The line graph illustrates the changes in US waste recycling practices between 1960 and 2011, measuring both the total volume of waste recovered in million tons and the percentage of waste recycled.
Overall, both metrics followed a consistent upward trajectory over the 51-year period. While growth was relatively gradual during the first two decades, there was a marked acceleration in both the volume and the proportion of recycled waste from the mid-1980s onwards.
In 1960, only 5.6 million tons of waste were recovered, representing a recycling rate of 6.4%. These figures remained relatively stable for several years, with the recovery volume reaching 16.7 million tons and the rate hitting 10.1% by 1985. Following this, the data shows a sharp increase; by 1990, recovery had doubled to 33.2 million tons, with the rate climbing to 16.0%.
This rapid growth continued into the 21st century. By 2000, the total waste recovery reached 69.5 million tons, corresponding to a 28.5% recycling rate. By the end of the period in 2011, the US achieved a peak of 86.9 million tons of recovered waste, which accounted for 34.7% of the total waste generated.