Containers and Packaging. Aluminum containers and packaging include 

beer and soft drink cans (including all carbonated and non-carbonated soft drinks, tea, tonic, 

waters, and juice beverages), other cans, and foil and closures. Aluminum can generation has 

been estimated based on can shipments data from the Can Manufacturers Institute and the 

Aluminum Association and can weight data from the Aluminum Association, while estimates of 

the net import of unfilled aluminum cans is based on Department of Commerce data. Other 

aluminum packaging is also based on Department of Commerce data. 

Prior to 2000, the Can Manufacturers Institute published data on consumption of 

beverages in aluminum cans. After 2000, the Aluminum Association provided consumption data. 

The consumption data are adjusted for imports and exports of beverages in cans, and therefore 

are more accurate for generation calculations than shipments alone. Total aluminum container 

and packaging generation in 2007 was 1.9 million tons, or 0.7 percent of total MSW generation. 

Aluminum can recovery data are published by the Aluminum Association; this recovery 

number includes imported used beverage cans (UBC). The imported UBC are subtracted from 

the tonnage of UBC reported by the Aluminum Association to have been melted by U.S. endusers and recovered for export. Thus, the aluminum can recovery rate reported here is somewhat 

less than that published by the Aluminum Association. 

Recovery of aluminum beverage cans in 2007 was 0.7 million tons, or 48.6 percent of 

generation. Recovery of all aluminum packaging was estimated to be 39.0 percent of total 

generation in 2007. After recovery for recycling, 1.1 million tons of aluminum packaging were 

discarded in 2007. 

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Chapter 2 Characterization of Municipal Solid Waste by Weight
 

Table 18
 

PRODUCTS GENERATED* IN THE MUNICIPAL WASTE STREAM, 1960 TO 2007
 

(WITH DETAIL ON CONTAINERS AND PACKAGING)
 

(In thousands of tons)
 

Thousands of Tons 

Products 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2004 2005 2006 2007 

Durable Goods 

(Detail in Table 12) 

9,920 14,660 21,800 29,810 38,850 43,280 44,400 44,890 45,420 

Nondurable Goods 

(Detail in Table 15) 

17,330 25,060 34,420 52,170 64,010 64,380 63,650 64,310 62,240 

Containers and Packaging 

Glass Packaging 

Beer and Soft Drink Bottles 1,400 5,580 6,740 5,640 5,710 7,010 7,180 7,500 7,710 

Wine and Liquor Bottles 1,080 1,900 2,450 2,030 1,910 1,570 1,700 1,680 1,670 

Food and Other Bottles & Jars 3,710 4,440 4,780 4,160 3,420 2,280 2,360 2,240 2,090 

Total Glass Packaging 

Steel Packaging 

6,190 11,920 13,970 11,830 11,040 10,860 11,240 11,420 11,470 

Beer and Soft Drink Cans 640 1,570 520 150 Neg. Neg. Neg. Neg. Neg. 

Food and Other Cans 3,760 3,540 2,850 2,540 2,630 2,450 2,130 2,510 2,440 

Other Steel Packaging 260 270 240 200 240 240 240 240 240 

Total Steel Packaging 

Aluminum Packaging 

4,660 5,380 3,610 2,890 2,870 2,690 2,370 2,750 2,680 

Beer and Soft Drink Cans Neg. 100 850 1,550 1,520 1,480 1,450 1,440 1,420 

Other Cans Neg. 60 40 20 50 50 80 110 40 

Foil and Closures 170 410 380 330 380 390 400 420 410 

Total Aluminum Packaging 

Paper & Paperboard Pkg 

170 570 1,270 1,900 1,950 1,920 1,930 1,970 1,870 

Corrugated Boxes 7,330 12,760 17,080 24,010 30,210 31,490 30,930 31,430 31,230 

Milk Cartons 790 510 550 460 500 490 500 

Folding Cartons 3,820 4,300 5,820 5,410 5,530 5,450 5,530 

Other Paperboard Packaging 3,840 4,830 230 290 200 170 160 160 150 

Bags and Sacks 3,380 2,440 1,490 1,270 1,120 1,080 1,140 

Wrapping Papers 200 110 Neg. Neg. Neg. Neg. Neg. 

Other Paper Packaging 2,940 3,810 850 1,020 1,670 1,480 1,400 1,400 1,390 

Total Paper & Board Pkg 

Plastics Packaging 

14,110 21,400 26,350 32,680 39,940 40,280 39,640 40,010 39,940 

Soft Drink Bottles 260 430 830 850 850 940 1,010 

Milk Bottles 230 530 690 800 800 710 820 

Other Containers 60 910 890 1,430 2,630 3,150 3,110 3,430 3,740 

Bags and Sacks 390 940 1,650 1,810 1,640 1,830 1,010 

Wraps 840 1,530 2,550 2,940 2,810 2,800 3,180 

Subtotal Bags, Sacks, and Wraps 1,230 2,470 4,200 4,750 4,450 4,630 4,190 

Other Plastics Packaging 60 1,180 790 2,040 2,840 3,270 3,210 3,200 3,870 

Total Plastics Packaging 120 2,090 3,400 6,900 11,190 12,820 12,420 12,910 13,630 

Wood Packaging 2,000 2,070 3,940 8,180 8,120 8,430 8,520 8,480 8,540 

Other Misc. Packaging 120 130 130 150 240 290 280 280 320 

Total Containers & Pkg 27,370 43,560 52,670 64,530 75,350 77,290 76,400 77,820 78,450 

Total Product Wastes† 54,620 83,280 108,890 146,510 178,210 184,950 184,450 187,020 186,110 

Other Wastes 

Food Scraps 12,200 12,800 13,000 20,800 26,810 29,410 30,220 31,040 31,650 

Yard Trimmings 20,000 23,200 27,500 35,000 30,530 31,770 32,070 32,400 32,630 

Miscellaneous Inorganic Wastes 1,300 1,780 2,250 2,900 3,500 3,650 3,690 3,720 3,750 

Total Other Wastes 33,500 37,780 42,750 58,700 60,840 64,830 65,980 67,160 68,030 

Total MSW Generated - Weight 88,120 121,060 151,640 205,210 239,050 249,780 250,430 254,180 254,140 

* Generation before materials recovery or combustion. 

Details may not add to totals due to rounding. 

† Other than food products. 

Neg. = Less than 5,000 tons or 0.05 percent. 

Source: Franklin Associates, A Division of ERG 

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Chapter 2 	 Characterization of Municipal Solid Waste by Weight
 

Table 19
 

PRODUCTS GENERATED* IN THE MUNICIPAL WASTE STREAM, 1960 TO 2007
 

(WITH DETAIL ON CONTAINERS AND PACKAGING)
 

(In percent of total generation)
 

Percent of Total Generation 

Products 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2004 2005 2006 2007 

Durable Goods 

(Detail in Table 12) 

11.3% 12.1% 14.4% 14.5% 16.3% 17.3% 17.7% 17.7% 17.9% 

Nondurable Goods 

(Detail in Table 15) 

19.7% 20.7% 22.7% 25.4% 26.8% 25.8% 25.4% 25.3% 24.5% 

Containers and Packaging 

Glass Packaging 

Beer and Soft Drink Bottles 1.6% 4.6% 4.4% 2.7% 2.4% 2.8% 2.9% 3.0% 3.0% 

Wine and Liquor Bottles 1.2% 1.6% 1.6% 1.0% 0.8% 0.6% 0.7% 0.7% 0.7% 

Food and Other Bottles & Jars 4.2% 3.7% 3.2% 2.0% 1.4% 0.9% 0.9% 0.9% 0.8% 

Total Glass Packaging 7.0% 9.8% 9.2% 5.8% 4.6% 4.3% 4.5% 4.5% 4.5% 

Steel Packaging 

Beer and Soft Drink Cans 0.7% 1.3% 0.3% 0.1% Neg. Neg. Neg. Neg. Neg. 

Food and Other Cans 4.3% 2.9% 1.9% 1.2% 1.1% 1.0% 0.9% 1.0% 1.0% 

Other Steel Packaging 0.3% 0.2% 0.2% 0.1% 0.1% 0.1% 0.1% 0.1% 0.1% 

Total Steel Packaging 5.3% 4.4% 2.4% 1.4% 1.2% 1.1% 0.9% 1.1% 1.1% 

Aluminum Packaging 

Beer and Soft Drink Cans Neg. 0.1% 0.6% 0.8% 0.6% 0.6% 0.6% 0.6% 0.6% 

Other Cans Neg. Neg. Neg. Neg. Neg. Neg. Neg. 0.04% 0.02% 

Foil and Closures 0.2% 0.3% 0.3% 0.2% 0.2% 0.2% 0.2% 0.2% 0.2% 

Total Aluminum Packaging 0.2% 0.5% 0.8% 0.9% 0.8% 0.8% 0.8% 0.8% 0.7% 

Paper & Paperboard Pkg 

Corrugated Boxes 8.3% 10.5% 11.3% 11.7% 12.6% 12.6% 12.4% 12.4% 12.3% 

Milk Cartons 0.5% 0.2% 0.2% 0.2% 0.2% 0.2% 0.2% 

Folding Cartons 2.5% 2.1% 2.4% 2.2% 2.2% 2.1% 2.2% 

Other Paperboard Packaging 4.4% 4.0% 0.2% 0.1% 0.1% 0.1% 0.1% 0.1% 0.1% 

Bags and Sacks 2.2% 1.2% 0.6% 0.5% 0.4% 0.4% 0.4% 

Wrapping Papers 0.1% 0.1% Neg. Neg. Neg. Neg. Neg. 

Other Paper Packaging 3.3% 3.1% 0.6% 0.5% 0.7% 0.6% 0.6% 0.6% 0.5% 

Total Paper & Board Pkg 16.0% 17.7% 17.4% 15.9% 16.7% 16.1% 15.8% 15.7% 15.7% 

Plastics Packaging 

Soft Drink Bottles 0.2% 0.2% 0.3% 0.3% 0.3% 0.4% 0.4% 

Milk Bottles 0.2% 0.3% 0.3% 0.3% 0.3% 0.3% 0.3% 

Other Containers 0.1% 0.8% 0.6% 0.7% 1.1% 1.3% 1.2% 1.3% 1.5% 

Bags and Sacks 0.3% 0.5% 0.7% 0.7% 0.7% 0.7% 0.4% 

Wraps 0.6% 0.7% 1.1% 1.2% 1.1% 1.1% 1.3% 

Subtotal Bags, Sacks, and Wraps 0.8% 1.2% 1.8% 1.9% 1.8% 1.8% 1.6% 

Other Plastics Packaging 0.1% 1.0% 0.5% 1.0% 1.2% 1.3% 1.3% 1.3% 1.5% 

Total Plastics Packaging 0.1% 1.7% 2.2% 3.4% 4.7% 5.1% 5.0% 5.1% 5.4% 

Wood Packaging 2.3% 1.7% 2.6% 4.0% 3.4% 3.4% 3.4% 3.3% 3.4% 

Other Misc. Packaging 0.1% 0.1% 0.1% 0.1% 0.1% 0.1% 0.1% 0.1% 0.1% 

Total Containers & Pkg 31.1% 36.0% 34.7% 31.4% 31.5% 30.9% 30.5% 30.6% 30.9% 

Total Product Wastes† 62.0% 68.8% 71.8% 71.4% 74.5% 74.0% 73.7% 73.6% 73.2% 

Other Wastes 

Food Scraps 13.8% 10.6% 8.6% 10.1% 11.2% 11.8% 12.1% 12.2% 12.5% 

Yard Trimmings 22.7% 19.2% 18.1% 17.1% 12.8% 12.7% 12.8% 12.7% 12.8% 

Miscellaneous Inorganic Wastes 1.5% 1.5% 1.5% 1.4% 1.5% 1.5% 1.5% 1.5% 1.5% 

Total Other Wastes 38.0% 31.2% 28.2% 28.6% 25.5% 26.0% 26.3% 26.4% 26.8% 

Total MSW Generated - % 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 

* Generation before materials recovery or combustion. 

Details may not add to totals due to rounding. 

†	 Other than food products. 

Neg. = Less than 5,000 tons or 0.05 percent. 

Source: Franklin Associates, A Division of ERG 

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Chapter 2 Characterization of Municipal Solid Waste by Weight
 

Table 20
 

RECOVERY* OF PRODUCTS IN MUNICIPAL SOLID WASTE, 1960 TO 2007
 

(WITH DETAIL ON CONTAINERS AND PACKAGING)
 

(In thousands of tons)
 

Thousands of Tons 

Products 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2004 2005 2006 2007 

Durable Goods 

(Detail in Table 13) 

350 940 1,360 3,460 6,580 7,750 7,880 7,990 7,990 

Nondurable Goods 

(Detail in Table 16) 

2,390 3,730 4,670 8,800 17,560 19,420 19,770 21,050 21,760 

Containers and Packaging 

Glass Packaging 

Beer and Soft Drink Bottles 90 140 730 1,890 1,530 2,150 2,200 2,300 2,660 

Wine and Liquor Bottles 10 10 20 210 430 240 250 250 250 

Food and Other Bottles & Jars Neg. Neg. Neg. 520 920 340 350 330 310 

Total Glass Packaging 100 150 750 2,620 2,880 2,730 2,800 2,880 3,220 

Steel Packaging 

Beer and Soft Drink Cans 10 20 50 40 Neg. Neg. Neg. Neg. Neg. 

Food and Other Cans 20 60 150 590 1,530 1,500 1,340 1,580 1,570 

Other Steel Packaging Neg. Neg. Neg. 60 160 160 160 160 160 

Total Steel Packaging 30 80 200 690 1,690 1,660 1,500 1,740 1,730 

Aluminum Packaging 

Beer and Soft Drink Cans Neg. 10 320 990 830 670 650 650 690 

Other Cans Neg. Neg. Neg. Neg. Neg. Neg. Neg. Neg. Neg. 

Foil and Closures Neg. Neg. Neg. 20 30 40 40 40 40 

Total Aluminum Pkg Neg. 10 320 1,010 860 710 690 690 730 

Paper & Paperboard Pkg 

Corrugated Boxes 2,520 2,760 6,390 11,530 20,330 21,440 22,100 22,630 22,990 

Milk Cartons Neg. Neg. Neg. Neg. Neg. Neg. Neg. 

Folding Cartons 520 340 410 960 1,190 1,220 1,510 

Other Paperboard Packaging Neg. Neg. Neg. Neg. Neg. Neg. Neg. 

Bags and Sacks Neg. 200 300 320 320 360 420 

Wrapping Papers Neg. Neg. Neg. Neg. Neg. Neg. Neg. 

Other Paper Packaging 220 350 300 Neg. Neg. Neg. Neg. Neg. Neg. 

Total Paper & Board Pkg 2,740 3,110 7,210 12,070 21,040 22,720 23,610 24,210 24,920 

Plastics Packaging 

Soft Drink Bottles 10 140 290 290 290 290 370 

Milk Bottles Neg. 20 210 230 230 220 230 

Other Containers Neg. Neg. Neg. 20 260 440 440 460 520 

Bags and Sacks 

Wraps 

Subtotal Bags, Sacks, and Wraps Neg. 60 180 190 230 360 380 

Other Plastics Packaging Neg. Neg. Neg. 20 90 90 90 180 90 

Total Plastics Packaging Neg. Neg. 10 260 1,030 1,240 1,280 1,510 1,590 

Wood Packaging Neg. Neg. Neg. 130 1,240 1,290 1,310 1,310 1,320 

Other Misc. Packaging Neg. Neg. Neg. Neg. Neg. Neg. Neg. Neg. Neg. 

Total Containers & Pkg 2,870 3,350 8,490 16,780 28,740 30,350 31,190 32,340 33,510 

Total Product Wastes† 5,610 8,020 14,520 29,040 52,880 57,520 58,840 61,380 63,260 

Other Wastes 

Food Scraps Neg. Neg. Neg. Neg. 680 660 690 680 810 

Yard Trimmings Neg. Neg. Neg. 4,200 15,770 19,810 19,860 20,100 20,900 

Miscellaneous Inorganic Wastes Neg. Neg. Neg. Neg. Neg. Neg. Neg. Neg. Neg. 

