Bruna Alves
Research lead covering environment and sustainability
Waste management in the United States - Statistics & Facts
The United States is one of the largest producers of waste worldwide, and as such, waste management is a major industry in the country. It manages several different waste types, including industrial, hazardous, and municipal solid waste. In 2022, the revenue of waste management services in the U.S. surpassed 140 billion U.S. dollars, after a decade of continuous growth. U.S. waste is regulated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) under the 1976 Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA).
Municipal solid waste treatment and disposal
The waste management industry is responsible for collecting, treating, and disposing of waste types in a manner that minimizes environmental and health impacts. There are several municipal waste disposal methods available, including landfilling, recycling, and energy recovery. Of the roughly 300 million tons of MSW generated in the U.S. each year, around 50 percent is disposed of at landfill sites. Although MSW recycling rates in the U.S. have increased considerably since the 1960s, progress has stalled in the past decade, remaining just above 30 percent. U.S. recycling rates are low when compared to other countries, especially those in Europe.Hazardous waste management
Federal regulations require large quantity hazardous waste generators (those whose sites generate 1,000 kilograms or more in any calendar month) to submit a report every two years regarding the hazardous waste generated at their facilities. In 2021, over 37 million tons of hazardous waste were managed in the U.S. There are now more than 1,000 hazardous waste sites in the country, with the highest numbers found in the states of New Jersey, California, and Pennsylvania. These highly contaminated sites are often referred to as “Superfund sites” and include landfills or mines where toxic waste has been dumped or improperly managed.Leading waste management companies
Many of the largest waste management companies worldwide are based in the U.S., such as industry giants Waste Management Inc. and Republic Services. Headquartered in Houston, Texas, Waste Management Inc. generated a revenue of roughly 20 billion U.S. dollars in 2022. Through its subsidiaries, the company operates a large network of landfills and waste management services across the U.S. and Canada. Meanwhile, Arizona-based Republic Services generated revenue of some 13.5 billion U.S. dollars in 2022. Combined, the two companies account for roughly half of the landfill volume managed in the U.S.
