Paper packaging accounted for nearly three-quarters of all packaging materials recovered for recycling in 2007 according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

graph
Packaging Type Million Tons Recovered Share of Total
Paper and Paperboard24.9 74.3%
Glass3.22 9.6%
Metal2.46 7.3%
Plastic1.59 4.7%
All Other1.33 4%
Total33.5 100%
   
2007 data   
Source: Municipal Solid Waste in the United States: 2007 Facts and Figures   

did you know...

  • In 2009 a record-high 63.4% of the paper used in the U.S. was recovered for recycling.
  • Every ton of paper recycled saves more than 3.3 cubic yards of landfill space.
  • 87 percent (268 million) of Americans have access to curbside or drop-off paper recycling programs.
  • In 2009 the amount of paper recovered for recycling averaged 325 pounds for each man, woman, and child in the United States.

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