Total Other Wastes Neg. Neg. Neg. 4,200 16,450 20,470 20,550 20,780 21,710 

Total MSW Recovered - Weight 5,610 8,020 14,520 33,240 69,330 77,990 79,390 82,160 84,970 

* Recovery of postconsumer wastes; does not include converting/fabrication scrap. 

† Other than food products. 

Details may not add to totals due to rounding. 

Neg. = Less than 5,000 tons or 0.05 percent. 

Source: Franklin Associates, A Division of ERG 

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Chapter 2 Characterization of Municipal Solid Waste by Weight
 

Table 21 

RECOVERY* OF PRODUCTS IN MUNICIPAL SOLID WASTE, 1960 TO 2007 

(WITH DETAIL ON CONTAINERS AND PACKAGING) 

(In percent of generation of each product) 

Percent of Generation of Each Product 

Products 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2004 2005 2006 2007 

Durable Goods 

(Detail in Table 13) 

3.5% 6.4% 6.2% 11.6% 16.9% 17.9% 17.7% 17.8% 17.6% 

Nondurable Goods 

(Detail in Table 16) 

13.8% 14.9% 13.6% 16.9% 27.4% 30.2% 31.1% 32.7% 35.0% 

Containers and Packaging 

Glass Packaging 

Beer and Soft Drink Bottles 6.4% 2.5% 10.8% 33.5% 26.8% 30.7% 30.6% 30.7% 34.5% 

Wine and Liquor Bottles Neg. Neg. Neg. 10.3% 22.5% 15.3% 14.7% 14.9% 15.0% 

Food and Other Bottles & Jars Neg. Neg. Neg. 12.5% 26.9% 14.9% 14.8% 14.7% 14.8% 

Total Glass Packaging 1.6% 1.3% 5.4% 22.1% 26.1% 25.1% 24.9% 25.2% 28.1% 

Steel Packaging 

Beer and Soft Drink Cans 1.6% 1.3% 9.6% 26.7% Neg. Neg. Neg. Neg. Neg. 

Food and Other Cans Neg. 1.7% 5.3% 23.2% 58.2% 61.2% 62.9% 62.9% 64.3% 

Other Steel Packaging Neg. Neg. Neg. 30.0% 66.7% 66.7% 66.7% 66.7% 66.7% 

Total Steel Packaging Neg. 1.5% 5.5% 23.9% 58.9% 61.7% 63.3% 63.3% 64.6% 

Aluminum Packaging 

Beer and Soft Drink Cans Neg. 10.0% 37.6% 63.9% 54.6% 45.3% 44.8% 45.1% 48.6% 

Other Cans Neg. Neg. Neg. Neg. Neg. Neg. Neg. Neg. Neg. 

Foil and Closures Neg. Neg. Neg. 6.1% 7.9% 10.3% 10.0% 9.5% 9.8% 

Total Aluminum Pkg Neg. 1.8% 25.2% 53.2% 44.1% 37.0% 35.8% 35.0% 39.0% 

Paper & Paperboard Pkg 

Corrugated Boxes 34.4% 21.6% 37.4% 48.0% 67.3% 68.1% 71.5% 72.0% 73.6% 

Milk Cartons Neg. Neg. Neg. Neg. Neg. Neg. Neg. 

Folding Cartons Neg. Neg. 7.0% 17.7% 21.5% 22.4% 27.3% 

Other Paperboard Packaging Neg. Neg. Neg. Neg. Neg. Neg. Neg. 

Bags and Sacks Neg. Neg. 20.1% 25.2% 28.6% 33.3% 36.8% 

Wrapping Papers Neg. Neg. Neg. Neg. Neg. Neg. Neg. 

Other Paper Packaging 7.5% 9.2% 35.3% Neg. Neg. Neg. Neg. Neg. Neg. 

Total Paper & Board Pkg 19.4% 14.5% 27.4% 36.9% 52.7% 56.4% 59.6% 60.5% 62.4% 

Plastics Packaging 

Soft Drink Bottles 3.8% 32.6% 34.9% 34.1% 34.1% 30.9% 36.6% 

Milk Bottles Neg. 3.8% 30.4% 28.8% 28.8% 31.0% 28.0% 

Other Containers Neg. Neg. Neg. 1.4% 9.9% 14.0% 14.1% 13.4% 13.9% 

Bags and Sacks 

Wraps 

Subtotal Bags, Sacks, and Wraps Neg. 2.4% 4.3% 4.0% 5.2% 7.8% 9.1% 

Other Plastics Packaging Neg. Neg. Neg. 1.0% 3.2% 2.8% 2.8% 5.6% 2.3% 

Total Plastics Packaging Neg. Neg. Neg. 3.8% 9.2% 9.7% 10.3% 11.7% 11.7% 

Wood Packaging Neg. Neg. Neg. 1.6% 15.3% 15.3% 15.4% 15.4% 15.5% 

Other Misc. Packaging Neg. Neg. Neg. Neg. Neg. Neg. Neg. Neg. Neg. 

Total Containers & Pkg 10.5% 7.7% 16.1% 26.0% 38.1% 39.3% 40.8% 41.6% 42.7% 

Total Product Wastes† 10.3% 9.6% 13.3% 19.8% 29.7% 31.1% 31.9% 32.8% 34.0% 

Other Wastes 

Food Scraps Neg. Neg. Neg. Neg. 2.5% 2.2% 2.3% 2.2% 2.6% 

Yard Trimmings Neg. Neg. Neg. 12.0% 51.7% 62.4% 61.9% 62.0% 64.1% 

Miscellaneous Inorganic Wastes Neg. Neg. Neg. Neg. Neg. Neg. Neg. Neg. Neg. 

Total Other Wastes Neg. Neg. Neg. 7.2% 27.0% 31.6% 31.1% 30.9% 31.9% 

Total MSW Recovered - % 6.4% 6.6% 9.6% 16.2% 29.0% 31.2% 31.7% 32.3% 33.4% 

* Recovery of postconsumer wastes; does not include converting/fabrication scrap. 

† Other than food products. 

Details may not add to totals due to rounding. 

Neg. = Less than 5,000 tons or 0.05 percent. 

Source: Franklin Associates, A Division of ERG 

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Chapter 2 Characterization of Municipal Solid Waste by Weight
 

Table 22
 

PRODUCTS DISCARDED* IN THE MUNICIPAL WASTE STREAM, 1960 TO 2007
 

(WITH DETAIL ON CONTAINERS AND PACKAGING)
 

(In thousands of tons)
 

Thousands of Tons 

Products 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2004 2005 2006 2007 

Durable Goods 9,570 13,720 20,440 26,350 32,270 35,530 36,520 36,900 37,430 

(Detail in Table 14) 

Nondurable Goods 14,940 21,330 29,750 43,370 46,450 44,960 43,880 43,260 40,480 

(Detail in Table 17) 

Containers and Packaging 

Glass Packaging 

Beer and Soft Drink Bottles 1,310 5,440 6,010 3,750 4,180 4,860 4,980 5,200 5,050 

Wine and Liquor Bottles 1,070 1,890 2,430 1,820 1,480 1,330 1,450 1,430 1,420 

Food and Other Bottles & Jars 3,710 4,440 4,780 3,640 2,500 1,940 2,010 1,910 1,780 

Total Glass Packaging 6,090 11,770 13,220 9,210 8,160 8,130 8,440 8,540 8,250 

Steel Packaging 

Beer and Soft Drink Cans 630 1,550 470 110 Neg. Neg. Neg. Neg. Neg. 

Food and Other Cans 3,740 3,480 2,700 1,950 1,100 950 790 930 870 

Other Steel Packaging 260 270 240 140 80 80 80 80 80 

Total Steel Packaging 4,630 5,300 3,410 2,200 1,180 1,030 870 1,010 950 

Aluminum Packaging 

Beer and Soft Drink Cans Neg. 90 530 560 690 810 800 790 730 

Other Cans Neg. 60 40 20 50 50 80 110 40 

Foil and Closures 170 410 380 310 350 350 360 380 370 

Total Aluminum Pkg 170 560 950 890 1,090 1,210 1,240 1,280 1,140 

Paper & Paperboard Pkg 

Corrugated Boxes 4,810 10,000 10,690 12,480 9,880 10,050 8,830 8,800 8,240 

Milk Cartons 790 510 550 460 500 490 500 

Folding Cartons 3,300 3,960 5,410 4,450 4,340 4,230 4,020 

Other Paperboard Packaging 3,840 4,830 230 290 200 170 160 160 150 

Bags and Sacks 3,380 2,240 1,190 950 800 720 720 

Wrapping Papers 200 110 Neg. Neg. Neg. Neg. Neg. 

Other Paper Packaging 2,720 3,460 550 1,020 1,670 1,480 1,400 1,400 1,390 

Total Paper & Board Pkg 11,370 18,290 19,140 20,610 18,900 17,560 16,030 15,800 15,020 

Plastics Packaging 

Soft Drink Bottles 250 290 540 560 560 650 640 

Milk Bottles 230 510 480 570 570 490 590 

Other Containers 60 910 890 1,410 2,370 2,710 2,670 2,970 3,220 

Bags and Sacks 

Wraps 

Subtotal Bags, Sacks, and Wraps 1,230 2,410 4,020 4,560 4,220 4,270 3,810 

Other Plastics Packaging 60 1,180 790 2,020 2,750 3,180 3,120 3,020 3,780 

Total Plastics Packaging 120 2,090 3,390 6,640 10,160 11,580 11,140 11,400 12,040 

Wood Packaging 2,000 2,070 3,940 8,050 6,880 7,140 7,210 7,170 7,220 

Other Misc. Packaging 120 130 130 150 240 290 280 280 320 

Total Containers & Pkg 24,500 40,210 44,180 47,750 46,610 46,940 45,210 45,480 44,940 

Total Product Wastes† 49,010 75,260 94,370 117,470 125,330 127,430 125,610 125,640 122,850 

Other Wastes 

Food Scraps 12,200 12,800 13,000 20,800 26,130 28,750 29,530 30,360 30,840 

Yard Trimmings 20,000 23,200 27,500 30,800 14,760 11,960 12,210 12,300 11,730 

Miscellaneous Inorganic Wastes 1,300 1,780 2,250 2,900 3,500 3,650 3,690 3,720 3,750 

Total Other Wastes 33,500 37,780 42,750 54,500 44,390 44,360 45,430 46,380 46,320 

Total MSW Discarded - Weight 82,510 113,040 137,120 171,970 169,720 171,790 171,040 172,020 169,170 

* Discards after materials and compost recovery. In this table, discards include combustion with energy recovery. 

Does not include construction & demolition debris, industrial process wastes, or certain other wastes. 

† Other than food products. 

Neg. = Less than 5,000 tons or 0.05 percent. Details may not add to totals due to rounding. 

Source: Franklin Associates, A Division of ERG 

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Chapter 2 Characterization of Municipal Solid Waste by Weight
 

Table 23
 

PRODUCTS DISCARDED* IN THE MUNICIPAL WASTE STREAM, 1960 TO 2007
 

(WITH DETAIL ON CONTAINERS AND PACKAGING)
 

(In percent of total discards)
 

Percent of Total Discards 

Products 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2004 2005 2006 2007 

Durable Goods 

(Detail in Table 14) 

11.6% 12.1% 14.9% 15.3% 19.0% 20.7% 21.4% 21.5% 22.1% 

Nondurable Goods 

(Detail in Table 17) 

18.1% 18.9% 21.7% 25.2% 27.4% 26.2% 25.7% 25.1% 23.9% 

Containers and Packaging 

Glass Packaging 

Beer and Soft Drink Bottles 1.6% 4.8% 4.4% 2.2% 2.5% 2.8% 2.9% 3.0% 3.0% 

Wine and Liquor Bottles 1.3% 1.7% 1.8% 1.1% 0.9% 0.8% 0.8% 0.8% 0.8% 

Food and Other Bottles & Jars 4.5% 3.9% 3.5% 2.1% 1.5% 1.1% 1.2% 1.1% 1.1% 

Total Glass Packaging 7.4% 10.4% 9.6% 5.4% 4.8% 4.7% 4.9% 5.0% 4.9% 

Steel Packaging 

Beer and Soft Drink Cans 0.8% 1.4% 0.3% 0.1% Neg. Neg. Neg. Neg. Neg. 

Food and Other Cans 4.5% 3.1% 2.0% 1.1% 0.6% 0.6% 0.5% 0.5% 0.5% 

Other Steel Packaging 0.3% 0.2% 0.2% 0.1% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 

Total Steel Packaging 5.6% 4.7% 2.5% 1.3% 0.7% 0.6% 0.5% 0.6% 0.6% 

Aluminum Packaging 

Beer and Soft Drink Cans Neg. 0.1% 0.4% 0.3% 0.4% 0.5% 0.5% 0.5% 0.4% 

Other Cans Neg. Neg. Neg. Neg. Neg. Neg. Neg. Neg. Neg. 

Foil and Closures 0.2% 0.4% 0.3% 0.2% 0.2% 0.2% 0.2% 0.2% 0.2% 

Total Aluminum Pkg 0.2% 0.5% 0.7% 0.5% 0.6% 0.7% 0.7% 0.7% 0.7% 

Paper & Paperboard Pkg 

Corrugated Boxes 5.8% 8.8% 7.8% 7.3% 5.8% 5.9% 5.2% 5.1% 4.9% 

Milk Cartons 0.6% 0.3% 0.3% 0.3% 0.3% 0.3% 0.3% 

Folding Cartons 2.4% 2.3% 3.2% 2.6% 2.5% 2.5% 2.4% 

Other Paperboard Packaging 4.7% 4.3% 0.2% 0.2% 0.1% 0.1% 0.1% 0.1% 0.1% 

Bags and Sacks 2.5% 1.3% 0.7% 0.6% 0.5% 0.4% 0.4% 

Wrapping Papers 0.1% 0.1% Neg. Neg. Neg. Neg. Neg. 

Other Paper Packaging 3.3% 3.1% 0.4% 0.6% 1.0% 0.9% 0.8% 0.8% 0.8% 

Total Paper & Board Pkg 13.8% 16.2% 14.0% 12.0% 11.1% 10.2% 9.4% 9.2% 8.9% 

Plastics Packaging 

Soft Drink Bottles 0.2% 0.2% 0.3% 0.3% 0.3% 0.4% 0.4% 

Milk Bottles 0.2% 0.3% 0.3% 0.3% 0.3% 0.3% 0.3% 

Other Containers 0.1% 0.8% 0.6% 0.8% 1.4% 1.6% 1.6% 1.7% 1.9% 

Bags and Sacks 

Wraps 

Subtotal Bags, Sacks, and Wraps 0.9% 1.4% 2.4% 2.7% 2.5% 2.5% 2.3% 

Other Plastics Packaging 0.1% 1.0% 0.6% 1.2% 1.6% 1.9% 1.8% 1.8% 2.2% 

Total Plastics Packaging 0.1% 1.8% 2.5% 3.9% 6.0% 6.7% 6.5% 6.6% 7.1% 

Wood Packaging 2.4% 1.8% 2.9% 4.7% 4.1% 4.2% 4.2% 4.2% 4.3% 

Other Misc. Packaging 0.1% 0.1% 0.1% 0.1% 0.1% 0.2% 0.2% 0.2% 0.2% 

Total Containers & Pkg 29.7% 35.6% 32.2% 27.8% 27.5% 27.3% 26.4% 26.4% 26.6% 

Total Product Wastes† 59.4% 66.6% 68.8% 68.3% 73.8% 74.2% 73.4% 73.0% 72.6% 

Other Wastes 

Food Scraps 14.8% 11.3% 9.5% 12.1% 15.4% 16.7% 17.3% 17.6% 18.2% 

Yard Trimmings 24.2% 20.5% 20.1% 17.9% 8.7% 7.0% 7.1% 7.2% 6.9% 

Miscellaneous Inorganic Wastes 1.6% 1.6% 1.6% 1.7% 2.1% 2.1% 2.2% 2.2% 2.2% 

Total Other Wastes 40.6% 33.4% 31.2% 31.7% 26.2% 25.8% 26.6% 27.0% 27.4% 

Total MSW Discarded - % 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 

* Discards after materials and compost recovery. In this table, discards include combustion with energy recovery. 

Does not include construction & demolition debris, industrial process wastes, or certain other wastes. 

† Other than food products. 

Neg. = Less than 5,000 tons or 0.05 percent. Details may not add to totals due to rounding. 

