This graph shows the material composition of the municipal waste stream throughout the United States. (This composition may vary from one community to the next.)

By analyzing the solid waste of old landfills, researchers estimate this waste to be in the following categories by weight and volume percentage.

Review the information in the chart. You can easily see how plastics figure into the waste stream equation. Plastics are not the major component of solid waste!

*Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. "Characterization of Municipal Solid Waste in the United States: 1998 Update." Reproduced with the permission of The American Plastics Council.

Though the information is offered in good faith and believed to be accurate, all statements and suggestions are made without warranty, express or implied. Reprinted with permission from the Association of Rotational Molders.