Recycling includes the recycling and composting of municipal solid waste. Shortcomings in our recycling system result in a large amount of recyclable materials ending up in landfills. In 2018, about 50% of municipal solid waste was landfilled, and 11.8% was combusted, which contributes to air pollution. The recycling rate has climbed from less than 7% in 1960 to 32% today. Although this rate has greatly increased, it is lower than the EPA’s 2030 goal of reaching 50%. A significant portion of potentially recyclable materials are lost at the residential level. One report suggests a residential recycling rate closer to 21%. The overall rate varies by material. For example, the recycling rate for aluminum cans is about 63.6%, while the recycling rate for consumer plastics is only about 5% to 6%. This low rate is due to the difficulty of recycling different plastic types, the declining market for recycled plastic, and the overall increase in plastic waste generation. The vast majority of plastic now ends up in landfills or the environment.

Pending Legislation: H.R. 4466 - Cultivating Investment in Recycling and Circular Local Economies Act or the "CIRCLE” Act of 2025
Sponsor: Rep. Thomas Suozzi (NY)
Status: House Committee on Ways and Means
Chair: Rep. Jason Smith (MO)