Source: Franklin Associates, A Division of ERG 

92 
Chapter 2 Characterization of Municipal Solid Waste by Weight
 

Paper and Paperboard Containers and Packaging. Corrugated boxes are the largest 

single product category of MSW at 31.2 million tons generated, or 12.3 percent of total 

generation, in 2007. Corrugated boxes also represent the largest single category of product 

recovery; at 23.0 million tons of recovery in 2007, 73.6 percent of boxes generated were 

recovered. After recovery, 8.2 million tons of corrugated boxes were discarded, or 4.9 percent of 

MSW discards in 2007. 

Other paper and paperboard packaging in MSW includes milk cartons, folding boxes 

(e.g., cereal boxes, frozen food boxes, some department store boxes), bags and sacks, wrapping 

papers, and other paper and paperboard packaging (primarily set-up boxes such as shoe boxes). 

Overall, paper and paperboard containers and packaging totaled 39.9 million tons of MSW 

generation in 2007, or 15.7 percent of total generation. 

While recovery of corrugated boxes is by far the largest component of paper packaging 

recovery, smaller amounts of other paper packaging products are recovered (estimated at 1.9 

million tons in 2007). The overall recovery rate for paper and paperboard packaging in 2007 was 

62.4 percent. Other paper packaging such as folding boxes and sacks is mostly recovered as 

mixed papers. 

Plastic Containers and Packaging. Many different plastic resins are used to make a 

variety of packaging products. Some of these include polyethylene terephthalate (PET) soft drink 

and water bottles, high-density polyethylene (HDPE) milk and water jugs, film products 

(including bags and sacks) made of low-density polyethylene (LDPE), and other containers and 

other packaging (including coatings, closures, etc.) made of polyvinyl chloride, polystyrene, 

polypropylene, and other resins. Estimates of generation of plastic containers and packaging are 

based on data on resin sales by end use published annually by the American Chemistry Council’s 

annual plastics resin survey. 

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Chapter 2 Characterization of Municipal Solid Waste by Weight
 

Plastic containers and packaging have exhibited rapid growth in MSW, with generation 

increasing from 120,000 tons in 1960 (0.1 percent of generation) to 13.6 million tons in 2007 

(5.4 percent of MSW generation). (Note: plastic packaging as a category in this report does not 

include single-service plates and cups and trash bags, which are classified as nondurable goods.) 

Estimates of recovery of plastic products are based on data published annually by the 

American Chemistry Council supplemented with additional industry data. Plastic soft drink 

bottles were estimated to have been recovered at a 36.6 percent rate in 2007 (370,000 tons). 

Recovery of plastic milk and water bottles was estimated to have been 230,000 tons, or 28.0 

percent of generation. Overall, recovery of plastic containers and packaging was estimated to be 

1.6 million tons, or 11.7 percent in 2007. Discards of plastic packaging thus were 12.0 million 

tons in 2007, or 7.1 percent of total MSW generation. 

Wood Packaging. Wood packaging includes wood crates and pallets (mostly pallets). 

Data on production of wood packaging are from the National Wood Pallet and Container 

Association, and more recently, the USDA Forest Service Southern Research Station and 

Virginia Polytechnic Institute. In 2007, 8.5 million tons of wood pallets and other wood 

packaging were estimated to have been generated, or 3.4 percent of total MSW generation. 

Wood pallet recovery for recycling (usually by chipping for uses such as mulch or 

bedding material, but excluding wood combusted as fuel) was estimated at 1.3 million tons in 

2007. 

Accounting for pallet reuse and recovery for recycling, wood packaging discards were 7.2 

million tons in 2007, or 4.3 percent of total MSW discards. 

Other Packaging. Estimates are included for some other miscellaneous packaging such 

as bags made of textiles, small amounts of leather, and the like. These latter quantities are not 

well documented; it was estimated that 320,000 tons were generated in 2007. 

94 
 

 

Chapter 2 Characterization of Municipal Solid Waste by Weight
 

Summary of Products in Municipal Solid Waste 

The materials composition of municipal solid waste generation by product category is 

illustrated in Figure 14. This figure shows graphically that generation of durable goods has 

increased very gradually over the years. Nondurable goods and containers and packaging have 

accounted for the large increases in MSW generation. 

Figure 14. Generation of products in MSW, 1960 to 2007 

million tons 

250 

200 

150 

100 

50 

0 

Other Wastes 

Yard Trimmings Food Scraps 

Containers & Packaging 

Nondurable Goods 

Durable Goods 

1960 1965 1970 1975 1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 

The materials composition of nondurable goods in 2007 is shown in Figure 15. Paper and 

paperboard made up 69.2 percent of nondurables in MSW generation, with plastics contributing 

10.7 percent, and textiles 13.4 percent. Other materials contributed lesser percentages. After 

recovery for recycling, paper and paperboard were 56.2 percent of nondurable discards, with 

plastics being 16.5 percent, and textiles 17.0 percent. 

95 
Chapter 2 Characterization of Municipal Solid Waste by Weight
 

The materials composition of containers and packaging in MSW in 2007 is shown in 

Figure 16. By weight, paper and paperboard products made up 50.9 percent of containers and 

packaging generation; plastics accounted for 17.4 percent. Glass was 14.6 percent, wood was 

11.3 percent, and metals were 5.8 percent. 

The percentage of materials discards from containers and packaging is affected by 

recovery for recycling. After recovery for recycling, paper and paperboard dropped to 33.4 

percent of discards. Glass containers accounted for 18.4 percent of discards of containers and 

packaging, plastics were 26.8 percent, wood was 16.8 percent, and metals were 4.6 percent. 

96 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chapter 2 Characterization of Municipal Solid Waste by Weight
 

Figure 15. Nondurable goods generated and discarded*
 

in municipal solid waste, 2007
 

(In percent of total generation and discards)
 

Other 

Rubber & leather 

1 .6% 

Plastics 

10.7% 

Pape r & pape rbo ard 

69 .2% 

Te xtile s 

13 .4 % 

5 .1% 

Generation 

Other 

Pape r & p ap erb oard 

56.2% 

Plastics 

1 6.5 % 

Te xtile s 

17 .0 % 

7 .9% 

Rub be r & leather 

2.4 % 

Discards
 

*Discards in this figure include combustion with energy recovery. 

97 
 

 

 

 

 

 

Chapter 2 Characterization of Municipal Solid Waste by Weight
 

Figure 16. Containers and packaging generated and discarded*
 

in municipal solid waste, 2007
 

(In percent of total generation and discards)
 

W ood, other 

Pap er & pape rbo ard 

5 0.9 % 

Glass 

Metals 

5.8% 

Plastics 

17 .4% 

11 .3% 

14 .6% 

Generation 

W ood, other 

Pape r & pape rbo ard 

33 .4% 

Glass 

P lastics 

26.8% 

16 .8% 

Metals 18.4% 

4.6% 

Discards 

*Discards in this figure include combustion with energy recovery. 

98 
Chapter 2 	 Characterization of Municipal Solid Waste by Weight
 

SUMMARY 

The data presented in this chapter can be summarized by the following observations: 

MSW Generation 

•	 Total generation of municipal solid waste in 2007 was 254.1 million tons, which 

was similar to 2006 when 254.2 million tons were generated. This compares to 

1990, when total generation of MSW was 205.2 million tons. 

•	 Paper and paperboard products made up the largest percentage of all the materials 

in MSW, at 32.7 percent of total generation. Generation of paper and paperboard 

products declined from 87.7 million tons in 2000 to 83.0 million tons in 2007. 

Generation of newspapers has been declining since 2000, and this trend is 

expected to continue, partly due to decreased page size, but also due to increased 

use of electronic communication of news. Generation of office-type (high grade) 

papers also has been in decline, due at least partially to increased use of electronic 

transmission of reports, etc. Paper and paperboard products have ranged between 

32 and 35 percent of generation since 2004. 

•	 Yard trimmings comprised the second largest material category, estimated at 32.6 

million tons, or 12.8 percent of total generation, in 2007. This compares to 35.0 

million tons (17.1 percent of total generation) in 1990. This decline is largely due 

to state legislation discouraging yard trimmings disposal in landfills, including 

source reduction measures such as backyard composting and leaving grass 

trimmings on the yard. 

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Chapter 2 	 Characterization of Municipal Solid Waste by Weight
 

•	 Plastic products generation in 2007 was 30.7 million tons, or 12.1 percent of 

generation. This was an increase of 920,000 tons from 2006 to 2007. This increase 

in plastics generation came mostly from the containers and packaging category. 

Plastics generation has grown from 8.3 percent of generation in 1990 to 12.1 

percent in 2007. 

MSW Recovery 

•	 Recovery of materials in MSW increased from 69.3 million tons in 2000 (29.0 

percent of total generation) to 85.0 million tons in 2007 (33.4 percent of 

generation). 

•	 Recovery of products and other wastes (food scraps and yard trimmings) in MSW 

increased by 2.8 million tons from 2006 to 2007. Recovery of paper and 

paperboard products, the largest component of recovery, increased from 51.4 

percent in 2006 to 54.5 percent in 2007. 

•	 The increase in recovery of paper and paperboard products over the longer term 

has been due to increases in recovery, over time, from all categories: newspapers, 

books, magazines, office papers, directories, Standard mail (advertisements, 

circulars, etc.), and other commercial printing. Between 2006 and 2007, the key 

categories showing increases in recovery rates were newspapers, mail, other 

commercial printing, and corrugated boxes. 

•	 The newspaper recovery rate increased from 75.3 percent to 77.8 percent between 

2006 and 2007. Newspaper generation decreased from 12.4 million tons in 2006 

to 11.0 million tons in 2007. As generation of newspapers declines, this raises a 

question as to whether much increase in tonnage of newspapers recovered can be 

achieved. 

100 
Chapter 2 	 Characterization of Municipal Solid Waste by Weight
 

• Containers and packaging recovery increased from 32.3 million tons in 2006 to 

33.5 million tons in 2007; percentage recovery increased from 41.6 percent to 

42.7 percent. Nondurable goods recovery increased from 21.1 million tons in 

2006 to 21.8 million tons in 2007; percentage recovery increased from 32.7 

percent to 35.0 percent. 

•	 Measured by tonnage, the most recovered products and materials in 2007 were 

corrugated boxes (23.0 million tons), yard trimmings (20.9 million tons), 

newspapers (8.5 million tons), high grade office papers (4.3 million tons), other 

commercial printing (3.6 million tons), glass containers (3.2 million tons), major 

appliances (2.4 million tons), standard mail (2.4 million tons), rubber tires (1.7 

million tons), folding cartons (1.5 million tons), and wood packaging (1.3 million 

tons). Collectively, these products accounted for about 86 percent of total MSW 

recovery in 2007. 

•	 Measured by percentage of generation, products with the highest recovery rates in 

2007 were lead-acid batteries (99.2 percent), newspapers (77.8 percent), 

corrugated boxes (73.6 percent), office-type papers (71.8 percent), major 

appliances (67.1 percent), steel packaging (64.6 percent), yard trimmings (64.1 

percent), other commercial printing (57.3 percent), aluminum cans (48.6 percent), 

standard mail (40.3 percent), magazines (39.6 percent), paper bags and sacks 

(36.8 percent), and PET soft drink bottles (36.6 percent). 

Long Term Trends 

•	 Generation of MSW has increased (except in recession years), from 88.1 million 

tons in 1960 to 254.1 million tons in 2007. 

101 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chapter 2 	 Characterization of Municipal Solid Waste by Weight
 

•	 Generation of paper and paperboard, the largest material component of MSW, 

fluctuates from year to year, but has decreased from 87.7 million tons in 2000 to 

83.0 million tons in 2007. Generation of yard trimmings, the second largest 

component, has increased since 2000. Generation of other material categories also 

fluctuates from year to year, but overall MSW generation has increased since 

2000, except 2007, which saw a minimal decline from 2006, primarily due to the 

decline in paper and paperboard generation between 2006 and 2007 – offsetting 

increases in other categories. 

•	 In percentage of total MSW generation, recovery for recycling (including 

composting) did not exceed 15 percent until 1990. Growth in the recovery rate to 

current levels (33.4 percent) reflects a rapid increase in the infrastructure for 

recovery and expansion of domestic and foreign markets over the last decade. 

•	 Recovery (as a percentage of generation) of most materials in MSW has increased 

dramatically over the last 37 years. Some examples: 

1970	 1980 1990 2000 2007 

Paper and paperboard 15% 21% 28% 43% 55% 

Glass	 1% 5% 20% 23% 24% 

Metals	 4% 8% 24% 35% 35% 

Plastics	 Neg. <1% 2% 6% 7% 

Yard trimmings	 Neg. Neg. 12% 52% 64% 

Rubber tires	 13% 6% 12% 26% 35% 

Lead-acid batteries	 76% 70% 97% 93% 99% 

Neg. = less than 5,000 tons or 0.05 percent. 

102 
Chapter 2 Characterization of Municipal Solid Waste by Weight
 

CHAPTER 2 


REFERENCES
 

GENERAL 

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Municipal Solid Waste in The United States: 2005 Facts 

and Figures. EPA530-R-06-011. October 2006. http://www.epa.gov/epaoswer/nonhw/muncpl/pubs/mswchar05.pdf. 

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Municipal Solid Waste Generation, Recycling, and 

Disposal in the United States: Facts and Figures for 2003. EPA530-F-05-003. April 2005. 

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Municipal Solid Waste in The United States: 2001 Facts 

and Figures. EPA/530-R-03-011. October 2003. http://www.epa.gov/epaoswer/nonhw/muncpl/pubs/msw2001.pdf. 

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Municipal Solid Waste in The United States: 2000 Facts 

and Figures. EPA/530-R-02-001. June 2002. http://www.epa.gov/epaoswer/nonhw/muncpl/pubs/report-00.pdf. 

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Municipal Solid Waste in The United States: 1999 Facts 

and Figures. EPA/530-R-01-014. July 2001. 

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Characterization of Municipal Solid Waste in the United 

States: 1997 Update. EPA/530-R-98-007. May 1998. 

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Characterization of Municipal Solid Waste in the United 

States: 1996 Update. EPA/530-R-97-015. June 1997. 

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Chapter 2 Characterization of Municipal Solid Waste by Weight
 

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Characterization of Municipal Solid Waste in the United 

States: 1995 Update. EPA/530-R-96-001. November 1995. 

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Characterization of Municipal Solid Waste in the United 

States: 1994 Update. EPA/530-R-94-042. November 1994. 

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Characterization of Municipal Solid Waste in the United 

States: 1992 Update. EPA/530-R-92-019. July 1992. 

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Characterization of Municipal Solid Waste in the United 

States: 1990 Update. EPA/530-SW-90-042. June 1991. 

Franklin, M.A. Characterization of Municipal Solid Waste in the United States, 1960 to 2000 

(Update 1988). U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. EPA/530-SW-88-033. NTIS PB88­

232780/WEP. March 1988. 

Franklin, M.A. Characterization of Municipal Solid Waste in the United States, 1960 to 2000. 

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. REPT-15-3490-00. NTIS PB87-178323/WEP. July 

1986. 

ALUMINUM CONTAINERS AND PACKAGING 

The Aluminum Association. Aluminum Statistical Review. Various years. 


The Aluminum Association. www.aluminum.org. 


Can Manufacturers Institute. Can Shipments Report. Various years. 


Personal Communication with a representative of the Can Manufacturers Institute. February
 

2006. 


104 
Chapter 2 Characterization of Municipal Solid Waste by Weight
 

Resource Recycling’s Container Recycling Update. Various issues. 


U.S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of the Census. Current Industrial Reports. “Closures for 

Containers.” MQ34H. Various years. 

U.S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of the Census. Merchandise Trade (7602.00.0030 – 

Aluminum Used Beverage Container Scrap SEC 9100). 

CARPETS AND RUGS 

Carpet America Recovery Effort (CARE). Annual Report. Various years. 


www.carpetrecovery.org. 


The Carpet and Rug Institute. Carpet & Rug Industry Review. Various years. 


The Carpet and Rug Institute. Sustainability Report 2000. 2001. 


Modern Plastics. “Resin Statistics.” January issue. Various years. 


Personal communication with a representative of the Carpet and Rug Institute. July 2002. 

Personal communication with a representative of the Polyurethane Foam Association. The Center 

for the Polyurethanes Industry (CPI). August 2007 and July 2008. 

