Think about it
Every day in the United States, we generate an astonishing amount of waste, and that reality demands action. What happens to all this “stuff” once it’s thrown away doesn’t just affect the waste industry; it shapes the health of our communities, the stability of our climate, and the sustainability of our future. This webpage challenges you to look beyond the trash can and think critically about where our waste goes, what it costs us, and how innovative solutions like waste-to-energy can turn a growing problem into a valuable resource.
Eye-opening trash facts
The average American generates 4.9 pounds of trash daily (EPA 2019).
The United States generated 292.4 million tons of municipal solid waste (MSW) (EPA 2019).
Of the MSW generated, almost 94 million tons of MSW were recycled and composted. (EPA 2019).
The average recycling rate for America is 32% (EPA 2019).
Other methods managed an additional 17.7 million tons of food. The methods include the following management pathways: animal feed, bio-based materials/biochemical processing, co-digestion/anaerobic digestion, donation, land application, and sewer/wastewater treatment. (EPA 2019).
Nearly 35 million tons of MSW (11.8 percent) were combusted with energy recovery (EPA 2019).
More than 146 million tons of MSW (50 percent) were landfilled. (EPA 2019).
Plastic can take 20 to 500 years to decompose, and even then, it never entirely disappears; it just gets smaller and smaller. In Images: Plastic is Forever | United Nations
How Does a WTE Community Compare?
In Lancaster County
Lancaster County generated over 688,450 tons of waste in 2024 (LCSWMA 2025).
Of the MSW generated, 344,978 tons of MSW were recycled.
Lancaster County’s recycling rate was 50.1% in 2024 (LCSWMA 2025).
In Lancaster County, 280,826 tons of MSW were combusted with energy recovery (LCSWMA 2025).
Only 62,646 tons of MSW were landfilled (LCSWMA 2025).
Waste Management hierarchy
The EPA waste management hierarchy is a systematic approach that prioritizes waste management strategies to minimize environmental impact. It emphasizes five key stages: source reduction, reuse, recycling, energy recovery, and treatment and disposal. These are listed from most preferred to least preferred.
Source Reduction & Reuse
Energy Recovery
Treatment & Disposal
Most Preferred
Least Preferred
LCSWMA’s Integrated System exemplifies how communities can align waste practices with the EPA’s Waste Management Hierarchy. By educating and encouraging the community to reduce, reuse, recycle, and then using waste-to-energy to recover value from what remains, LCSWMA minimizes landfill use and maximizes environmental benefits. In this system, energy recovery through WTE plays a vital role — safely converting non-recyclable waste into renewable energy while supporting cleaner air and sustainable community growth.
Learn more about
LCSWMA's Integrated System
WTE Around The Globe
Every year, the world generates massive amounts of waste. Waste-to-energy is a solution that helps us reduce landfill burden, recover value, and shift toward a more sustainable future.
Global wte facts
There are currently 522 WTE plants in Europe compared to 75 in the US.
The global waste-to-energy market is projected to grow significantly: e.g., from $41.4 billion in 2022 to $81.5 billion by 2032 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE 2023).
Each ton of waste diverted from landfills or using waste-to-energy processes can significantly reduce methane emissions (a potent greenhouse gas) and reclaim energy that would otherwise be lost.
“Sweden has been ahead of the game with its waste. Only 1% ends up in landfills, and WtE plants have been in operation there since the 1940s.”
-SPECTRA
North M. (2025) From trash to treasure: Waste to energy explained. Spectra