That's about one ton for every person every year. Our job is to work with local government officials, business owners, residents, and others to reduce that amount, reuse and recycle as much as possible, take out the toxics, and dispose of what is left in a way that protects public health and the environment. The good news is that we are making significant progress. Today, we recycle over 2.5 million tons of material each year, saving Massachusetts from having to build six additional landfills equal to the state's largest. These materials are then transported to manufacturers in Massachusetts and around the world to make new products, many of which are purchased by the state.
Recycling is also very much an economic success story.
One of the prime agencies responsible for increasing the use of recycled materials by Massachusetts' manufacturers is the Chelsea Center for Recycling and Economic Development. Massachusetts' programs to reduce the toxicity of the waste stream have been a model around the country for their cost-effective approach and their focus on priority materials. We have come a long way, but there is, of course, much more to be accomplished. As the economy continues to boom, people buy more and throw out more. Garbage generation has continued to increase, now at 7.8 million tons each year.