Rauch Associates, Inc. The Rauch Guide to the U.S. Adhesives and Sealants Industry. ISBN O932157-05-X. 

U.S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of the Census. Current Industrial Reports. “Carpets and 

Rugs.” MA22Q. Various years. 

105 
 

Chapter 2 Characterization of Municipal Solid Waste by Weight
 

U.S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of the Census. Current Industrial Reports. “Carpets and 

Rugs.” MA314Q. Various years. 

CONSUMER ELECTRONICS 

Alster, Norm. “Are Old PC’s Poisoning Us?” Business Week. June 2000. 


“Annual and Monthly Buying Guide.” Consumer Reports. Various Issues 1984 – 1995. 


Best Buy website. www.bestbuy.com
 

Consumer Electronics Association. Fast Facts Data. Various years. 


Dana Chase Publications, Inc. Appliance Statistical Review. Various years. 


Dann, Carolyn. End-of-Life Electronics Equipment Pilot Collection Program Summary Report -


Alachua County, Florida. October 1999. Center for Environmental Communications. 


Franklin County Solid Waste Management District. Consumer Electronics Collection Report
 

DEP Technical Assistance Grant. October 1998. Franklin County, MA. Average age of products 

recovered. 

Jun Fujimoto, Tetsuya Tamura, et al. NEC Corporation. A New Era Computer Product Focused 

on Environmentally Relevant Factors. 1995 IEEE International Symposium on Electronics and 

the Environment. May 1995. Composition of notebook-type computers. 

Lehman, Richard L., Reggie Caudill, Julian Kliokis. Processes and Products for Utilization of 

Reclaimed CRT Glass. Presentation at Demanufacturing of Electronic Equipment for Reuse and 

106 
 

 

 

Chapter 2 Characterization of Municipal Solid Waste by Weight
 

Recycling [DEER2] Information Exchange. October 26 - 27, 1999. Center for Ceramics 

Research. Rutgers University. 

Materials For The Future Foundation. The Monitor of Electronics Recycling Issues. CRT 

Smelting. January 2002. www.materials4future.org. 

Materials For The Future Foundation. The Monitor of Electronics Recycling Issues. CRT Glass 

to CRT Glass Recycling. September 2001. www.materials4future.org. 

Matthews, H. Scott, Francis C. McMichael, et al. Disposition and End-of-Life Options for 

Personal Computers. Green Design Initiative Technical Report #97-10. Carnegie Mellon 

University. 

Minnesota Office of Environmental Assistance. Management of waste electronic appliances. 

August 1995. 

Minnesota Office of Environmental Assistance. Recycling Used Electronics. Report on 

Minnesota’s Demonstration Project. July 2001. 

National Recycling Coalition. Electronics Recycling Initiative. Contracting for Proper Recovery 

and Recycling of Electronic Products. March 2, 2000. www.nrc-recycle.org/programs 

National Recycling Coalition. Electronics Recycling Initiative. Proper Management of End-ofLife Electronic Products (other than CRTs). January 27, 2000. www.nrc-recycle.org/programs 

National Recycling Coalition. Electronics Recycling Initiative. State and Local Policy Initiative 

and Voluntary Programs. December 2, 1999. www.nrc-recycle.org/programs 

National Recycling Coalition. Electronics Recycling Initiative. Trends in Electronics Recycling 

in the United States. November 3, 1999. www.nrc-recycle.org/programs 

107 
Chapter 2 Characterization of Municipal Solid Waste by Weight
 

National Safety Council. Electronic Product Recovery and Recycling Baseline Report. May 

1999. 

Northeast Recycling Council. Setting Up & Operating Electronics Recycling/Reuse Programs: A 

Manual for Municipalities & Counties. March 2002. www.nerc.org. 

Pasco County and Center for Environmental Communications. The Recycling and 

Demanufacturing of Computers and Electronic Equipment in Pasco County, Florida. April 2000. 

Pitts, Greg. Computer and Electronics Disposition Eco-Industrial Park. Presentation at 

Demanufacturing of Electronic Equipment for Reuse and Recycling [DEER2

] Information 

Exchange. October 26 - 27, 1999. 

Southern Waste Information eXchange, Inc. SWIX. Used TV & Computer Recycling & 

Management in Florida: A Resource Guide. September 1999. 

U.S. Census Bureau. U.S. Department of Commerce. Economics and Statistics Administration. 

Economic Census. Industry Series. Audio and Video Equipment Manufacturing. EC97M-3343A. 

Various years. 

U.S. Census Bureau. U.S. Department of Commerce. Current Industrial Report: Communication 

Equipment. Various years. 

U.S. Census Bureau. U.S. Department of Commerce. Current Industrial Report: Computers and 

Office and Accounting Machines. Various years. 

U.S. Census Bureau. U.S. Department of Commerce. Current Industrial Report: Consumer 

Electronics. Various years. 

108 
Chapter 2 Characterization of Municipal Solid Waste by Weight
 

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Electronics Waste Management in the United States 

Approach 1. July 2008. 530-R-08-009. 

http://www.epa.gov/waste/conserve/materials/ecycling/docs/app-1.pdf 

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Electronics Waste Management in the United States 

Approach 1. April 2007. EPA530-R-07-004a. 

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Electronics Waste Management in the United States 

Approach 2. April 2007. EPA530-R-07-004b. 

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Analysis of Five Community Consumer/Residential 

Collections. End-Of-Life Electronic and Electrical Equipment. April 1999. EPA-901-R-98-003. 

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Energy and Greenhouse Gas Factors for Personal 

Computers. Franklin Associates, Ltd. August 7, 2002. Contract No. 68-W-99-001. 

U.S. International Trade Commission. Tariff and trade online database. 

http://dataweb.usitc.gov/scripts/user_set.asp 

DISPOSABLE DIAPERS 

Franklin Associates, A Division of ERG. Confidential industry sources. September 2007 and 


previous years. 


Kimberly-Clark. Annual Report. Various years. 


Ninner, N.R., A.M. Sterling, and A.R. Liss. Female Incontinence. 1980. 


U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 

National Center for Health Statistics. 

109 
Chapter 2 Characterization of Municipal Solid Waste by Weight
 

FOOD SCRAPS 

Allegheny County, PA. Establishing a Pre-Consumer Food Waste Collection and Composting 

Pilot Program in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania. RW Beck. January 30, 2003. 

California Integrated Waste Management Board. Waste Disposal and Diversion Findings for 

Selected Industry Groups. Cascadia Consulting Group. June 2006. 

California Integrated Waste Management Board. Waste Disposal Rates for Business Types. 

www.ciwmb.ca.gov/. 

City of Wayzata, MN. Curbside Collection of Source-Separated Organics in the City of Wayzata 

Final Report - Phase 1. January 2005. 

City of Wayzata, MN. Curbside Collection Of Source-Separated Organics in the City of Wayzata 

Final Report - Phase 2. June 2005. http://wayzata.govoffice.com 

Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection. Garbage Gazette. Jan/Feb, 2002. 

Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection. Identifying, Quantifying, and Mapping 

Food Residuals from Connecticut Businesses and Institutions. Draper/Lennon, Inc. September, 

2001. 

Farrell, Molly. “Evaluating Residential Organics Collection Pilot.” BioCycle. March 2001. 

Food Manufacturers Institute. “Reducing Waste Disposal Costs: How to Evaluate the Benefits of 

Composting in the Supermarket Industry.” Composting Workbook. 1994. 

Goldstein, Nora. Unpublished analyses of the food waste composting industry. August 2006, 

August 2007, and August 2008. 

110 
 

 

Chapter 2 Characterization of Municipal Solid Waste by Weight
 

Goldstein, Nora. “National Trends in Food Residuals Composting Part I.” BioCycle. July 1997. 


Goldstein, Nora and Dave Block. “Nationwide Inventory of Food Residuals Composting Part II.”
 

BioCycle. August 1997. 


Goldstein, Nora, Jim Glenn, and Kevin Gray. “Nationwide Overview of Food Residuals
 

Composting.” BioCycle. August 1998. 


Grocery Committee on Solid Waste. Composting Task Force Report. October 24, 1991. 


Hinshaw, Jane, and Ivan Braun. “Targeting Commercial Businesses for Recycling.” Resource
 

Recycling. November 1991. 


King County Department of Natural Resources and Parks, Solid Waste Division. 2003 King 


County Residential Food Scrap Collection Final Report. May 2004. 

Kunzler, Conni, and Molly Farrell. “Food Service Composting Projects Update.” BioCycle. May
 

1996. 


Kunzler, Conni, and Rebecca Roe. “Food Service Composting Projects on the Rise.” BioCycle.
 

April 1995. 


Luboff, Christine, and Karen May. “Measuring Generation of Food Residuals.” July 1995. 


Marion, James, New York State Department of Corrections. Presentation at the BioCycle
 

conference. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 1994. 


Newell, Ty, Elizabeth Markstahler, and Matthew Snyder. “Commercial Food Waste from 

Restaurants and Grocery Stores.” Resource Recycling. February 1993. 

111 
Chapter 2 Characterization of Municipal Solid Waste by Weight
 

Personal communication with Brian Mathews Senior Program Manager StopWaste.org. Alameda 

County, CA. January 2008. 

San Francisco Department of the Environment. Waste Characterization Study. Environmental 

Science Associates (ESA). August 2005. 

Savage, George M. “The History and Utility of Waste Characterization Studies.” MSW 

Management. May/June 1994. 

Shanklin, Carol W. “Targeting the Food Service Sector.” BioCycle. April 2001. 

Tucker, Marvin. “Examining Collection of all Residential Organics.” Resource Recycling. 

November 2001. 

U.S. Department of Agriculture. “Estimating and Addressing America’s Food Losses.” 

Economic Research Service. www.econ.ag.gov/. July 1997. 

U.S. Department of Agriculture. “Food Consumption, Prices, and Expenditures, 1996.” 

Economic Research Service. Judith Jones Putnam. April 1996. 

U.S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of the Census. “Combined Annual and Revised Monthly 

Retail Trade.” Current Business Reports. BR/95-RV. 

U.S. EPA. “Quantification of Food Residual Composted – 2004 and 2005.” Summary report. 

Nora Goldstein, JG Press. October 2006. 

U.S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of the Census. “Monthly Retail Trade.” Current Business 

Reports. Various years. 

112 
Chapter 2 Characterization of Municipal Solid Waste by Weight
 

U.S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of the Census. Current Population Reports. Various 

years. 

U.S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of the Census. Statistical Abstract of the United States. 

Various years. 

U.S. Department of Commerce. “Trends and Forecasts: Retail Sales.” U.S. Industrial Outlook 

1994. 

Walsh, Patrick, Wayne Pferdehirt, and Phil O’Leary. “Collection of Recyclables from 

Multifamily Housing and Businesses.” Waste Age. April 1993. 

WRAP. United Kingdom. Food Waste Report The Food We Waste. April 2008. 

http://wrap.s3.amazonaws.com/the-food-we-waste.pdf 

FURNITURE AND FURNISHINGS 

Consumer Product Safety Commission. “Status Report: Peer Reviewed CPSC Staff Research 

Reports on Upholstered Furniture Flammability.” December 2006. 

http://www.cpsc.gov/LIBRARY/FOIA/foia07/brief/ufurn1.pdf 

Smith, F.L. A Solid Waste Estimation Procedure: Material Flows Approach. U.S. Environmental 

Protection Agency. EPA/530-SW-147. May 1974. 

Spendlove, M.J. “A Profile of the Nonferrous Secondary Metals Industry.” U.S. Bureau of 

Mines. Proceedings of the Second Mineral Waste Utilization Symposium. 1970. 

U.S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of the Census. Economic Census of Manufactures and 

Annual Survey of Manufactures. Various years. 

113 
Chapter 2 Characterization of Municipal Solid Waste by Weight
 

U.S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of the Census. Current Industrial Reports. “Average 

Weight and Width of Broadwoven Fabrics (Gray).” MC-22T. Various years. 

U.S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of the Census. Current Industrial Reports. “Average 

Weight and Width of Broadwoven Fabrics (Gray).” MQ313T various years. 

U.S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of the Census. Current Industrial Reports. “Office 

Furniture.” MA-25H. Various years. 

U.S. International Trade Commission. Tariff and trade online database. 

http://dataweb.usitc.gov/scripts/user_set.asp 

GLASS CONTAINERS 

California Department of Conservation. Biannual Report of Beverage Container Sales, Returns, 

Redemption, and Recycling Rates. May 9, 2008 

http://www.conservation.ca.gov/dor/Notices/Documents/Biannual.pdf 

Bingham, T.H., et al. An Evaluation of the Effectiveness and Cost of Regulatory and Fiscal 

Policy Instruments on Product Packaging. Research Triangle Institute for the U.S. 

Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Solid Waste Management. March 1974. 

Brewers Almanac. Various years. 

Egan, Katherine. “Glass Recycling Rate Drops Seven Percent in 1997.” Waste Age’s Recycling 

Times. June 1, 1998. 

Franklin Associates, Ltd. Post-consumer Solid Waste and Resource Recovery Baseline. Prepared 

for the Resource Conservation Committee. May 16, 1979. 

114 
Chapter 2 Characterization of Municipal Solid Waste by Weight
 

Franklin, W.E., et al. Base Line Forecasts of Resource Recovery, 1972 to 1990. Midwest 

Research Institute for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Solid Waste 

Management Programs. March 1975. 

Glass Packaging Institute. Annual Report. Various years. 

Personal communication with Kevin Dietly of Northbridge Environmental Management
 

Consultants. May 2006. 


Personal communication with a representative of Strategic Materials. 2000 and 2005. 


Personal communication with a representative of Waste Management. July 2007. 


Resource Recycling, Container Recycling Update. Various issues. 


The ULS Report. "A Study of Packaging Efficiency as it Relates to Waste Prevention". February
 

2007. http://www.americanchemistry.com/plastics/doc.asp?CID=1593&DID=6072 


U.S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of the Census. Current Industrial Reports. “Glass 

Containers.” M32G. Various years. 

U.S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of the Census. National Trade Data Bank. Various years. 

U.S. Department of Commerce. U.S. Exports, Schedule B Commodity by Country - Domestic 

Merchandise. FT 447. Various years. 

U.S. Department of Commerce. U.S. Imports for Consumption. FT 247. Various years. 

115 
Chapter 2 Characterization of Municipal Solid Waste by Weight
 

U.S. Department of Commerce. U.S. Imports of Merchandise for Consumption. FT 110 and FT 

125. Various years. 

U.S. International Trade Commission. Tariff and trade online database. 

http://dataweb.usitc.gov/scripts/user_set.asp 

LEAD-ACID BATTERIES 

American Automobile Manufacturers Association. AAMA Motor Vehicle Facts and Figures.
 

Various years. 


Battery Council International. Industry Statistics. Various years. 


Battery Council International. National Recycling Rate Study. Various years. 


Battery Council International. Lead-acid Battery Shipments 1937 – 2007. 


http://www.batterycouncil.org/LeadAcidBatteries/tabid/54/Default.aspx
 

Franklin Associates, Ltd. Characterization of Products Containing Lead and Cadmium in 

Municipal Solid Waste in the United States, 1970 to 2000. U.S. Environmental Protection 

Agency. EPA/530-SW-89-015A. NTIS PB89-151039/WEP. January 1989. 

Motorcycle Industry Council, Inc. Motorcycle Statistical Annual. Various years. 

National Automobile Dealers Association. NADA Data: Vehicles in Operation and Scrappage,
 

http://www.nada.org/Publications/NADADATA/ as of Dec.6, 2007. 


National Petroleum News. Market Facts. Various years. 


Personal communication with a representative of R. L. Polk & Company. 


116 
Chapter 2 Characterization of Municipal Solid Waste by Weight
 

Rubber Manufacturers Association. Scrap Tire Markets. July 2004. www.rma.org. 


Teck Cominco Market Research. The Lead Market. www.teckcominco.com. 

U. S. Department of Commerce. Statistical Abstract of the United States. Various years. 

U.S. Department of Commerce. U.S. Imports By Commodity. Various years. 

U.S. Department of Commerce. U.S. Industrial Outlook “Metals.” Various years. 

