MUNICIPAL SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT AND DISPOSAL - Environmentally Conscious Materials Handling - page 139

Ta b l e 5 . 2 Composition of Municipal Solid Waste Generated in the United States from
2000 to 2006 (in 1000 tons and percentage ∗ )
Waste Component Weight Percentage 2006 Percentage

Paper and Paperboard 82,660-87,550 33.9-36.8 33.9

Glass 12,340-13,200 5.1-5.4 5.3

Metals 18,280-19,130 7.5-7.9 7.6

Plastic 25,270-29,490 10.6-11.7 11.7

Rubber and Leather 6,540-6,820 2.6-2.8 2.6

Textiles 9,810-11,840 4.0-4.7 4.7

Wood 13,020-13,930 5.5-5.7 5.5

Food Waste 26,980-31,250 11.4-12.4 12.4

Yard Waste 27,980-32,400 12.7-13.1 12.9

Other ∗∗ 7,690-8,270 3.3-3.4 3.4

Total MSW Generated ∗ 231,230-251,340 100
∗ Generation before materials recovery or combustion. Does not include construction and demolition
debris, industrial process wastes, or certain other wastes.
∗∗ Includes miscellaneous organic and inorganic wastes.
Source: U.S. EPA 2007

Other wastes
16.1%

Paper and
paperboard
33.9% Food wastes

12.4%

Yard trimmings
12.9%

Glass
5.3%

Metals
7.6%

Plastics
11.7%

Figure 5.1 Composition of municipal solid waste generated in the United States in 2006
(percentages of total generation)

in 2006, although it also stabilized since 2004. Its low-density, high-strength,
user-friendly design and fabrication capabilities and low cost are the drivers to
such growth (Subramanian 2000). It is also interesting to note that the generation
of glass, metals, and yard waste has been more or less steady throughout the
years.