FIGURE 51.5 Composition and sources of municipal solid waste (MSW) in the United States. (a) The composition, by weight, of MSW in the United States in 2011 before recycling. Paper, food, and yard waste make up more than half of the MSW by weight. (b) The breakdown of the material that is recovered and the material that is discarded. Paper makes up more than half of the material that is recovered. Food and yard waste make up almost one-third of material that is discarded.

(After U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, MSW Generation, Recycling and Disposal in the United States: Facts and FIGUREs for 2011)