U.S. International Trade Commission. Tariff and trade online database. 

http://dataweb.usitc.gov/scripts/user_set.asp 

U.S. Department of the Interior. U.S. Geological Survey. USGS Minerals Yearbook: Lead. 

January 2008. http://minerals.usgs.gov/minerals/pubs/commodity/lead/myb1-2006-lead.pdf 

U.S. Department of Transportation. Bureau of Transportation Statistics. National Transportation 

Statistics 2005. 

http://www.bts.gov/publications/national_transportation_statistics/2005/csv/table_04_54.csv 

U.S. Department of Transportation. Department of Highways. Highway Statistics 2006. 

http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/policy/ohim/hs06/htm/mv1.htm 

Ward Communications, Inc. Ward’s Motor Vehicle Facts & Figures. 2001. 

MAJOR APPLIANCES 

American Iron and Steel Institute Annual Statistical Report. Various years. 


117 
Chapter 2 Characterization of Municipal Solid Waste by Weight
 

Appliance Magazine. Corcoran Communications. September 1983. 


Appliance Manufacturer. Annual Industry Marketing Guide, March issue of various years. 


Appliance Manufacturer. “Market Profile.” Various years. 


Appliance Manufacturer. “Shipments Forecasts.” Various years. 


Appliance Recycling Information Center. INFOBulletin #1, #2, and #7. July 2001. 


Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers. Trends and Forecasts. 1971 to 1988. 


Best Buy website. www.bestbuy.com. 


Dana Chase Publications, Inc. Appliance Statistical Review. Various years. 


Electrical Merchandising. January 1951. 


University of Illinois Extension. Disaster Resources. “Energy Guide Labels”
 

web.extension.uiuc.edu/disaster/replace/energy.html
 

Gas Appliance Manufacturers Association. Statistical Highlights. Various years. 


Maytag Corporation. www.amana.com. 


National Industrial Pollution Control Council. The Disposal of Major Appliances. June 1971. 


Personal communication with a representative of Amana, Inc. November 1991. 


Personal communication with a representative of Steel Recycling Institute. August 1997. 


118 
Chapter 2 Characterization of Municipal Solid Waste by Weight
 

Rheem Manufacturing Company. www.rheem.com. 


Sears, Roebuck and Co. Spring and Fall Retail Catalogs and website www.sears.com. Various
 

years. 


Steel Recycling Institute. www.recycle-steel.org. 


Target Brands, Inc. www.target.com. 


U.S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of the Census. Census of Manufactures. Various years. 

U.S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of the Census. Current Industrial Reports. “Major 

Household Appliances.” MA36F. Various years. 

U.S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of the Census. Statistical Abstract of the United States. 

Various years. 

U.S. Geological Survey. Mineral Commodity Summaries. "Iron and Steel Scrap.” Various years. 

Wal-Mart website. www.walmart.com 

PAPER AND PAPERBOARD 

American Forest & Paper Association, Paper Recycling Group. Annual Statistical Summary 

Waste Paper Utilization. Various years. 

American Forest & Paper Association. Statistics of Paper, Paperboard & Wood Pulp. Various 

years. 

119 
Chapter 2 Characterization of Municipal Solid Waste by Weight
 

American Forest & Paper Association. Paper, Paperboard, Pulp Capacity and Fiber 

Consumption. Various years. 

American Forest & Paper Association. Monthly Statistical Report. Various issues. 

Mies, Will, Editor. Pulp & Paper Global Fact & Price Book, 2005. Paperloop, Inc. 2005. 

Franklin Associates, Ltd. Evaluation of Proposed New Recycled Paper Standards and 

Definitions. Special Task Force on Standards and Definitions, Recycled Paper Committee, 

Recycling Advisory Council. January 27, 1992. 

U.S. Postal Service. Annual Report of the Postmaster General. Various years. 

Yellow Pages Publishers Association. Yellow Pages Publishers Environmental Network: 

Progress Report for the Year 1996. March 1997. 

PLASTICS 

Alliance of Foam Packaging Recyclers. EPS Recycling Report. Various years. 

www.epspackaging.org. 

Alliance of Foam Packaging Recyclers. “Recycled Content in Expandable Polystyrene Foam 

Protective Packaging.” Technical Bulletin. Fall 2001. 

American Chemistry Council. “Production and Sales & Captive Use of Thermosetting & 

Thermoplastic Resins.” Various years. 

American Plastics Council, Inc. “Production and Sales & Captive Use of Thermosetting & 

Thermoplastic Resins.” Various years. 

120 
Chapter 2 Characterization of Municipal Solid Waste by Weight
 

American Chemistry Council Plastics Division. 2006 National Post-Consumer Recycled Plastic 

Bag and Film Report. 

http://www.plasticbagrecycling.org/08.0/2006Report.pdf 

Association of Postconsumer Plastic Recyclers and the American Chemistry Council. United 

States National Postconsumer Plastics Bottle Recycling Report. 2006 

http://www.americanchemistry.com/s_plastics/sec_content.asp?CID=1593&did=7094 

Modern Plastics. Resin Statistics. January and February issues. Various years. 

National Association for PET Container Resources. (NAPCOR). 2006 Report on Post Consumer 

PET Container Recycling Activity. Final Report. 

http://www.napcor.com/plastic/bottles/reports.html 

National Association of PET Container Resources (NAPCOR). “Report on Post Consumer PET 

Container Recycling Activity.” Various years. 

Personal communication with various industry representatives. Confidential data. August 2006 

and August 2007. 

Plastics Recycling Update. January 2004. 

R.W. Beck and Associates. “Postconsumer Plastics Recycling Rate Study.” American Plastics 

Council. Various years. 

Schedler, Mke.. “A PET Bottle Recycling Status Report.” Resource Recycling. February 2006. 

U.S. Department of Commerce. U.S. Industrial Outlook. Various years. 

U.S. Department of Commerce. Value of Product Shipments. Various years. 

121 
Chapter 2 Characterization of Municipal Solid Waste by Weight
 

U.S. Department of Commerce. International Trade Statistics. Various years. 


U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) online database. 

http://dataweb.usitc.gov/scripts/user_set.asp 

RUBBER 

American Automobile Manufacturers Association. AAMA Motor Vehicle Facts and Figures. 

Various years. 


Franklin Associates, Ltd. Markets for Scrap Tires. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
 

EPA/530-SW-90-07A. October 1991. 


International Tire and Rubber Association, Inc. formerly American Retreader’s Association, Inc. 

Louisville, Kentucky. 

International Tire and Rubber Association, Inc. The Tire Retreading/Repair Journal. April 1997. 

McRee, Robert E. “Recap – Recapture: Incineration of Rubber for Energy Recovery” Presented 

at the Joint NTDRA/RMA International Symposium. Washington, DC. October 22, 1982. 

Modern Tire Dealer. “Retail Tire Distribution.” January 2008. 


National Petroleum News Market Facts. Mid-June issue. Various years. 


Personal communication with a representative of RL Polk Company. 2000. 


Personal communication with the Scrap Tire Management Council. September 1996. 


122 
Chapter 2 Characterization of Municipal Solid Waste by Weight
 

Retreader’s Journal. April 1987. 


Rubber Manufacturers Association. Passenger Replacement Shipments To Set Record In 2005. 

December 7, 2005. 

Rubber Manufacturers Association. U.S. Scrap Tire Markets 2003 Edition. July 2004. 


Rubber Manufacturers Association. Scrap Tire Markets in the United States 2005 Edition. 


November 2006. 


Rubber Manufacturers Association. www.rma.org/scraptires/characteristics.html. 


www.rma.org/scraptires/facts_figures.html. 


Scrap Tire Management Council. 1994 Scrap Tire Use/Disposal Study. Results published in 


Scrap Tire News. March 1995. 


Scrap Tire Management Council. Scrap Tire Use/Disposal Study 1996 Update. April 1997. 


U.S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of the Census. Census of Manufactures. Industry series 

30A-30. Various years. 

U.S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of the Census. Current Industrial Reports. “Rubber 

Mechanical Goods.” MA30C. Various years. 

U.S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of the Census. Current Industrial Reports. “Rubber: 

Production, Shipments, and Stocks.” MA30A. various years. 

U.S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of the Census. Statistical Abstract of the United States. 

various years. 

123 
Chapter 2 Characterization of Municipal Solid Waste by Weight
 

U.S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of the Census. U.S. Imports for Consumption. FT 247. 

Table 1. various years. 

U.S. Department of Commerce. U.S. Industrial Outlook. “Plastics and Rubber.” Also earlier 

editions. Various years. 

U.S. Department of Transportation. Bureau of Transportation Statistics. National Transportation 

Statistics. Motor Vehicles Scrapped. Table 4-54. Various years. 

U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) online database. 

http://dataweb.usitc.gov/scripts/user_set.asp 

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Markets for Scrap Tires. EPA/530-SW-90-074A. 

October 1991. 

Wards. Motor Vehicle Facts & Figures. Various years. 

SMALL APPLIANCES 

Best Buy website. www.bestbuy.com. 


Dana Chase Publications, Inc. Appliance Statistical Review. Various years. 


Sears, Roebuck and Co. Spring and Fall Retail Catalogs and website www.sears.com. Various
 

years. 


Swedish Environmental Management Council. “Composition Vacuum Cleaners: Environmental
 

Product Declaration (EPD): Floor Vacuum Cleaner ETA 1450 Proximo.”
 

www.environdec.com/reg/epde26e.pdf 

124 
Chapter 2 Characterization of Municipal Solid Waste by Weight
 

U.S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of the Census. Current Industrial Reports. Electric 

Housewares and Fans MA36E and MA335E. Various years. 

U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) online database. 

http://dataweb.usitc.gov/scripts/user_set.asp 

Wal-Mart website. www.walmart.com 

STEEL CONTAINERS AND PACKAGING 

American Iron and Steel Institute. Annual Statistical Report. Various years. 


Can Manufacturers Institute. Can Shipments Report. Various years. 


Personal communication with a representative of the Association of Container Reconditioning. 


June 1994, July 2006, and July 2008. 


Personal communication with a representative of the Reusable Industrial Packaging Association. 


September 2004 and July 2008. 


Personal communications with representatives of the Steel Recycling Institute. Various years. 


Resource Recycling. Container Recycling Report. Various issues. 


Smith, F.L. A Solid Waste Estimation Procedure: Material Flows Approach. U.S. Environmental
 

Protection Agency. EPA/530-SW-147. May 1974. 


U.S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of the Census. Current Industrial Reports. “Closures for 

Containers.” MQ34H. Various years. 

125 
Chapter 2 Characterization of Municipal Solid Waste by Weight
 

U.S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of the Census. Current Industrial Reports. “Steel Barrels 

and Drums.” MA34K, MA332K. Various years. 

TEXTILES AND FOOTWEAR 

American Apparel and Footwear Association. ShoeStats 2006. 

www.apparelandfootwear.org/UserFiles/File/Statistics/shoestats2006.pdf 

American Apparel and Footwear Association. Trends: An Annual Compilation of Statistical 

Information on the U.S. Apparel & Footwear Industries. 2005 Edition. June 2006. 

www.apparelandfootwear.org. 


Council for Textile Recycling. Textile Recycling Fact Sheet. Various years. 


J.C. Penney’s Catalog. 1990 and 2000. 


National Association of Hosiery Manufacturers. Fact Sheet. Various years. 


Riggle, David. “Tapping Textile Recycling.” BioCycle. February 1992. 


U.S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of the Census. Current Industrial Reports. “Apparel.” 

MA23A, MA23E, MA23G, MQ315A, MQ315D. Various years. 

U.S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of the Census. Current Industrial Reports. “Bed and 

Bath Furnishings.” MQ314X. Various years. 

U.S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of the Census. Current Industrial Reports. “Sheets, 

Towels and Pillowcases.” MQ23X. Various years. 

126 
Chapter 2 Characterization of Municipal Solid Waste by Weight
 

U.S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of the Census. Current Industrial Reports. MA31A, 

MQ31A, MA23E, MA23G, and MA23A. Various years. 

U.S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of the Census. International Trade Data Bank. Various 

years. 

U.S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of the Census. Statistical Abstract of the United States. 

Various years. 

Spiegel Catalog. Fall/winter 1997. 

WOOD PACKAGING 

Bush, Robert, Phillip Araman, and E. Brad Hager. “Recovery, Reuse and Recycling by the 

United States Wood Packaging Industry: 1993 to 2006.” Environmental Planning, Management, 

and Sustainability Studies. February 26, 2007. www.srs4702.forprod.vt.edu/pubsubj/pdf/07t5.pdf 

Araman, Phillip, and Robert Bush. “An Update on the Pallet Industry.” Brooks Forest Products 

Center, Virginia Polytechnic Institute. 

Araman, Phillip, and Robert Bush. “Use of New Wood Pallets, Containers is Stagnant to 

Declining.” Pallet Enterprise. September 1997. 

Clarke, John W., Marshall S. White, and Philip A. Araman. "Comparative Performance of New, 

Repaired, and Remanufactured 48- by 40-inch GMA-style Wood Pallets". Forest Products 

Journal. December 2005. 

Eshbach, Ovid, Ed. Handbook of Engineering Fundamentals. Second Edition. John Wiley & 

Sons, Inc. 

127 
Chapter 2 Characterization of Municipal Solid Waste by Weight
 

Hardwood Market Report. February 28, 1998. 


Personal communication with representative of the National Wooden Pallet and Container 

Association. September 1996. 

Personal communication with representative of the U.S. Forestry Service Laboratory, Princeton, 

WV. December 1991. 

Personal communication with representative of U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service, 

Forest Products Laboratory. December 1991. 

Personal communication with representative of Virginia Polytechnic Institute. December 1991 

and October 2002. 

U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Forest Products Laboratory. Wood Used in U.S. 

Manufacturing Industries, 1977. December 1983. 

U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service Southern Research Center and Brooks Forest 

Products Center, Virginia Polytechnic Institute. www.srs4702.forprod.vt.edu/pallets/new.asp. 

U.S. Department of Commerce. U.S. Industrial Outlook. “Wood Products.” Various years. 

YARD TRIMMINGS 

California Integrated Waste Management Board. “Waste Disposal and Diversion Findings for 

Selected Industry Groups.” Cascadia Consulting Group. June 2006. 

California Integrated Waste Management Board. “Detailed Characterization of Commercial SelfHaul and Drop-box Waste” Cascadia Consulting Group. June 2006. 

128 
Chapter 2 Characterization of Municipal Solid Waste by Weight
 

California Integrated Waste Management Board. “Statewide Waste Characterization Study.” 

Cascadia Consulting Group. December 2004. 

California Integrated Waste Management Board. “Second Assessment of California's Compostand Mulch-Producing Infrastructure.” May 2004. 

Composting Council Research and Education Foundation. “1995 Compost Capacity Survey.” 

James Butler and Associates. October 1996. 

Composting Council. Fact Sheet. “Yard Waste Legislation: Disposal Bans and Similar Bills as of 

July, 1993.” July 1993. 

Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection. “State Solid Waste Management Plan.” 

Appendix D: “Current Waste Diversion Practices, Preliminary Draft.” RW Beck. 2006. 

Delaware Solid Waste Authority. “Analysis of the Impact of a Yard Waste Ban on Landfill 

Quantities and Household Costs.” DSM Environmental Services, Inc. September 15, 2004. 

Florida Department of Environmental Protection. “Solid Waste Management in Florida.” 1998. 

Florida Department of Environmental Protection. WasteCalc solid waste model. Franklin 

Associates, Ltd. subcontractor to TIA. Background model worksheet. Analysis of state and 

county sampling data. 2000. 

Franklin Associates, Ltd. The Role of Recycling in Integrated Solid Waste Management to the 

Year 2000. Appendix J and Appendix K. Keep America Beautiful, Inc. September 1994. 

Franklin Associates, Ltd. Survey of Selected State Officials and state websites. Various years. 

129 
Chapter 2 Characterization of Municipal Solid Waste by Weight
 

Franklin Associates, A Division of ERG. Survey of Selected State Officials and state websites. 

Various years. 

Glenn, Jim. “The State of Garbage in America Part I.” BioCycle. April 1998. 


Goldstein, Nora. “The State of Garbage in America.” BioCycle. December 2002. 


Goldstein, Nora. “The State of Garbage in America Part II.” BioCycle. November 2000. 


Goldstein, Nora and Jim Glenn. “The State of Garbage in America Part I.” BioCycle. April 1997. 


