What Is Municipal Solid Waste (MSW)?
Every time you toss a takeout container or empty the office shredder, you’re contributing to municipal solid waste. Learn how this "everyday" trash is regulated and processed.
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Key Takeaways
- What is municipal solid waste (MSW)?: Municipal solid waste (MSW) is the formal industry term for common "garbage" generated by households, schools and businesses.
- Paper and food dominate the waste stream: These two materials make up nearly 45% of all MSW generated in the U.S.
- Modern landfills are high-tech sites: MSW is sent to Subtitle D sanitary landfills, which use engineered liners and leachate collection systems to protect groundwater and capture methane gas for energy.
Understanding Municipal Solid Waste: The ‘Everyday’ Waste Stream
MSW is the technical term for the waste type generated by households and businesses every day.
What Does MSW Mean in the Waste Industry?
MSW is everyday "garbage" or "trash." It consists of items used once and thrown out by households, schools and businesses.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) sets rules for everyday trash to keep our water and air clean. Even though these items seem harmless, handling thousands of tons of waste at once requires professional care to prevent pollution from leaking into the ground or drifting into the sky.
What’s Included in the MSW Mix? (And What Isn’t)
MSW is classified as EPA non-hazardous waste, which includes a broad mix of organic and inorganic materials that range from shipping boxes to lawn clippings. Learn the specific categories of materials that make up this diverse waste stream.
What Is Considered MSW?
The EPA defines the following categories as MSW:
Paper and Paperboard
Nondurable goods including office papers, newspapers, tissue paper and paper plates; and containers and packaging including corrugated boxes, milk cartons and paper bags.
Glass
Containers such as beer and soda bottles, wine and liquor bottles, jars for food and cosmetic containers.
Metals
Aluminum, found in cans and appliances; ferrous metals including iron and steel found in appliances, furniture and tires; and nonferrous metals including lead, copper and zinc found in durable products like appliances and consumer electronics.
Plastics
Containers and packaging including bags, sacks and wraps; polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles and jars; high-density polyethylene (HDPE) natural bottles; and plastic in durable goods like appliances and furniture.
Food
Collected from food and beverage manufacturing and processing, food retail, food service and residential buildings.
Yard Trimmings
Grass, leaves and tree and brush trimmings.
Rubber and Leather
Rubber tires from automobiles, trucks and motorcycles; clothing and footwear; and gaskets on appliances, furniture and hot water bottles.
Textiles
Clothing, furniture, carpets, footwear and other nondurable goods like sheets and towels.
A common myth is that "municipal" waste only refers to trash services provided by a city or local government. In reality, MSW refers to the type of waste discarded, whether it’s picked up by a private hauler or a city truck. It’s also different from mixed solid waste, which often refers to a combination of MSW and other debris streams that haven't been sorted.
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MSW Statistics: Composition and Diversion
On average, each person in the U.S. generates approximately 4.9 pounds of MSW every day. This high volume makes source reduction (reducing waste before it's created) the most effective way to manage disposal costs.
Breakdown of US Municipal Solid Waste by Material [Table]
Material Type | Percentage of Total MSW | Primary Examples |
|---|---|---|
Paper and paperboard | 23.1% | Cardboard boxes, office paper, newspapers |
Food | 21.6% | Scraps, spoiled produce, prepared food waste |
Plastics | 12.2% | Packaging, containers, single-use items |
Yard trimmings | 12.1% | Grass clippings, leaves, brush |
Metals | 8.8% | Aluminum cans, steel scrap, appliances |
Wood | 6.2% | Pallets, crates, discarded furniture |
Textiles | 5.8% | Clothing, footwear, linens |
Glass | 4.1% | Bottles, jars, glassware |
Rubber and leather | 3.1% | Tires, shoes, gaskets |
Food waste and paper products consistently represent the largest percentage of MSW. Paper products make up 23.1% of MSW, and food waste makes up 21.6% of this waste stream.
What Percentage of MSW Is Recycled?
While nearly 75% of the items in our daily trash are technically recyclable, the actual recovery rate is much lower. According to the most recent data from the EPA, the national MSW recycling and composting rate is 32.1%.
The breakdown of what actually gets recycled varies widely by material. For instance, while nearly 68% of paper and paperboard is successfully recycled, only about 9% of plastics and 25% of glass make it through the recovery process. This "plateau" in the national recycling rate is often attributed to contamination in recycling bins and a lack of access to recycling services.
What Can You Do to Reduce MSW?
Waste diversion is the best strategy for reducing household waste. By practicing source reduction, such as choosing products with less packaging or opting for reusable items, you decrease the overall volume of waste that ever needs to hit the bin.
The Journey: How MSW Is Collected and Processed
What happens to trash after it’s tossed? MSW doesn't disappear the moment it leaves the curb — it begins a complex waste disposal journey. Understanding this process explains why certain materials are restricted and how your disposal choices impact the environment.
How Do You Properly Dispose of MSW?
Proper disposal begins with curbside collection for most residents and small business owners. Ensuring your waste is properly bagged and sorted at this stage prevents "contaminated loads," which can drive up costs for the entire community.
For items that don’t fit in your trash bin, or require specific disposal methods, check out our bulk waste guides.
How Is MSW Processed and Treated After Collection?
