Curbside recycling is the most popular recycling program in the United States. In 2021, over ** percent of the U.S. population had access to curbside recycling services only, while an additional ** percent had access to both curbside and drop-off recycling. When compared to other developed countries around the world, the recycling rate in the United States is rather low, especially in contrast to European countries such as Germany, Slovenia or Austria.

For each Community District, its Recycling Diversion rate (percentage of total municipal solid waste collected by the Department of Sanitation that is disposed of by recycling) and Capture Rate (percentage of total Paper or Metal/Glass/Plastic in the waste stream that is disposed of by recycling). For more information about DSNY's recycling programs, see: https://www1.nyc.gov/assets/dsny/site/services/recycling. Capture rate is the amount of materials set out for residential recycling collection as a percentage of designated recyclable materials in both recycling and refuse streams. This ratio measures how much of the targeted materials are actually being recycled, which is a measure of how successfully such materials are recycled. Please note that since 2013, DSNY no longer uses capture rate information. For information on what is in NYC's waste, see: http://www1.nyc.gov/assets/dsny/site/resources/reports/waste-characterization.

In 2022, roughly ** percent of U.S. adults reported that they recycle most or all of their household's plastic waste - a slight increase from 2020. Meanwhile, ** percent of respondents said that they recycled very little or none of their household's plastic waste in 2022. Plastic recycling is a growing issue in the U.S., with ** percent of adults believing the U.S. plastic recycling system needs improvement.

This statistic shows the results of a survey among Americans in 2017 in regards to the types of materials they are recycling, with a breakdown by gender. As of March 2017, some 80 percent of the responding women stated that they recycled paper and cardboard materials.

Locations of public recycling bins throughout NYC. For information on what to recycle in NYC, see: https://www1.nyc.gov/assets/dsny/site/services/recycling.

Employment statistics on the Recycling Facilities industry in the US

One of the first mass recycling programs in the United States was implemented in 1970 in Hawaii. Since then, the recovery of municipal solid waste (MSW) for recycling has increased, surpassing 69 million tons in 2018.

Plastic waste recycling China was once the leading destination for plastic waste exports from the United States. However, in 2017, the East Asian country implemented a ban on the import of most plastic waste. Since then, shipments of U.S. plastic waste have changed, with neighboring countries Canada and Mexico now being the main destinations. In addition to that, much of the previously exported plastic waste must now be dealt with domestically but – despite having increased in recent years – the plastic recycling rate in the North American country is still low.

Recycling schemes in the U.S. Single stream recycling is one of the most commonly used recycling schemes by material recovery facilities (MRFs) in the United States. This system allows many different types of recyclables – including paper, plastic, metal, and glass – to be placed into one container. While single stream recycling tends to increase recycling rates due to its ease, encouraging consumers to recycle, more than eight percent of U.S. population do not have access to recycling programs. Furthermore, allowing consumers to put all materials into one waste bin increases contamination such as broken glass or presence of non-recyclable items.

The journal article, "Recycling of Plastics in the United States: Plastic Material Flows and Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) Recycling Processes," has two spreadsheet files associated with it as Supporting Information which are also data sets. The data describes 1) PET Flows for Material Flow Analysis, and 2) Material Recovery Facility (MRF) and Reclaimer Calculations. This dataset is associated with the following publication: Smith, R.L., S. Takkellapati, and R.C. Riegerix. Recycling of Plastics in the United States: Plastic Material Flows and Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) Recycling Processes. ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering. American Chemical Society, Washington, DC, USA, 10(6): 2084-2096, (2022).