Goldstein, Nora and Jim Glenn. “The State of Garbage in America Part II.” BioCycle. May 1997. 


Georgia Department of Community Affairs. “Georgia Statewide Waste Characterization Study.”
 

RW Beck. June 2005. 


Iowa Department of Natural Resources. Waste Management Assistance Division. “Iowa Solid 


Waste Characterization Study.” RW Beck. October 1998. 


Kansas Department of Health and Environment. “State of Kansas Waste Characterization Study.”
 

Engineering Solutions & Design, Inc. March 2003. 


King County Department of Natural Resources and Parks. Solid Waste Division. “Waste
 

Monitoring Program. 2002/2003 Comprehensive Waste Stream Characterization and Transfer
 

Station Customer Surveys - Final Report.” Cascadia Consulting Group, Inc. April 2004. 


King County Department of Natural Resources and Parks. Solid Waste Division. “2003 Annual 

Report Blueprint for the Future.” September 2003 

130 
Chapter 2 Characterization of Municipal Solid Waste by Weight
 

Massachusetts DEP Residential Organic Waste Management Study. October 1999. Research 

International/Cambridge. 

Minnesota Pollution Control Agency Solid Waste Management Coordinating Board, Office of 

Environmental Assistance. “Statewide MSW Composition Study.” RW Beck. March 2000. 

New Jersey Department of Environment. “Draft Statewide Solid Waste Management Plan 2005.” 

New Mexico Environment Department Solid Waste Bureau. 2004 and 2005 Landfill Summary 

Report. Received May 2006. 

Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Division of Recycling & Litter Prevention. “What's In 

Our Garbage?: Ohio's Waste Characterization Study Executive Summary.” Engineering 

Solutions & Design, Inc. 2005. 

Oregon Department of Environmental Quality. “2004 Oregon Material Recovery and Waste 

Generation Report.” March 2006. 

Oregon Department of Environmental Quality. “2002 Oregon Solid Waste Characterization and 

Composition.” Sky Valley Associates. 2002. 

Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection. “Statewide Waste Composition Study.” 

RW Beck. April 2003. 

Raymond Communications. “State Recycling Laws Update.” Various years. 

Rhode Island Resource Recovery Corporation, Rhode Island Department of Environmental 

Management. “Rhode Island Comprehensive Solid Waste Management Plan May 24, 2005 

Draft.” 

131 
Chapter 2 Characterization of Municipal Solid Waste by Weight
 

San Francisco Department of the Environment. “Waste Characterization Study”. Environmental
 

Science Associates (ESA). August 2005. 


Savage, George M. “The History and Utility of Waste Characterization Studies.” MSW
 

Management. May/June 1994. 


Simmons, Phil, et al. “The State of Garbage in America.” BioCycle. April 2006. 


Steuteville, Robert. “The State of Garbage in America, Part I.” BioCycle. April 1995. 


Steuteville, Robert. “The State of Garbage in America, Part II.” BioCycle. May 1995. 


Steuteville, Robert. “The State of Garbage in America, Part II.” BioCycle. May 1996. 


U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. “Region 7 MSW Generation, Recycling (including 

Composting), and Disposal.” Eastern Research Group, Inc. September 2005. 

Wake County, N.C. Solid Waste Management. “Wake County Waste Characterization Study.” 

RW Beck. April 1999. 

Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. “Wisconsin Statewide Waste Characterization 

Study.” Cascadia Consulting Group, Inc. May 2003. 

Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. 2000 annual recycling data. Staff document. 

132 
Chapter 3 	 Management of Municipal Solid Waste
 

CHAPTER 3 


MANAGEMENT OF MUNICIPAL SOLID WASTE
 

INTRODUCTION 

EPA’s tiered integrated waste management strategy includes the following components: 

•	 Source reduction (or waste prevention), including reuse of products and on-site 

(or backyard) composting of yard trimmings. 

•	 Recycling, including off-site (or community) composting. 

•	 Combustion with energy recovery. 

•	 Disposal through landfilling. 

The four components are put into context in Figure 17. 

This chapter addresses the major activities within an integrated waste management 

system: source reduction, recycling (including composting), combustion with energy recovery, 

and disposal. Source reduction activities have the effect of reducing MSW generation, while 

other management alternatives deal with MSW once it is generated. 

133 
 

 

 

Chapter 3 Management of Municipal Solid Waste
 

Figure 17. Diagram of solid waste management 

Generation
 

of waste for
 

management
 

Changes in Changes in Changes in Recovery for 

package purchasing industrial recycling (including 

design habits practices composting) 

Landfill/Other 

disposal 

Backyard Increased Other Combustion 

composting, reuse changes in with energy 

grasscycling use patterns recovery 

SOURCE REDUCTION 

WASTE REDUCTION
 

Source: Franklin Associates, A Division of ERG
 

Estimates of the historical recovery of materials for recycling, including yard trimmings 

for composting, are presented in Chapter 2. Chapter 3 discusses the current MSW management 

infrastructure. Current solid waste collection, processing, combustion with energy recovery, and 

disposal programs and facilities are highlighted with tables and figures. It also presents estimates 

for quantities of waste landfilled, which are obtained by subtracting the amounts recovered for 

recycling and composting and the amounts combusted with energy recovery from total MSW 

generation. 

SOURCE REDUCTION 

During the past 47 years, the amount of waste each person creates has increased from 2.7 

to 4.62 pounds per day. The most effective way to stop this trend is by preventing waste from 

being generated in the first place. 

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Chapter 3 	 Management of Municipal Solid Waste
 

Source reduction is gaining more attention as an important solid waste management 

option. Source reduction, often called “waste prevention,” is defined by EPA as “any change in 

the design, manufacturing, purchase, or use of materials or products (including packaging) to 

reduce their amount or toxicity before they become municipal solid waste. Prevention also refers 

to the reuse of products or materials.” Thus, source reduction activities affect the waste stream 

before the point of generation. In this report, MSW is considered to have been generated if it is 

placed at curbside or in a receptacle such as a dumpster for pickup, or if it is taken by the 

generator to another site for recycling (including composting) or disposal. 

Source reduction encompasses a very broad range of activities by private citizens, 

communities, commercial establishments, institutional agencies, and manufacturers and 

distributors. Examples of source reduction actions (Table 24) include: 

•	 Redesigning products or packages so as to reduce the quantity of materials or the 

toxicity of the materials used, by substituting lighter materials for heavier ones 

and lengthening the life of products to postpone disposal. 

•	 Using packaging that reduces the amount of damage or spoilage to the product. 

•	 Reducing amounts of products or packages used through modification of current 

practices by processors and consumers. 

•	 Reusing products or packages already manufactured. 

•	 Managing non-product organic wastes (food scraps, yard trimmings) through 

backyard composting or other on-site alternatives to disposal. 

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Source Reduction Through Redesign 

Since source reduction of products and packages can save money by reducing materials 

and energy costs, manufacturers and packaging designers have been pursuing these activities for 

many years. Combined with other source reduction measures, redesign can have a significant 

effect on material use and eventual discards. Design for source reduction can take several 

approaches. 

Table 24
 

SELECTED EXAMPLES OF SOURCE REDUCTION PRACTICES
 

Source Reduction Practice 

MSW Product Categories 

Durable 

Goods 

Nondurable 

Goods 

Containers & 

Packaging Organics 

Redesign 

Materials reduction • Downgauge metals in 

appliances 

• Paperless purchase 

orders 

• Concentrates • Xeriscaping 

Materials substitution 

• Use of composites 

in appliances and 

electronic circuitry 

• Cereal in bags 

• Coffee brick 

• Multi-use products 

Lengthen life 

• High mileage tires 

• Electronic components 

reduce moving parts 

• Regular servicing 

• Look at warranties 

• Extend warranties 

• Design for secondary 

uses 

Consumer Practices 

• Purchase long lived 

products 

• Repair 

• Duplexing 

• Sharing 

• Reduce unwanted 

mail 

• Purchasing: 

products in bulk, 

concentrates 

• Reusable bags 

Reuse 

By design 

• Modular design • Envelopes • Reusable pallets 

• Returnable secondary 

packaging 

Secondary 

• Borrow or rent for 

temporary use 

• Give to charity 

• Buy or sell at 

garage sales 

• Clothing 

• Waste paper 

scratch pads 

• Loosefill 

• Grocery sacks 

• Dairy containers 

• Glass and plastic jars 

Reduce/Eliminate Toxins 

• Eliminate PCBs • Soy ink, waterbased 

• Waterbased solvents 

• Reduce mercury 

• Replace lead foil on 

wine bottles 

Reduce Organics 

Food scraps • Backyard composting 

• Vermi-composting 

Yard trimmings • Backyard composting 

• Grasscycling 

Source: Franklin Associates, A Division of ERG 

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Chapter 3 Management of Municipal Solid Waste
 

Materials substitution can make a product or package lighter. For example, there has been 

a continuous trend of substitution of lighter materials such as plastics and aluminum for materials 

such as glass and steel. The substitution also may involve a flexible package instead of a rigid 

package. A product or package can be redesigned to reduce weight or volume. Toxic materials in 

products or packaging can be replaced with non-toxic substitutes. Considerable efforts have been 

made in this area in the past few years. 

Lengthening product life delays the time when the product enters the municipal waste 

stream. The responsibility for lengthening product life lies partly with manufacturers and partly 

with consumers. Manufacturers can design products to last longer and be easier to repair. Since 

some of these design modifications may make products more expensive, at least initially, 

manufacturers must be willing to invest in new product development, and consumers must 

demand the products and be willing to pay for them to make the goal work. Consumers and 

manufacturers also must be willing to care for and repair products. 

Modifying Practices to Reduce Materials Use 

Businesses and individuals often can modify their current practices to reduce the amounts 

of waste generated. In a business office, electronic mail can replace printed memoranda and data. 

Reports can be copied on both sides of the paper (duplexed). Modifying practices can be 

combined with other source reduction measures to reduce generation and limit material use. 

Individuals and businesses can request removal from mailing lists to reduce the amount 

of mail received and discarded. When practical, products can be purchased in large sizes or in 

bulk to minimize the amount of packaging per unit of product. Concentrated products also can 

reduce packaging requirements. The use of reusable shopping bags reduces the quantity of plastic 

and paper bags produced. 

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Chapter 3 Management of Municipal Solid Waste
 

Reuse of Products and Packages 

Similar to lengthening product life, reuse of products and packaging delays the time when 

the items must finally be discarded as waste. When a product is reused, presumably purchase and 

use of a new product is delayed, although this may not always be true. 

Many of the products characterized for this report are reused in sizable quantities (e.g., 

furniture, wood pallets, and clothing). The recovery of products and materials for recycling 

(including composting) as characterized in Chapter 2 does not include reuse of products, but 

reuse is discussed in this section. 

Durable Goods. There is a long tradition of reuse of durable goods such as large and 

small appliances, furniture, and carpets. Often this is done informally as individuals pass on used 

goods to family members and friends. Other durable goods are donated to charitable 

organizations for resale or use by needy families. Some communities and other organizations 

have facilitated exchange programs for citizens, and there are for-profit retail stores that deal in 

used furniture, appliances, and carpets. Individuals resell other goods at garage sales, flea 

markets, and the like. Borrowing and sharing items like tools can also reduce the number of 

products ultimately discarded. There is generally a lack of data on the volume of durable goods 

reused in the United States, and what the ultimate effect on MSW generation might be. 

Nondurable Goods. While nondurable goods by their very nature are designed for shortterm use and disposal, there is considerable reuse of some items classified as nondurable. In 

particular, footwear, clothing, and other textile goods often are reused. Much of the reuse is 

accomplished through the same types of channels as those described above for durable goods. 

That is, private individuals, charitable organizations, and retail outlets (consignment shops) all 

facilitate reuse of discarded clothing and footwear. In addition, considerable amounts of textiles 

are reused as wiping cloths before being discarded. 

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Chapter 3 Management of Municipal Solid Waste
 

Another often-cited waste prevention measure is the use of washable plates, cups, 

napkins, towels, diapers, and other such products, instead of the disposable variety. (This will 

reduce solid waste but will have other environmental effects, such as increased water and energy 

use.) Other reusable items are available, for example: reusable air filters, reusable coffee filters, 

and reconditioned printer cartridges. 

Containers and Packaging. Containers and packaging can be reused in two ways: they 

can be used again for their original purpose, or they can be used in other ways. 

Glass bottles are a prime example of reuse of a container for its original purpose. 

Refillable glass beer and soft drink bottles can be collected, washed, and refilled for use again. 

Some years ago large numbers of refillable glass soft drink bottles were used, but single-use glass 

bottles, plastic bottles, and aluminum cans have largely replaced these. Considerable numbers of 

beer bottles are collected for refilling, often by restaurants and taverns, where the bottles can 

easily be collected and returned by the distributor. The Glass Packaging Institute estimates that 

refillable glass bottles achieve a rate of eight trips (refillings) per bottle. 

Another example in this category is the use of refurbished wood pallets for shipping 

palletized goods. It is estimated that over 13 million tons of wood pallets were refurbished and 

returned to service in 2007. It is also common practice to recondition steel drums and barrels for 

reuse. 

Many other containers and packages can be recycled, but are not often reused, although 

this practice can achieve a notable source reduction in packaging. As an example, some grocery 

stores will allow customers to reuse grocery sacks, perhaps allowing a refund for each sack 

brought back for reuse. Also, many parcel shippers will take back plastic packaging “peanuts” for 

reuse. 

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Chapter 3 Management of Municipal Solid Waste
 

Many ingenious reuses for containers and packaging are possible in the home. People 

reuse boxes, bags, jars, jugs, and cans for many purposes around the house. There are no reliable 

estimates as to how these specific activities affect the waste stream. 

Management of Organic Materials 

Food scraps and yard trimmings combined made up about 25 percent of MSW generation 

in 2007, so source reduction measures aimed at these products can have an important effect on 

waste generation. Composting is the usual methodology for recovering these organic materials. 

As defined in this report, composting of organic materials after they are taken to a central 

composting facility is a recycling activity. Estimates for these off-site composting activities are 

included in this chapter. 

There are several types of source reduction that take place at the point of generation (e.g., 

the yard of a home or business). The backyard composting of yard trimmings and certain food 

discards is a growing source reduction practice. There also is a trend toward leaving grass 

clippings on lawns, often through the use of mulching mowers. Other actions contributing to 

reduced organics disposal are: establishment of variable fees for collection of wastes (also known 

as unit-based pricing or Pay-As-You-Throw), which encourage residents to reduce the amount of 

wastes set out; improved technology (mulching mowers); xeriscaping (landscaping with plants 

that use minimal water and generate minimal waste); and certain legislation such as bans on 

disposal of yard trimmings in landfills. 

Part of the impetus for source reduction and recycling of yard trimmings is the large 

number of state regulations discouraging landfilling or other disposal of yard trimmings. The 

Composting Council and other sources reported that in 1992, 12 states (amounting to over 28 

percent of the nation’s population) had in effect legislation affecting management of yard 

trimmings. By 2005, 21 states (amounting to about 50 percent of the nation’s population) had 

legislation discouraging the disposal of yard trimmings. 

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Chapter 3 Management of Municipal Solid Waste
 

Measuring Source Reduction 

Although source reduction has been an increasingly important aspect of municipal solid 

waste programs since the late 1980s, the goal of actually measuring how much source reduction 

has taken place—how much waste prevention there has been—has proved elusive. Early attempts 

by localities and states often consisted of measuring a single waste stream in a single community. 

In time, additional research enabled proxy, or estimated values, to be developed for specific 

waste streams, to use on a state-wide or national level. EPA’s Source Reduction Program 

Potential Manual and planning packet, published in 1997 (EPA530-E-97-001) provides an 

example of this approach. Unlike recycling, where there are actual materials to weigh all through 

the process, measuring source reduction means trying to measure something that no longer exists. 

The November 1999 National Source Reduction Characterization Report for Municipal 

Solid Waste in the United States (EPA 530-R-99-034) provides additional information including 

an explanation of a methodology that has been used to generate source reduction estimates. 

RECOVERY FOR RECYCLING (INCLUDING COMPOSTING) 

Recyclables Collection 

Before recyclable materials can be processed and recycled into new products, they must 

be collected. Most residential recycling involves curbside recyclables collection, drop-off 

programs, buy-back operations, and/or container deposit systems. Collection of recyclables from 

commercial establishments is usually separate from residential recyclables collection programs. 

