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Environment

Recycling and Conservation

How much has recycling of municipal solid waste grown since 1960?

In 1960 the recycling rate was 6.4 percent. It has grown to 33.2 percent in 2008. On average, Americans recycled and composted 1.5 pounds (0.7 kilograms) of our individual waste generation of 4.5 pounds (2 kilograms) per person per day.

Recycling in the United States, 1960–2008
Year Weight (thousands of tons) Percent of Total Solid Waste
1960 5,610 6.4
1970 8,020 6.6
1980 14,520 9.6
1990 33,240 16.2
2000 69,330 29.0
2005 79,180 31.7
2008 82,870 33.2


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