Solid waste represents a major and growing environmental issue, especially in urban areas. In just 10 years (2002-2012) urban solid waste generation per year roughly doubled to reach 1.3 billion metric tons. Urban areas in more developed nations such as those in the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)—which includes the United States and other free-economy countries—generate the most solid waste per person. Though municipal solid waste makes up a small part of the total waste produced (about 2% in the United States), it is the type of waste we can most directly impact with our day-to-day choices.