ABSTRACT

This chapter has been extracted from the most recent in a series of reports released by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to characterize municipal solid waste (MSW) in the United States. This report characterizes the national municipal waste stream based on data through 2011. As characterized in the EPA report, MSW includes wastes from residences and commercial establishments. No construction and demolition debris or industrial wastes are included. (Some wastes from industrial establishments, such as packaging and office wastes, are, however, included.)