This map shows the market potential for an adult to have recycled products in the last 12 months in the U.S. in 2019 in a multiscale map (by country, state, county, ZIP Code, tract, and block group). The pop-up is configured to include the following information for each geography level.Market Potential Index and count of adults expected to have recycled products in the last 12 monthsMarket Potential Index and count of adults expected to have participated in or contributed to environmental groups/causes in the last 12 monthsEsri's 2019 Market Potential (MPI) data measures the likely demand for a product or service in an area. The database includes an expected number of consumers and a Market Potential Index (MPI) for each product or service. An MPI compares the demand for a specific product or service in an area with the national demand for that product or service. The MPI values at the US level are 100, representing average demand for the country. A value of more than 100 represents higher demand than the national average, and a value of less than 100 represents lower demand than the national average. For example, an index of 120 implies that demand in the area is 20 percent higher than the US average; an index of 80 implies that demand is 20 percent lower than the US average. See Market Potential database to view the methodology statement and complete variable list.Esri's Civic Activities & Political Affiliation Data Collection includes data on the likelihood to participate in various civic activities such as voting, fundraising, and recycling, as well as data on political affiliations. The database includes an expected number of consumers and a Market Potential Index (MPI) for each product, activity, or service. See the United States Data Browser to view complete variable lists for each Esri demographics collection.Additional Esri Resources:U.S. 2019/2024 Esri Updated DemographicsEssential demographic vocabularyEsri's arcgis.com demographic mapsPermitted use of this data is covered in the DATA section of the Esri Master Agreement (E204CW) and these supplemental terms.

On America Recycles Day, 2020, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a National Recycling Goal to increase the U.S. recycling rate of materials generated in municipal solid waste (MSW) to 50 percent by 2030. To further this goal and support the building of new recycling infrastructure through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), EPA developed a map displaying estimated generation of recyclable materials, estimated recycled quantities, existing recycling infrastructure, potential recycling end markets, and other MSW infrastructure such as landfills and transfer stations. The map can be used to identify infrastructure gaps, facilitate a needs analysis, and better understand where funding could be allocated to enhance markets. This dataset provides locations of recycling of 15 different types of recycling and other municipal solid waste infrastructure. The dataset includes 15 different types of recycling infrastructure: material recovery facilities (MRFs), anaerobic digesters, composting facilities, electronics recyclers, glass recycling facilities, glass secondary processors, MSW landfills, metals recycling facilities, paper recycling facilities, plastic recycling facilities, textile recycling facilities, tire recycling facilities, transfer stations, wood recycling facilities, and wood secondary processors. The data provide facility name, facility address, county, phone, email, website, NAICS code, infrastructure type, and feedstock for each facility. It relies on data from the Recycling Partnership, Closed Loop Partners, Glass Packaging Institute, and various recycling directories and state websites. Data on anaerobic digesters and composting facilities are pulled from EPA’s Excess Food Opportunities Map. Metals recycling facilities and tire recycling facilities are pulled from EPA’s Disaster Debris Recovery Tool. Information on recycling facilities contained in this map does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by EPA. The map provides estimated U.S. recycling quantities, infrastructure, materials markets, and supporting market factors using the best available data at the time the map was developed (2021-2022). While data sources range from 2011 to 2021, most data are from 2018-2021. The map was created and by Industrial Economics, Inc. (IEc), a consultancy supporting EPA to develop the Recycling Infrastructure and Market Opportunities Map. The map is managed by EPA’s Office of Land and Emergency Management. This project was supported in part by an appointment to the Research Participation Program at the Office of Land and Emergency Management, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, administered by the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education through an interagency agreement between the U.S. Department of Energy and EPA.

Market Size statistics on the Electronic Goods Recycling industry in the US

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has collected and reported data on the generation and disposal of waste in the United States for more than 30 years. We use this information to measure the success of waste reduction and recycling programs across the country. Our trash, or municipal solid waste (MSW), is made up of the things we commonly use and then throw away. These materials include items such as packaging, food scraps, grass clippings, sofas, computers, tires, and refrigerators. MSW does not include industrial, hazardous, or construction waste. The data on Materials Discarded in the Municipal Waste Stream, 1960 to 2009, provides estimated data in thousands of tons discarded after recycling and compost recovery for the years 1960, 1970, 1980, 1990, 2000, 2005, 2007, 2008, and 2009. In this data set, discards include combustion with energy recovery. This data table does not include construction & demolition debris, industrial process wastes, or certain other wastes. The "Other" category includes electrolytes in batteries and fluff pulp, feces, and urine in disposable diapers. Details may not add to totals due to rounding.

