In the United States, the vast majority of plastic in the municipal solid waste stream is landfilled. In 2018, U.S. plastic waste generation totaled **** million tons, of which approximately ** million tons was disposed of at landfill sites.
While the volume of plastic waste that is recycled has increased significantly since the 1980's, just **** million tons was recycled in 2018.
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Environmental Protection Agency. (January 23, 2021). Volume of plastic in municipal solid waste stream in the U.S. from 1960 to 2018, by disposal method (in 1,000 tons) [Graph]. In ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ. Retrieved July 27, 2026, from /statistics/946227/disposal-of-us-plastic-waste-weight/
Environmental Protection Agency. "Volume of plastic in municipal solid waste stream in the U.S. from 1960 to 2018, by disposal method (in 1,000 tons)." Chart. January 23, 2021. ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ. Accessed July 27, 2026. /statistics/946227/disposal-of-us-plastic-waste-weight/
Environmental Protection Agency. (2021). Volume of plastic in municipal solid waste stream in the U.S. from 1960 to 2018, by disposal method (in 1,000 tons). ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ. ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ Inc.. Accessed: July 27, 2026. /statistics/946227/disposal-of-us-plastic-waste-weight/
Environmental Protection Agency. "Volume of Plastic in Municipal Solid Waste Stream in The U.S. from 1960 to 2018, by Disposal Method (in 1,000 Tons)." ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ, ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ Inc., 23 Jan 2021, /statistics/946227/disposal-of-us-plastic-waste-weight/
Environmental Protection Agency, Volume of plastic in municipal solid waste stream in the U.S. from 1960 to 2018, by disposal method (in 1,000 tons) ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ, /statistics/946227/disposal-of-us-plastic-waste-weight/ (last visited July 27, 2026)
Volume of plastic in municipal solid waste stream in the U.S. from 1960 to 2018, by disposal method (in 1,000 tons) [Graph], Environmental Protection Agency, January 23, 2021. [Online]. Available: /statistics/946227/disposal-of-us-plastic-waste-weight/