Curbside Recyclables Collection. In 2007, more than 8,600 curbside recyclables 

collection programs were reported in the United States. As shown in Table 25 and Figure 18, the 

extent of residential curbside recycling programs varies by geographic region, with the most 

extensive curbside collection occurring in the Northeast. 

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Chapter 3 Management of Municipal Solid Waste
 

Curbside collection programs typically require residents to do at least some sorting of the 

recyclable materials put at the curb. In recent years, however, there has been a trend toward 

single-stream curbside collections programs, in which no sorting is required of the residents. The 

American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) estimated that 50 percent of curbside 

recyclables collection programs were single-stream in 2007.4

 These programs require that the 

materials be taken to a materials recovery facility (MRF) for processing. 

In 2007, nearly 60 percent of the U.S. population had access to curbside recyclables 

collection programs (based on data from states representing over 80 percent of the U.S. 

population). The Northeast region had the largest population served – 43 million persons. In the 

Northeast about 84 percent of the population had access to curbside recyclables collection, while 

in the West 76 percent of the population had access to curbside recycling. The largest numbers of 

programs were located in the Northeast and Midwest regions of the country. 

Table 25
 

NUMBER AND POPULATION SERVED BY
 

CURBSIDE RECYCLABLES COLLECTION PROGRAMS, 2007
 

Number of Population* Population Served 

Region Programs (in thousands) (in thousands) Percent** 

NORTHEAST 3,299 50,557 42,592 84% 

SOUTH 797 84,524 25,386 30% 

MIDWEST 3,749 46,473 28,236 61% 

WEST 814 63,985 48,702 76% 

Total 8,659 245,539 144,916 59% 

Total U.S. Population 301,621 

* Population in states reporting data 

** Percent of population served by curbside programs was calculated using 

population of states reporting data. 

Source: U.S. Census Bureau 2007, BioCycle April 2006, California Integrated Waste 

Management Board, Illinois Recycling Association, www.coloradocurbside.com, Nebraska State 

Recycling Assocation, Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection 

AF&PA. “2007 AF&PA Community Survey Executive Summary.” June 2008. This report also estimated that 62 

percent of the U.S. population is served by curbside recyclables collection. 

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Chapter 3 Management of Municipal Solid Waste
 

Figure 18. Population served by curbside recycling, 2007 

percent of population 

100 

90 

80 

70 

60 

50 

40 

30 

20 

10 

0 

Northeast South Midwest West 

Source: U.S. Census Bureau 2007, BioCycle April 2006, California Integrated Waste Management Board, Illinois Recycling Association,
 

www.coloradocurbside.com, Nebraska State Recycling Assocation, Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection
 

Drop-off Centers. Drop-off centers typically collect residential materials, although some 

accept materials from businesses. They are found in locations such as grocery stores, sheltered 

workshops, charitable organizations, city-sponsored sites, and apartment complexes. Types of 

materials collected vary greatly; however, drop-off centers can usually accept a greater variety of 

materials than a curbside collection program. 

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Chapter 3 Management of Municipal Solid Waste
 

It is difficult to quantify drop-off centers in the United States. It is estimated that there 

were 12,694 programs in 1997, according to a BioCycle survey. In 2007, the “2007 AF&PA 

Community Survey Executive Summary” estimated over 20,000 communities have drop-off 

centers (including some communities that also have curbside recyclables collection). In some 

areas, particularly those with sparse population, drop-off centers may be the only option for 

collection of recyclable materials. In other areas, they supplement other collection programs. 

Buy-Back Centers. A buy-back center is typically a commercial operation that pays 

individuals for recovered materials. This could include scrap metal dealers, aluminum can 

centers, waste haulers, or paper dealers. Materials are collected by individuals, small businesses, 

and charitable organizations. 

Deposit Systems. Eleven states have container deposit systems: California, Connecticut, 

Delaware, Hawaii, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, New York, Oregon, and Vermont 

(Figure 19). In these programs, the consumer pays a deposit on beverage containers at the point 

of purchase, which is redeemed on return of the empty containers. In California, beverage 

distributors also pay a per container fee. In addition to these fees, handling fees are also assessed 

in most of the states listed. 

Deposit systems generally target beverage containers (primarily beer and soft drink), 

which account for less than 6 percent of total MSW generation. It is estimated that about 35 

percent of all recovery of beverage containers comes from ten of the eleven deposit states 

mentioned above, and an additional 20 percent of recovered beverage containers comes from 

California. (Note: These recovery estimates reflect not only containers redeemed by consumers 

for deposit, but also containers recovered through existing curbside and drop-off recycling 

programs. Containers recovered through these programs eventually are credited to the distributor 

and counted towards the redemption rate.) 

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Chapter 3 Management of Municipal Solid Waste
 

Figure 19. States With Bottle Deposit Rules
 

Source: Container Recycling Institute, 2006. 

Commercial Recyclables Collection. The largest quantity of recovered materials comes 

from the commercial sector. Old corrugated containers (OCC) and office papers are widely 

collected from commercial establishments. Grocery stores and other retail outlets that require 

corrugated packaging are part of an infrastructure that brings in the most recovered material. 

OCC is often baled at the retail outlet and picked up by a paper dealer. 

Office paper (e.g., white, mixed color, computer paper, etc.) is part of another 

commercial recyclables collection infrastructure. Depending on the quantities generated, 

businesses (e.g., banks, institutions, schools, printing operations, etc.) can sort materials and have 

them picked up by a paper dealer, or self deliver the materials to the recycler. It should be noted 

that commercial operations also make recycling available for materials other than paper. 

Multi-family residence recycling could be classified as either residential or commercial 

recyclables collection. Multi-family refuse is usually handled as a commercial account by waste 

haulers. These commercial waste haulers may handle recycling at multi-family dwellings 

(typically five or more units) as well. 

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Chapter 3 Management of Municipal Solid Waste
 

Recyclables Processing 

Processing recyclable materials is performed at materials recovery facilities (MRFs), 

mixed waste processing facilities, and mixed waste composting facilities. Some materials are 

sorted at the curb and require less attention. Other materials are sorted into categories at the curb, 

such as a paper category and a container category, with additional sorting at a facility (MRF). 

There is a more recent trend towards MRFs that can sort recyclable materials that are picked up 

unsorted (single-stream recycling). Mixed waste can also be processed to pull out recyclable and 

compostable materials. 

Materials Recovery Facilities. Materials recovery facilities vary widely across the 

United States, depending on the incoming materials and the technology and labor used to sort the 

materials. In 2007, 567 MRFs were operating in the United States, with an estimated total daily 

throughput of over 91,000 tons per day (Table 26). The most extensive recyclables processing 

throughput occurs in the Northeast and West (Figure 20). 

Table 26 

MATERIALS RECOVERY FACILITIES, 2007 

Estimated 

Throughput 

Region Number (tpd) 

NORTHEAST 146 24,848 

SOUTH 158 20,905 

MIDWEST 138 20,455 

WEST 125 25,242 

U.S. Total 567 91,450 

Source: Governmental Advisory Associates, Inc. 

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Chapter 3 Management of Municipal Solid Waste
 

Figure 20. Estimated MRF throughput, 2007 

(tons per day per million persons) 

0 

50 

100 

150 

200 

250 

300 

350 

400 

450 

500 

tons/daythroughput/million persons 

Northeast South Midwest West 

Source: U.S. Census Bureau; Governmental Advisory Associates, Inc. 

Many MRFs are considered low technology, meaning the materials are predominantly 

sorted manually. MRFs classified as high technology sort recyclables using eddy currents, 

magnetic pulleys, optical sensors, and air classifiers. As MRFs change and grow, many low 

technology MRFs add high tech features. However, high technology MRFs usually include 

manual sorting, reducing the distinction between high and low technology MRFs. 

Mixed Waste Processing. Mixed waste processing facilities are less common than 

conventional MRFs, but there are several facilities in operation in the United States, as illustrated 

in Figure 21. Mixed waste processing facilities receive mixed solid waste (including recyclable 

and non-recyclable materials), which is then loaded on conveyors. Using both mechanical and 

manual (high and low technology) sorting, recyclable materials are removed for further 

processing. In 2007, there were reported 34 mixed waste processing facilities in the U.S., 

handling about 43,000 tons of waste per day. The Western region has the largest concentration of 

these processing facilities (representing over 80 percent of the daily per capita throughput). 

147 
 

 

 

Chapter 3 Management of Municipal Solid Waste
 

Figure 21. Mixed waste processing estimated throughput 2007 

(tons per day per million persons) 

600 

tons/day capacity per million persons 

500 

400 

300 

200 

100 

0 

Northeast South Midwest West 

Source: U.S. Census Bureau; Governmental Advisory Associates, Inc. 

Mixed Waste Composting. Mixed waste composting starts with unsorted MSW. Large 

items are removed, as well as ferrous and other metals, depending on the type of operation. 

Mixed waste composting takes advantage of the high percentage of organic components of 

MSW, such as paper, food scraps and yard trimmings, wood, and other materials. In 2007, there 

were 16 mixed waste composting facilities, two more than was reported in 2006. 

Nationally, mixed waste composting facilities handled about 1,500 tons per day in 2007, 

up from 1,200 tons per day in 2006. In 2007, the highest processing capacity per million persons 

was found in the Northeast and Midwest, as shown in Figure 22. 

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Chapter 3 Management of Municipal Solid Waste
 tons/day capacity per million persons 

Figure 22. MSW composting capacity, 2007 

(Capacity in tons per day per million persons) 

9 

8 

7 

6 

5 

4 

3 

2 

1 

0 

Northeast South Midwest West 

Source: U.S. Census Bureau; BioCycle, November 2007. 

Yard Trimmings Composting. Yard trimmings composting is much more prevalent 

than mixed waste composting. On-site management of yard trimmings (back yard composting) is 

discussed earlier in this chapter, and is classified as source reduction, not recycling. In 2007, 

3,505 yard trimmings composting programs were reported. In 2007, about 80 percent of these 

programs were in the Northeast and Midwest regions, as shown in Figure 23. Based on 20.9 

million tons of yard trimmings recovered for composting in the United States (Table 2, Chapter 

2), yard trimmings composting facilities handled approximately 57,300 tons per day in 2007. 

149 
 

 

 

 

 

Chapter 3 Management of Municipal Solid Waste
 

Figure 23. Yard trimmings composting programs, 2007 

(In number of programs) 

0 

200 

400 

600 

800 

1,000 

1,200 

1,400 

1,600 

1,800 

number of programs 

Northeast South Midwest West 

Source: BioCycle April 2006.
 

Revised wth data from Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality, California Integrated Waste
 

Management Board, and Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment.
 

COMBUSTION WITH ENERGY RECOVERY 

Most of the municipal solid waste combustion currently practiced in this country 

incorporates recovery of an energy product (generally steam or electricity). The resulting energy 

reduces the amount needed from other sources, and the sale of the energy helps to offset the cost 

of operating the facility. In past years, it was common to burn municipal solid waste in 

incinerators solely as a volume reduction practice; energy recovery became more prevalent in the 

1980s. 

Total U.S. MSW combustion with energy recovery, referred to as waste-to-energy (WTE) 

combustion, had a 2007 design capacity of 94,721 tons per day. There were 87 WTE facilities in 

2007 (Table 27), down from 102 in 2000. In tons of capacity per million persons, the Northeast 

region had the most MSW combustion capacity in 2007 (Figure 24). 

150 
 

 

 

 

Chapter 3 	 Management of Municipal Solid Waste
 

In addition to facilities combusting mixed MSW (processed or unprocessed), there is a 

small but growing amount of combustion of source-separated MSW. In particular, rubber tires 

have been used as fuel in cement kilns, utility boilers, pulp and paper mills, industrial boilers, 

and dedicated scrap tire-to-energy facilities. In addition, there is combustion of wood wastes and 

some paper and plastic wastes, usually in boilers that already burn some other type of solid fuel. 

For this report, it was estimated that about 3.1 million tons of MSW were combusted in this 

manner in 2007, with tires contributing a majority of the total. 

Table 27 

MUNICIPAL WASTE-TO-ENERGY PROJECTS, 2007 

Design 

Number Capacity 

Region Operational (tpd) 

NORTHEAST 40 46,537 

SOUTH 23 31,131 

MIDWEST 16 10,912 

WEST 8 6,141 

U.S. Total* 87 94,721 

*	 Projects on hold or inactive were not included. 

WTE includes mass burn, modular, and refuse-derived 

fuel-combustion facilities. 

Source: "The IWSA Directory of Waste-To-Energy Plants." 

Integrated Waste Services Association, 2007. 

151 
 

 

 

Chapter 3 Management of Municipal Solid Waste
 

Figure 24. Municipal waste-to-energy capacity, 2007 

(Capacity in tons per million persons) 

0 

100 

200 

300 

400 

500 

600 

700 

800 

900 

tons/day capacity per million persons 

Northeast South Midwest West 

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Integrated Waste Services Association 2007. 

RESIDUES FROM WASTE MANAGEMENT FACILITIES 

Whenever municipal wastes are processed, residues will remain. For the purposes of this 

report, it is assumed that most of these residues are landfilled. Materials processing facilities 

(MRFs) and compost facilities generate some residues when processing various recovered 

materials. These residues include materials that are unacceptable to end users (e.g., broken glass, 

wet newspapers), other contaminants (e.g., products made of plastic resins that are not wanted by 

the end user), or dirt. While residue generation varies widely, 5 to 10 percent is probably typical 

for a MRF. Residues from a MRF or compost facility are generally landfilled. Since the recovery 

estimates in this report are based on recovered materials purchased by end users rather than 

materials entering a processing facility, the residues are counted with other disposed materials. 

152 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chapter 3 Management of Municipal Solid Waste
 

When municipal solid waste is combusted, a residue (usually called ash) is left behind. 

Years ago this ash was commonly disposed of along with municipal solid waste, but combustor 

ash is not counted as MSW in this report because it generally is managed separately5. (There are 

a number of efforts underway to reuse ash.) As a general “rule of thumb,” MSW combustor ash 

amounts to about 25 percent (by weight) of unprocessed MSW input. This percentage will vary 

from facility to facility depending upon the types of waste input and the efficiency and 

configuration of the facility. 

LANDFILLS 

In 2007, there were 1,754 municipal solid waste landfills reported in the United States. 

Table 28 

LANDFILL FACILITIES, 2007 

Number of 

Landfills 

Region 

NORTHEAST 133 

SOUTH 676 

MIDWEST 425 

WEST 520 

U.S. Total 1,754 

Source: BioCycle April 2006. 

Revised with data from Alabama Department of 

Environmental Management, Arizona 

Department of Environmental Quality, Arkansas 

Department of Environmental Quality, 

California Integrated Waste Management Board, 

Colorado Department of Public Health and 

Environment, and Louisiana Department of 

Environmental Quality. 

Note that many combustion facilities do magnetic separation of residues to recover ferrous metals, e.g., steel 

cans and steel in other miscellaneous durable goods. This recovered steel is included in the total recovery of 

ferrous metals in MSW reported in Chapter 2. 

153 

5 
 

 

 

 

 

Chapter 3 Management of Municipal Solid Waste
 

Table 28 and Figure 25 show the number of landfills in each region. The South and West 

had the largest number of landfills. Thirty-eight percent of the landfills are located in the South, 

30 percent in the West, and 24 percent in the Midwest. Only 8 percent are located in the 

Northeast. 

Figure 25. Number of landfills in the U.S., 2007
 

number of landfills 

800 

600 

400 

200 

0 

Northeast South Midwest West 

Source: BioCycle April 2006, Alabama Department of Environmental Management, Arizona 

Department of Environmental Quality, Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality, 

California Integrated Waste Management Board, Colorado Department of Public Health and 

Environment, and Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality. 

SUMMARY OF HISTORICAL AND CURRENT MSW MANAGEMENT 

This summary provides some perspective on historical and current municipal solid waste 

management practices in the United States. The results are summarized in Table 29 and Figure 

26. 

