See How Your Region Compares
Results from EREF’s facility-based assessment indicate approximately 347 million tons of municipal solid waste (MSW) were managed in the U.S. in 2013. Nationally, 64% of MSW was managed via landfilling, 21% via recycling, 9% via WTE, and 6% via composting. The portion of MSW managed at each of these endpoints varies by state and region, however.
While landfills are the final destination for the majority of MSW in all regions, the portion ranges from 83% in the South Central region to 47% in the Northeast. The Northeast manages the highest fraction of MSW via WTE
(26%). Recycling and composting were both highest in the Pacific region.
Want to learn more about the waste management trends in your region?
EREF’s recent report MSW Management in the U.S.: 2010 and 2013 provides state, region, and national statistics on the amount of MSW managed in 2010 and 2013 and the portion managed by each facility type. Additionally, the report provides analysis of waste management infrastructure in terms of ownership, type, and regional differences.
The report also addresses special topics for each management option, such as:
- Landfilling
- Portion of waste managed by the largest landfills in each state
- Composition of non-MSW materials managed at MSW landfills
- Recycling
- Distribution of material recovery facilities (MRFs)
- Portion of MSW recycling facilities using various types of equipment
- Composition of MSW processed for recycling
- Composting
- Composition of feedstock managed at MSW composting facilities, including non-MSW organics
- WTE
- Use of mass burn and refuse-derived fuel in each state
- Relationship between landfill tipping fees and use of WTE
For more information, visit www.erefdn.org.