In 2012, Americans generated 250.9 million tons of waste. it works out to 1,598.5 tons per person per year.

Food waste, yard trimmings, corrugated boxes, “other miscellaneous durables” (non-electronic metal and other durable products that are not furniture, carpets, appliances, carpets or tires) and non-groundwood printing and writing paper (office paper, etc.) and are the largest items by weight in MSW before recycling.