Some Facts About Waste

• In 2018, the average American generated ​4.74 pounds of waste per day.  In 1960, that number was 2.68 pounds. 1
• The recycling rate has been decreasing yearly since 2015. 1
• In 2018 China reduced the amount of plastics purchased from the US by 88% over 2017. 2
• Each Texan throws out 6.84 pounds of trash per day. 3
• Texans recycle 2.04 pound of trash per day. 4
• The Collin County Landfill opened in 2004 and was designed to last for 65 years.  It will now last for less than 22 more years. 5

1. EPA.gov, National Overview: Facts and Figures on Materials, Wastes and Recycling 
2. May 29, 2018, R. Fanning  A Collapsing Market in China Means Texans May have to Pay to recycle, University of Texas at Austin, KUT News
3. 2017 TCEQ Annual Summary
4. 2017 Take Care of Texas, Recycling in Texas
5. 2019 North Texas Municipal Waste District, Solid Waste - Planning for the future.