Causes

What's Going On | Solid Waste Pollution | Water Pollution | Air Pollution | Energy Pollution

Effects

Global Warming | Health Problems

The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation reports that every year Americans generate millions of tons of trash in the form of containers/wrappings, durable goods, bottles, boxes, cans, grass clippings, furniture, clothing, phonebooks, etc. Containers/wrappings which include glass, aluminum, plastics, and metals used in packaging and shipping, account for nearly 57 million tons of waste alone. Durable goods include such items as tires, appliances, and furniture, and nondurable goods describes such things as paper, clothing, and some disposable products.

The waste from these goods has nearly tripled in less than three decades, and now accumulates in the United States at a rate of 75 million tons every year.

The EPA reports that the national averages about 1600 pounds of solid waste disposed per person each year. Unfortunately, Shelby County citizens are well above average, disposing of 5540 pounds of Solid Waste per person each year. This is more than three times the national average, and is cause for the Earth Day Network (EDN) to rank Memphis down at 58th on the Toxics and Wastes scale.

Municipal Solid Waste in The United States

2005 Facts and Figures

2005 Shelby County Solid Waste Report