Municipal waste generated in United States
United States: Municipal waste generated was 265.22 million in 2018. ▲ Rising
Municipal waste generated in United States, 2000–2018
Source: United Nations Statistics Division, SDG Global Database.
Analysis
In 2018, municipal waste generated in United States stood at 265.22 million. That is the highest value across all 19 years on record.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 8.8% on the previous year and up 15.7% over ten years.
Over the whole period, municipal waste generated in United States peaked at 265.22 million in 2018 and was at its lowest, 218.45 million, in 2001.
That places United States 1st out of 80 countries with data for 2018, putting it in the top 10%.
The long-run direction has been consistently rising across the 19 years of available data.
Municipal waste generated in United States, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 220.85 million | — |
| 2001 | 218.45 million | -1.1% |
| 2002 | 222.56 million | +1.9% |
| 2003 | 223.55 million | +0.4% |
| 2004 | 230.53 million | +3.1% |
| 2005 | 230.18 million | -0.2% |
| 2006 | 233.24 million | +1.3% |
| 2007 | 232.69 million | -0.2% |
| 2008 | 229.20 million | -1.5% |
| 2009 | 222.19 million | -3.1% |
| 2010 | 227.75 million | +2.5% |
| 2011 | 228.58 million | +0.4% |
| 2012 | 228.87 million | +0.1% |
| 2013 | 231.40 million | +1.1% |
| 2014 | 234.42 million | +1.3% |
| 2015 | 237.78 million | +1.4% |
| 2016 | 243.22 million | +2.3% |
| 2017 | 243.72 million | +0.2% |
| 2018 | 265.22 million | +8.8% |
United States compared with similar countries
- United States's 265.22 million is above the median for high income countries, which is 4.12 million, 64.5× the median. (45 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 226.34 million | 218.45 million | 233.24 million | 10 |
| 2010s | 237.89 million | 227.75 million | 265.22 million | 9 |
Countries ranked near United States
More environment data for United States
- Historical exposure to drought — Land soil moisture anomaly -2.64 Percentage change (2025)
- Historical exposure to drought — Cropland soil moisture anomaly -2.16 Percentage change (2025)
- Wood-based panels — Production, annual growth rate 3.36 % change on previous year (2024)
- Total greenhouse gas emissions excluding LULUCF (Mt CO2e), annual 0.3672 % change on previous year (2024)
- Total greenhouse gas emissions excluding LULUCF (Mt CO2e), per unit 0 Mt CO2e per US$ of GDP (2024)
- Total greenhouse gas emissions excluding LULUCF (Mt CO2e), per capita 0 Mt CO2e per person (2024)
- Methane (CH4) emissions from Agriculture (Mt CO2e), annual growth rate -0.624 % change on previous year (2024)
- Methane (CH4) emissions from Agriculture (Mt CO2e), per unit of GDP 0 Mt CO2e per US$ of GDP (2024)
- Methane (CH4) emissions from Agriculture (Mt CO2e), per capita 0 Mt CO2e per person (2024)
- Methane (CH4) emissions from Building (Energy) (Mt CO2e), annual 0.1269 % change on previous year (2024)
Frequently asked questions
- What is municipal waste generated in United States?
- Municipal waste generated in United States was 265.22 million in 2018, according to United Nations Statistics Division, SDG Global Database.
- What is the highest municipal waste generated recorded in United States?
- The highest recorded value was 265.22 million in 2018.
- What is the lowest municipal waste generated recorded in United States?
- The lowest recorded value was 218.45 million in 2001.
- How does United States rank for municipal waste generated?
- United States ranks 1st out of 80 countries with data for 2018.
- Is municipal waste generated rising or falling in United States?
- Over the last ten years it is up 15.7%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
- Where does this United States data come from?
- The figures come from United Nations Statistics Division, SDG Global Database, published as part of Municipal waste generated (Tonnes). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 19 observations, free to reuse under UN SDG Global Database (open, attribution requested).