154 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chapter 3 Management of Municipal Solid Waste
 

Table 29
 

GENERATION, MATERIALS RECOVERY, COMPOSTING, COMBUSTION,
 

AND DISCARDS OF MUNICIPAL SOLID WASTE, 1960 TO 2007
 

(In thousands of tons and percent of total generation)
 

Thousands of Tons 

1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2004 2005 2006 2007 

Generation 88,120 121,060 151,640 205,210 239,050 249,780 250,430 254,180 254,140 

Recovery for recycling 5,610 8,020 14,520 29,040 52,880 57,520 58,840 61,380 63,260 

Recovery for composting* Neg. Neg. Neg. 4,200 16,450 20,470 20,550 20,780 21,710 

Total Materials Recovery 5,610 8,020 14,520 33,240 69,330 77,990 79,390 82,160 84,970 

Discards after recovery 82,510 113,040 137,120 171,970 169,720 171,790 171,040 172,020 169,170 

Combustion with 

energy recovery** 0 400 2,700 29,700 33,730 31,510 31,620 31,950 31,970 

Discards to landfill, 

other disposal† 82,510 112,640 134,420 142,270 135,990 140,280 139,420 140,070 137,200 

Pounds per Person per Day 

1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2004 2005 2006 2007 

Generation 2.68 3.25 3.66 4.50 4.65 4.66 4.63 4.65 4.62 

Recovery for recycling 0.17 0.22 0.35 0.64 1.03 1.07 1.09 1.12 1.15 

Recovery for composting* Neg. Neg. Neg. 0.09 0.32 0.38 0.38 0.38 0.39 

Total Materials Recovery 0.17 0.22 0.35 0.73 1.35 1.45 1.47 1.50 1.54 

Discards after recovery 2.51 3.03 3.31 3.77 3.30 3.21 3.16 3.15 3.08 

Combustion with 

energy recovery** 0.00 0.01 0.07 0.65 0.66 0.59 0.58 0.58 0.58 

Discards to landfill, 

other disposal† 2.51 3.02 3.24 3.12 2.64 2.62 2.58 2.57 2.50 

Population (thousands) 179,979 203,984 227,255 249,907 281,422 293,660 296,410 299,398 301,621 

1960 1970 1980 

Percent of Total Generation 

1990 2000 2004 2005 2006 2007 

Generation 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 

Recovery for recycling 

Recovery for composting* 

Total Materials Recovery 

6.4% 

Neg. 

6.4% 

6.6% 

Neg. 

6.6% 

9.6% 

Neg. 

9.6% 

14.2% 

2.0% 

16.2% 

22.1% 

6.9% 

29.0% 

23.0% 

8.2% 

31.2% 

23.5% 

8.2% 

31.7% 

24.1% 

8.2% 

32.3% 

24.9% 

8.5% 

33.4% 

Discards after recovery 93.6% 93.4% 90.4% 83.8% 71.0% 68.8% 68.3% 67.7% 66.6% 

Combustion with 

energy recovery** 0.0% 0.3% 1.8% 14.5% 14.1% 12.6% 12.6% 12.6% 12.6% 

Discards to landfill, 

other disposal† 93.6% 93.1% 88.6% 69.3% 56.9% 56.2% 55.7% 55.1% 54.0% 

* Composting of yard trimmings, food scraps and other MSW organic material. Does not include backyard composting. 

** Includes combustion of MSW in mass burn or refuse-derived fuel form, and combustion with energy recovery of source separated 

materials in MSW (e.g., wood pallets and tire-derived fuel). 2007 includes 28,860 MSW, 560 wood, and 2,550 tires (1,000 tons) 

† Discards after recovery minus combustion with energy recovery. Discards include combustion without energy recovery. 

Details may not add to totals due to rounding. 

Source: Franklin Associates, A Division of ERG 

155 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chapter 3 Management of Municipal Solid Waste
 

Historically, municipal solid waste generation has grown steadily (from 88 million tons in 

1960 to 254 million tons at present). In the 1960s and early 1970s a large percentage of MSW 

was burned, with little recovery for recycling. Landfill disposal typically consisted of open 

dumping, often accompanied with open burning of the waste for volume reduction. Through the 

mid-1980s, incineration declined considerably and landfills became difficult to site, and waste 

generation continued to increase. Materials recovery rates increased very slowly in this time 

period, and the burden on the nation’s landfills grew dramatically. As Figure 26 shows, discards 

of MSW to landfill or other disposal apparently peaked in 1990 and then began to decline as 

materials recovery and combustion with energy recovery increased. 

Figure 26. Municipal solid waste management, 1960 to 2007 

million tons 300 

250 

200 

150 

100 

50 

0 

Recovery of the composting 

component of recycling 

Recovery for recycling 

Combustion 

with energy recovery 

Landfill, other disposal 

1960 1965 1970 1975 1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 

Source: Franklin Associates, A Division of ERG 

Recovery has increased steadily. Combustion with energy recovery, as a percentage of 

generation, has been declining (12.6 percent of generation in 2007). MSW discards to landfills 

rose to about 140 million tons in 2006, and then declined to 137 million tons in 2007. As a 

percentage of total MSW generation, discards to landfills or other disposal has consistently 

decreased–from 89 percent of generation in 1980 to 54 percent in 2007. 

156 
Chapter 3 Management of Municipal Solid Waste
 

CHAPTER 3 


REFERENCES
 

GENERAL
 

Franklin Associates, Ltd. Solid Waste Management at the Crossroads. December 1997. 

U.S. Bureau of the Census. Statistical Abstract of the United States. Various years. 

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Municipal Solid Waste Task Force, Office of Solid 

Waste. The Solid Waste Dilemma: An Agenda for Action. February 1989. 

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Characterization of Municipal Solid Waste in the United 

States: 1990 Update. EPA/530-SW-90-042. June 1991. 

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Characterization of Municipal Solid Waste in the United 

States: 1992 Update. EPA/530-R-92-019. July 1992. 

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Characterization of Municipal Solid Waste in the United 

States: 1994 Update. EPA/530-R-94-042. November 1994. 

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Characterization of Municipal Solid Waste in the United 

States: 1995 Update. EPA/530-R-945-001. March 1996. 

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Characterization of Municipal Solid Waste in the United 

States: 1996 Update. EPA/530-R-97-015. June 1997. 

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Characterization of Municipal Solid Waste in the United 

States: 1997 Update. EPA/530-R-98-007. May 1998. 

157 
Chapter 3 Management of Municipal Solid Waste
 

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Municipal Solid Waste in the United States: 1999 Facts 

and Figures. EPA/530-R-01-014. July 2001. 

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Municipal Solid Waste in The United States: 2000 Facts 

and Figures. EPA/530-R-02-001. June 2002. http://www.epa.gov/epaoswer/nonhw/muncpl/pubs/report-00.pdf. 

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Municipal Solid Waste in The United States: 2001 Facts 

and Figures. EPA/530-R-03-011. October 2003. http://www.epa.gov/epaoswer/nonhw/muncpl/pubs/msw2001.pdf. 

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Municipal Solid Waste in The United States: 2005 Facts 

and Figures. EPA530-R-06-011. October 2006. http://www.epa.gov/epaoswer/nonhw/muncpl/pubs/mswchar05.pdf. 

SOURCE REDUCTION 

Congress of the United States, Office of Technology Assessment. Green Products by Design: 

Choices for a Cleaner Environment. OTA-E-541. October 1992. 

Council on Packaging in the Environment. “COPE Backgrounder: Source Reduction.” March 

1995. 

Franklin Associates, Ltd. Materials Technology: Packaging Design and the Environment. 

Congress of the United States, Office of Technology Assessment. April 1991. 

Franklin Associates, Ltd. The Role of Recycling in Integrated Solid Waste Management to the 

Year 2000. Keep America Beautiful, Inc. 1994. 

158 
 

Chapter 3 Management of Municipal Solid Waste
 

Rattray, Tom. “Source Reduction—An Endangered Species?” Resource Recycling. November 

1990. 

Raymond Communications Inc. State Recycling Laws Update Year-End Edition 1998. 

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The Consumer’s Handbook for Reducing Solid Waste. 

EPA/530-K-92-003. August 1992. 

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Waste Wise: Second Year Progress Report. EPA/530-R96-016. September 1996. 

RECOVERY FOR RECYCLING AND COMPOSTING 

Block, Dave, and Nora Goldstein. “Solid Waste Composting Trends in the U.S.” BioCycle. 

November 2000. 


Businesses & Environmentalists Allied for Recycling (BEAR). Understanding Beverage
 

Container Recycling. October 2001. 


Container Recycling Institute. 2006. www.container-recycling.org/
 

Franklin Associates, A Division of ERG. Review of state solid waste management websites. 


Various years. 


Glenn, Jim. “MSW Composting in the United States.” BioCycle. November 1997. 


Glenn, Jim. “The State of Garbage in America.” BioCycle. April 1998. 


Goldstein, Nora, and Celeste Madtes. “The State of Garbage in America.” BioCycle. November 

2000. 

159 
Chapter 3 Management of Municipal Solid Waste
 

Goldstein, Nora. “The State of Garbage in America.” BioCycle. December 2001. 


Governmental Advisory Associates. The Materials Recycling and Processing Industry in the 

United States: 1995-96 Yearbook, Atlas, and Directory. 1995. 

Governmental Advisory Associates. 1997 Update to the Materials Recycling and Processing 


Industry in the United States. 1997. 


Governmental Advisory Associates. Personal communication with Eileen Berenyi. 1998, 2002.
 

Governmental Advisory Associates. Custom report. 2006, 2007, 2008. 


Kreith, Frank. Handbook of Solid Waste Management. McGraw-Hill, Inc. 1994. 


Personal communication with California Integrated Waste Management staff. August 2006. 


Personal communication with a representative of the Illinois Recycling Association. August
 

2006. 


Simmons, Phil, et al. “The State of Garbage in America.” BioCycle. April 2006. 


Spencer, Robert, Rhodes Yepsen and Nora Goldstein. BioCycle Nationwide Survey. "Mixed 


MSW Composting in Transition." November 2007. 


The Composting Council. “MSW Composting Facilities.” Fall 1995. 


U.S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of the Census. Statistical Abstract of the United States. 

Various years. 

160 
Chapter 3 Management of Municipal Solid Waste
 

Yepsen, Rhodes and Nora Goldstein. Biocycle Nationwide Survey. "Source Separated 

Residential Composting in the U.S." December 2007. 

COMBUSTION WITH ENERGY RECOVERY 

“1991-1992 Energy-From-Waste Report.” Solid Waste & Power. HCI Publications. October 

1991, December 1990. 

Simmons, Phil, et al. “The State of Garbage in America.” BioCycle. April 2006. 

Integrated Waste Services Association. “High Court Rules Ash Not Exempt from Subtitle C 

Regulation.” Update. Summer 1994. 

Integrated Waste Services Association. The IWSA Directory of Waste-to-Energy Plants. Various 

years. 

Kiser, Jonathan V.L. “A Comprehensive Report on the Status of Municipal Waste Combustion.” 

Waste Age. November 1990. 

Kiser, Jonathan V.L. “Municipal Waste Combustion in North America: 1992 Update.” Waste 

Age. November 1992. 

Kiser, Jonathan V.L. “The 1992 Municipal Waste Combustion Guide.” National Solid Wastes 

Management Association. February 1992. 

Kiser, Jonathan V.L. “The IWSA Municipal Waste Combustion Directory: 1993.” Integrated 

Waste Services Association. February 1994. 

Kiser, Jonathan V.L., and John Menapace. “The 1995 IWSA Municipal Waste Combustion 

Directory of United States Facilities.” Integrated Waste Services Association. March 1995. 

161 
Chapter 3 Management of Municipal Solid Waste
 

Kiser, Jonathan V.L., and John Menapace. “The 1996 IWSA Municipal Waste Combustion 

Directory of United States Facilities.” Integrated Waste Services Association. March 1996. 

Rigo, Greg and Maria Zannes. “The 1997-1998 IWSA Waste-to-Energy Director of United 

States Facilities.” Integrated Waste Services Association. November 1997. 

Levy, Steven J. Municipal Waste Combustion Inventory. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 

Office of Solid Waste, Municipal & Industrial Solid Waste Division. November 22, 1991. 

National Solid Wastes Management Association. “The 1992 Municipal Waste Combustion 

Guide.” Waste Age. November 1992. 

“The 1991 Municipal Waste Combustion Guide.” Waste Age. November 1991. 

162 
Appendix A Materials Flow Methodology
 

APPENDIX A 

MATERIALS FLOW METHODOLOGY 

The materials flow methodology is illustrated in Figures A-1 and A-2. The crucial first 

step is making estimates of the generation of the materials and products in MSW (Figure A-1). 

DOMESTIC PRODUCTION 

Data on domestic production of materials and products were compiled using published 

data series. U.S. Department of Commerce sources were used where available, but in several 

instances more detailed information on production of goods by end use is available from industry 

associations. The goal is to obtain a consistent historical data series for each product and/or 

material. 

CONVERTING SCRAP 

The domestic production numbers were then adjusted for converting or fabrication scrap 

generated in the production processes. Examples of these kinds of scrap would be clippings from 

plants that make boxes from paperboard, glass scrap (cullet) generated in a glass bottle plant, or 

plastic scrap from a fabricator of plastic consumer products. This scrap typically has a high value 

because it is clean and readily identifiable, and it is almost always recovered and recycled within 

the industry that generated it. Thus, recovered converting/fabrication scrap is not counted as part 

of the postconsumer recovery of waste. 

ADJUSTMENTS FOR IMPORTS/EXPORTS 

In some instances imports and exports of products are a significant part of MSW, and 

adjustments were made to account for this. 

163 
Appendix A Materials Flow Methodology
 

DIVERSION 

Various adjustments were made to account for diversions from MSW. Some consumer 

products are permanently diverted from the municipal waste stream because of the way they are 

used. For example, some paperboard is used in building materials, which are not counted as 

MSW. Another example of diversion is toilet tissue, which is disposed in sewer systems rather 

than becoming MSW. 

In other instances, products are temporarily diverted from the municipal waste stream. 

For example, textiles reused as rags are assumed to enter the waste stream the same year the 

textiles are initially discarded. 

ADJUSTMENTS FOR PRODUCT LIFETIME 

Some products (e.g., newspapers and packaging) normally have a very short lifetime; 

these products are assumed to be discarded in the same year they are produced. In other instances 

(e.g., furniture and appliances), products have relatively long lifetimes. Data on average product 

lifetimes are used to adjust the data series to account for this. 

RECOVERY 

Data on recovery of materials and products for recycling are compiled using industry data 

adjusted, when appropriate, with U.S. Department of Commerce import/export data. Recovery 

estimates of yard trimmings or food scraps for composting are developed from data provided by 

state officials and processors of these materials. 

164 
Appendix A Materials Flow Methodology
 

DISCARDS 

Mathematically, discards equal that portion of generation remaining after recovery for 

recycling and composting. Discards can be disposed through combustion with or without energy 

recovery or landfilling. The amount of MSW consumed at combustion facilities with energy 

recovery is estimated, and the difference between total discards and the amount sent to 

combustion for energy recovery is assumed to be landfilled or combusted without energy 

recovery. (This assumption is not quite accurate, as some MSW is littered or disposed on-site, 

e.g., by backyard burning. These amounts are believed to be a small fraction of total discards.) 

MUNICIPAL SOLID WASTE GENERATION, RECOVERY, AND DISCARDS 

The result of these estimates and calculations is a material-by-material and product-byproduct estimate of MSW generation, recovery, and discards. 

165 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Appendix A Materials Flow Methodology
 

Domestic Production 

of 

Materials/Products 

Imports 

of 

Materials/Products Exports 

of 

Materials/Products 

Conversion/ 

fabricating 

Scrap 

Diversion 

of 

Materials/Products 

Municipal 

Solid Waste 

Generation 

Temporary 

Diversion 

Permanent
 

Diversion
 

Figure A-1. Material flows methodology for estimating
 

generation of products and materials in municipal solid waste.
 

166 
 

 

 

 

 

 

Appendix A Materials Flow Methodology
 

MSW 

Generation 

Recovery 

for 

Composting 

Recovery 

for 

Recycling 

Discards 

to Landfill 

and 

Other 

Disposal 

Discards 

after 

Recycling 

and 

Composting 

Recovery for 

Combustion 

with 

Energy 

Recovery 

Recovery for 

Combustion 

without 

Energy Recovery 

Figure A-2. Material flows methodology for estimating 

discards of products and materials in municipal solid waste. 

167 
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