The recycling rate of municipal solid waste (MSW) in the United States stood at 32.1 percent in 2018. Although recycling rates in the North American country have increased considerably since the 1990s, it has slowed down in recent years, experiencing little change since 2010.

On America Recycles Day, 2020, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a National Recycling Goal to increase the U.S. recycling rate of materials generated in municipal solid waste (MSW) to 50 percent by 2030. To further this goal and support the building of new recycling infrastructure through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), EPA developed a map displaying estimated generation of recyclable materials, estimated recycled quantities, existing recycling infrastructure, potential recycling end markets, and other MSW infrastructure such as landfills and transfer stations. The map can be used to identify infrastructure gaps, facilitate a needs analysis, and better understand where funding could be allocated to enhance markets. This dataset provides locations of potential recycling end markets in the U.S. Potential secondary end markets are industries that can potentially purchase and use the outputs, made with recycled content, of primary end markets. The dataset includes end markets for 7 different materials: glass, paper, organics, plastics, metals, textiles, and wood. The data provide facility name, facility address, phone, website, NAICS code, NAICS description, relevant material type(s), and whether they use multiple material types. The layer relies on data from D&B Hoovers 2021. To identify the industries associated with potential secondary end markets, EPA relied on industry reports (e.g., IBISWorld) that define the secondary end markets for recyclable materials. EPA identified the NAICS codes for relevant industries, categorized them by material type, and compiled the list of facilities associated with those NAICS codes from Hoovers. Finally, EPA pulled information from Hoovers for each facility and geocoded facilities using their addresses. The map provides estimated U.S. recycling quantities, infrastructure, materials markets, and supporting market factors using the best available data at the time the map was developed (2021-2022). While data sources range from 2011 to 2021, most data are from 2018-2021. The map was created and by Industrial Economics, Inc. (IEc), a consultancy supporting EPA to develop the Recycling Infrastructure and Market Opportunities Map. The map is managed by EPA’s Office of Land and Emergency Management. This project was supported in part by an appointment to the Research Participation Program at the Office of Land and Emergency Management, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, administered by the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education through an interagency agreement between the U.S. Department of Energy and EPA.

This dataset captures results (i.e., Monitoring Evaluation Factors) for the Municipal Waste Recycling Program in Indonesia, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, and Vietnam. It contains 32 rows and 22 columns.

The North America Waste Recycling Services Market report segments the industry into By Product (Paper & Paperboard, Metals, Plastics, Glass, Batteries & Electronics, Other Products), By Source (Municipal (Residential and Commercial), Industrial, Medical Waste, Construction Waste, Other Sources), By Technology Used (Mechanical Recycling, Chemical Recycling, Biological Recycling, and more), and By Country.

Comprehensive dataset of 26,435 Recycling centers in United States as of July, 2025. Includes verified contact information (email, phone), geocoded addresses, customer ratings, reviews, business categories, and operational details. Perfect for market research, lead generation, competitive analysis, and business intelligence. Download a complimentary sample to evaluate data quality and completeness.

