Waste Statistics and Overall Recycling (2024)

FAQs

What are the statistics about waste and recycling? ›

On average, Americans throw away about 1,200 pounds of organic garbage each year. We only recycle about 67.2 million tons of a possible 267.8 million tons – less than a quarter of total MSW. The EPA estimates that around 75% of all waste is recyclable. Each American produces about 4.51 pounds of trash in a single day.

In the United States, the rate of paper and paperboard was nearly 68% in 2022, indicating a strong recycling culture. Recycled paper produces 39% less solid waste. Notably, corrugated boxes had a recycling rate of 96.5%, while paper containers and packaging, excluding corrugated boxes, had a rate of 20.8%.

Recycling 1 ton (about 2,000 pounds) of paper saves 17 trees, 2 barrels of oil (enough to run the average car for 1,260 miles), 4,100 kilowatts of energy (enough power for the average home for 6 months), 3.2 cubic yards of landfill space and 60 pounds of pollution.

Key Recycling Statistics and Trends:

The recycling rate has increased from less than 7% in 1960 to the current rate of 32%. The municipal solid waste (MSW) recycling rate in the U.S. is 35%. Between 70% and 90% of all items that could be recycled in the United States end up in the landfill.

In the United States, only about 5% to 6% of plastics are being recycled each year—a paltry rate.

For the environment, recycling:

Reduces the amount of waste sent to landfills and incinerators. Conserves natural resources such as timber, water and minerals. Prevents pollution and reduces greenhouse gases by reducing the need to mine and process new raw materials.

Recycling provides many benefits to our environment. By recycling our materials, we create a healthier planet for ourselves and future generations. Conserve natural resources: Recycling reduces the need to extract resources such as timber, water, and minerals for new products.

Recycling also reduces the emissions of many air and water pollutants, saves energy, supplies valuable raw materials to industry, creates jobs, stimulates the development of greener technologies, generates less solid waste, reduces litter, conserves natural resources for future generations, and reduces the need for new ...

Recycling often saves energy and natural resources. Natural resources include land, plants, minerals, and water. When we use materials more than once, we conserve natural resources.

Reported rate of recycling among U.S. adults by age group 2019. Reported recycling rate is the highest among younger generations where 92 percent of respondents between 18 and 34 years stated that they recycled, while only 68 percent of those over 65 years old reported recycling.

Who recycles the most? ›

Germany has the highest recycling rate in the world. The nation recycles an impressive 66.1% of its waste. How did it become the world's best recycler?

Why recycling isn't working in the U.S. Many recyclables become contaminated when items are placed in the wrong bin, or when a dirty food container gets into the recycling bin. Contamination can prevent large batches of material from being recycled. Other materials can't be processed in certain facilities.

Recycling is on the rise across the United States, increasing from less than 7% in 1960 to the current rate of 32%. While progress is being made, considerable efforts remain necessary to reach the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) National Recycling Goal of 50% by 2030.

Recycling also reduces the emissions of many air and water pollutants, saves energy, supplies valuable raw materials to industry, creates jobs, stimulates the development of greener technologies, generates less solid waste, reduces litter, conserves natural resources for future generations, and reduces the need for new ...

The EPA estimates that 75% of the American waste stream is recyclable, but we only recycle about 30% of it.

33 percent of schools sampled have some type of composting available on campus, yet the types of materials accepted in these programs varied; 24 percent is the average recycling rate at surveyed schools; and. 45 percent is the average diversion rate—which includes recycling and composting activities—at surveyed schools ...