How much waste do the think the average U.S. citizen produces each year? According to the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency), the average U.S. citizen produced 4.4 pounds of waste per day during 2000. This is the equivalent of over 1600 pounds of trash per year per person or more than 220 tons of waste being generated each year.
Trash comes from many sources, including bottles, boxes, cans, yard trimmings, grass clippings, furniture, clothing, newspapers, and much more. Americans also dispose of several million tons of tires, appliances, furniture, paper, clothing, and other durable and non-durable goods each year as well. Packaging waste, including glass, aluminum, plastics, metals, paper, and paperboard, also contributes significantly to our annual waste totals. Even yard trimmings, such as grass clippings and tree limbs, are a substantial part of what is thrown away.
The good news? Americans are embracing recycling programs in records numbers. The EPA estimates that over 30% of the waste produced by Americans during 2000 actually ended up in recycling programs. Commonly recycled items include certain plastics, paper, and cardboard. Certain communities and businesses have also established recycling programs for some of the more toxic products produced by our society, including batteries, printer/toner cartridges, computers, and even used oil!
To learn about local recycling programs, please visit the following:
