Environmental protection is a major concern in the U.S. Even as local governments push for recycling programs that benefit the community and the environment, there's still a long way to go. Explore the current state of recycling, the context of key statistics, and strategies for improvement.
9 Facts About Recycling in the U.S.
1. Excess Waste in the U.S. Per Person
The average American produces about 4.9 pounds of waste per day, which amounts to more than 1,800 pounds every year. That makes the United States one of the top waste generators in the world on a per-person basis.
Recent estimates put annual U.S. municipal solid waste at approximately 950 kilograms per person—far higher than the global average of about 280 kilograms. Most European nations, including Germany and France, generate closer to 500 to 600 kilograms per person each year. Japan and South Korea come in even lower, often below 400 kilograms annually, partly due to stricter waste policies and higher recycling participation.
This is a clear signal that change is needed. By understanding the scale of waste generated, individuals and businesses can identify ways to reduce waste and make a real impact.
2. Billions in Resources Lost Every Year
Buried in our mountains of waste are valuable metals, plastics, paper, and glass worth an estimated $6.5 billion annually. In other words, every overflowing landfill represents billions of dollars being thrown away instead of being recovered and reused.
3. National Recycling Rate Is Stagnant
For decades, the U.S. steadily improved recycling rates, but progress has stalled. Currently, only about one-third of municipal solid waste is recycled or composted. That means most of the trash we generate still goes to landfills or incineration facilities. To put it into perspective, for every 100 pounds of waste we create, about 68 pounds are wasted rather than recovered.
4. Recycling Participation Is Low
Less than half of U.S. households recycle consistently. Among those that do, contamination is a major problem. Contamination happens when nonrecyclable items or dirty materials are mixed into the recycling bin, which can damage equipment, erode the quality of recovered materials, and sometimes cause entire loads to be sent to the landfill.
Recycling is often seen as simple, but it’s far more complicated behind the scenes. Unclear guidelines further contribute to this issue. Learn more about what can and cannot be recycled.
5. Plastics Are Barely Recycled
Despite appearing everywhere in daily life, plastics are the weakest link in U.S. recycling. Estimates show that only about 5% to 8% of plastic waste is recycled, while the rest ends up in landfills, gets burned, or escapes into the environment.
6. Glass Is a Missed Opportunity
Glass is one of the few materials that can be recycled endlessly without losing quality; however, only about 40% of glass containers are actually recovered in the U.S. This is partly because communities lack strong collection programs for glass, and broken or contaminated pieces often cannot be reused. With the right systems in place, glass recycling rates could be much higher, which would reduce the need for new raw materials and lower energy consumption.
7. Metals Perform Better But Fall Short
Aluminum cans and steel products are far more valuable to recycling programs than glass or plastic, yet their recovery rates still leave a lot of room for growth. Around 37% of aluminum and 3% of steel gets recycled. That is frustrating when you consider the fact that aluminum can be recycled indefinitely and uses 95% less energy to produce from recycled scrap compared to raw ore.
8. E-Waste Is the Fastest-Growing Waste Stream
Americans discard millions of tons of electronics every year, from old phones to broken laptops, and only a small fraction is ever recycled. E-waste contains both valuable metals, such as gold and copper, and hazardous materials that can pollute soil and water if not handled properly. Despite its importance, recycling rates for electronics remain far below what they should be.
9. Food Waste Is the Largest Component of Landfills
More than one-third of all food produced in the United States is never eaten, and discarded food comprises the biggest share of landfill waste. In 2018 alone, more than 63 million tons of food were wasted, much of it ending up in landfills where it produces methane, a greenhouse gas over 25 times more powerful than carbon dioxide.
The average American family of four throws away nearly $1,500 worth of food every year. Tackling this problem is easier said than done, because it is not an issue with infrastructure as much as it is with our consumption habits.
Tips for Improving Recycling Rates
These nine statistics may seem discouraging at first, but they serve as a wake-up call that shows us exactly where we need to do better and how much room there is for improvement. This section will help you understand the correct way to recycle and where to go for help if you have any questions.
Reach Out to Your Local Government
The best way to learn how to improve recycling in your area is by reaching out directly to your local government office. The reason why we encourage you to contact them is because no two recycling facilities operate the same way, and each has different capabilities. Your government office will provide details about which materials are accepted for curbside pickup and can also share information about special recycling events or hazardous waste collection days that help keep the community clean.
Know What Can and Cannot Be Recycled
After consulting with your local government office, you should have a clearer idea of what materials are accepted for recycling in your area. Take a look at our guide on how to simplify recycling for additional tips.
While the ultimate goal is to recycle as much as possible, there are some items that simply cannot be processed due to their nature. Some of these include plastic bags, Styrofoam, electronics, batteries, paint, and light bulbs, so you should keep this in mind before tossing them into your curbside bin.
The reason why they cannot be recycled with regular materials depends on the item itself. Some clog sorting machines, some contain hazardous chemicals, and others require specialized facilities to process safely.
Have a Lot of Recyclables?
If you are dealing with a large amount of recyclables from a home, office, or warehouse cleanout, a roll-off dumpster rental is one of the easiest ways to manage it. Instead of worrying about sorting everything yourself, you can place all accepted materials into the container, and we take care of the rest. Once the dumpster is picked up, it is delivered to a single-stream recycling facility where the load is sorted and sent to the right recycling centers.
At Sourgum, our goal is to divert as much waste from landfills as possible. We work directly with recycling facilities and local partners to make sure items are properly processed and reused whenever possible. Additionally, we plant a tree for every dumpster rented, which helps offset emissions from collection and transport.