On America Recycles Day, 2020, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a National Recycling Goal to increase the U.S. recycling rate of materials generated in municipal solid waste (MSW) to 50 percent by 2030. To further this goal and support the building of new recycling infrastructure through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), EPA developed a map displaying estimated generation of recyclable materials, estimated recycled quantities, existing recycling infrastructure, potential recycling end markets, and other MSW infrastructure such as landfills and transfer stations. The map can be used to identify infrastructure gaps, facilitate a needs analysis, and better understand where funding could be allocated to enhance markets. The bottle bill layer is sourced from the Container Recycling Institute’s Bottle Bill Resource Guide. For each state, EPA provides information on whether the state has a bottle bill, the deposit prices for aluminum, glass, and PET, and notes on the materials accepted. States that do not have bottle bills are grayed out in the layer. Landfill tipping fees are sourced from the annual Environmental Research & Education Foundation (EREF) Analysis of MSW Landfill Tipping Fees 2020 report. A single tipping fee is reported for each state. Note that the information included in this map is a snapshot of landfill tipping fees in 2020, and tipping fees are expected to fluctuate over time. The map provides estimated U.S. recycling quantities, infrastructure, materials markets, and supporting market factors using the best available data at the time the map was developed (2021-2022). While data sources range from 2011 to 2021, the most data are from 2018-2021. Refer to the technical methodology document for the specific years of data used to create each data layer. The map was created by Industrial Economics, Inc. (IEc), a consultancy supporting EPA to develop the Recycling Infrastructure and Market Opportunities Map. The map is managed by EPA’s Office of Land and Emergency Management. This project was supported in part by an appointment to the Research Participation Program at the Office of Land and Emergency Management, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, administered by the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education through an interagency agreement between the U.S. Department of Energy and EPA.

Click here to download these data in a file geodatabase. Log into ArcGIS Online to download data directly from this feature service. Create an ArcGIS Online account.On America Recycles Day, 2020, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a National Recycling Goal to increase the U.S. recycling rate of materials generated in municipal solid waste (MSW) to 50 percent by 2030. To further this goal and support the building of new recycling infrastructure through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), EPA developed a map displaying estimated generation of recyclable materials, estimated recycled quantities, existing recycling infrastructure, potential recycling end markets, and other MSW infrastructure such as landfills and transfer stations. The map can be used to identify infrastructure gaps, facilitate a needs analysis, and better understand where funding could be allocated to enhance markets. The bottle bill layer is sourced from the Container Recycling Institute’s Bottle Bill Resource Guide. For each state, EPA provides information on whether the state has a bottle bill, the deposit prices for aluminum, glass, and PET, and notes on the materials accepted. States that do not have bottle bills are grayed out in the layer. Landfill tipping fees are sourced from the annual Environmental Research & Education Foundation (EREF) Analysis of MSW Landfill Tipping Fees 2020 report. A single tipping fee is reported for each state. Note that the information included in this map is a snapshot of landfill tipping fees in 2020, and tipping fees are expected to fluctuate over time. The map provides estimated U.S. recycling quantities, infrastructure, materials markets, and supporting market factors using the best available data at the time the map was developed (2021-2022). While data sources range from 2011 to 2021, the most data are from 2018-2021. Refer to the technical methodology document for the specific years of data used to create each data layer. The map was created by Industrial Economics, Inc. (IEc), a consultancy supporting EPA to develop the Recycling Infrastructure and Market Opportunities Map. The map is managed by EPA’s Office of Land and Emergency Management. This project was supported in part by an appointment to the Research Participation Program at the Office of Land and Emergency Management, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, administered by the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education through an interagency agreement between the U.S. Department of Energy and EPA.

United States Municipal Waste Treated: Amount Designated for Recovery Operations: Recycling data was reported at 62,677.000 Tonne th in 2018. This records an increase from the previous number of 60,763.000 Tonne th for 2017. United States Municipal Waste Treated: Amount Designated for Recovery Operations: Recycling data is updated yearly, averaging 51,773.000 Tonne th from Dec 1980 (Median) to 2018, with 30 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 62,677.000 Tonne th in 2018 and a record low of 13,172.000 Tonne th in 1980. United States Municipal Waste Treated: Amount Designated for Recovery Operations: Recycling data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. The data is categorized under Global Database’s United States – Table US.OECD.ESG: Environmental: Municipal Waste Treatment: OECD Member: Annual.