After pickup, waste travels to one of two locations:
Transfer Station
A logistical "hub" where local trucks consolidate their loads into larger trailers for long-distance hauling.
Materials Recovery Facility (MRF)
A site where machines and manual labor sort plastics, paper and metals for reuse.
How MSW Is Disposed: Landfills and Recovery
The U.S. uses an integrated waste management strategy, including recycling, composting and landfilling, to handle MSW efficiently. The disposal path waste takes is determined by its ability to be recovered, reused or decomposed.
MSW Disposal Outcomes by Material [Table]
Material Type | Total Generated (Tons) | Recycled | Composted/Other Food Management* | Energy Recovery (Combustion) | Landfilled |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Paper and paperboard | 67.39 million | 45.97 million | — | 4.20 million | 17.22 million |
Food | 63.13 million | — | 20.29 million | 7.55 million | 35.28 million |
Plastics | 35.68 million | 3.09 million | — | 5.62 million | 26.97 million |
Yard trimmings | 35.40 million | — | 22.30 million | 2.61 million | 10.49 million |
Metals | 25.61 million | 8.35 million | — | 2.50 million | 14.76 million |
Wood | 18.09 million | 3.10 million | — | 2.82 million | 12.17 million |
Textiles | 17.03 million | 2.51 million | — | 3.22 million | 11.30 million |
Glass | 11.61 million | 2.98 million | — | 1.48 million | 7.15 million |
Rubber and leather | 9.17 million | 1.67 million | — | 2.57 million | 4.93 million |
What’s the Main Method of MSW Disposal?
MSW landfills, a type of sanitary landfills, are the most common disposal method, built strictly according to Subtitle D Landfill standards outlined by the EPA in the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA).
Subtitle D is the section of the RCRA that sets federal standards for MSW landfills, like where landfills can be located and how sites must be monitored and closed. Essentially, it's the federal rulebook that keeps landfills from polluting the environment.
For instance, these regulations require specialized liners and leachate collection systems at landfill sites. Leachate is contaminated liquid — often called "trash juice" — formed when rainwater filters through waste. To protect groundwater, landfills use sloped liners and perforated pipes to collect this runoff and pump it to a treatment facility. Unlike unregulated “dumps,” modern landfills aim to protect the environment.
What Is and Is Not Accepted at an MSW Landfill?
MSW landfills accept everyday household and commercial trash, but they strictly prohibit hazardous, liquid or overly dense materials. While your "standard" garbage is welcome, items that can damage the leachate collection system or cause chemical reactions are banned.
- Accepted: Product packaging, food scraps, furniture, clothing and office waste.
- Prohibited: Car batteries, motor oil, liquid paint and large quantities of debris like concrete.
Modern facilities, like waste-to-energy plants, use methane recovery to capture gases from decomposing organic waste. Methane is a powerful gas created as rotting trash breaks down underground. Instead of letting it escape into the air and harm the environment, facilities capture it and turn it into fuel or electricity. This keeps the air cleaner and creates a renewable source of energy.
MSW vs. Other Waste Streams: Why the Distinction Matters
Mixing different waste types can lead to rejected loads at disposal sites and expensive fees. Not all "trash" is created equal, and the handling requirements vary significantly by waste stream.
MSW vs. C&D Debris
Construction and demolition waste (C&D debris), including concrete, shingles and rebar, is significantly heavier and denser than MSW. Because of this, it’s handled in separate facilities. If you’re working on a jobsite, following construction recycling tips can help you sort these materials correctly to avoid contamination.
MSW vs. Industrial Waste
MSW doesn’t include manufacturing byproducts (sludge from wastewater treatment, coal combustion residuals (fly ash), foundry sand), chemical waste, processing scraps (large-scale metal tailings from industrial manufacturing plants) or hazardous materials.
Understanding these distinctions is crucial for jobsite safety and regulatory compliance. Learning how to reduce waste on a construction site not only keeps your project within budget but ensures that MSW and C&D streams remain separate for proper processing.
Managing Your Waste Stream Effectively
Understanding MSW allows you to navigate disposal like a pro, whether you’re a homeowner or contractor. Choosing the right disposal method helps protect the environment and ensure a smooth waste disposal process.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About MSW
Is MSW the same as hazardous waste?
No. MSW is classified as EPA non-hazardous waste. Hazardous items like chemicals, car batteries and certain industrial byproducts are excluded from the MSW stream and require specialized disposal methods.
Can I put C&D debris in my curbside MSW bin?
No. Heavy materials like concrete, shingles and rebar are excluded from MSW collection because their weight and density can damage equipment and require processing at different facilities.
What is post-consumer waste?
Post-consumer waste refers to materials that have reached the end of their life with the consumer. This includes anything you throw into your recycling or trash bin after you have finished using it.
How does MSW impact dumpster rental prices?
The weight of MSW affects dumpster rental prices because it influences how much you can load before reaching your included weight limit. Most dumpster rentals include a set tonnage, and exceeding it can lead to overage fees.
What happens to compostable organic waste in a landfill?
When organic waste like food scraps or yard trimmings decomposes in a landfill without oxygen, it creates methane, a potent greenhouse gas. This is why diversion through composting or anaerobic digestion, a process where tiny bacteria break down organic waste inside a sealed tank with no air to create a gas that can be used for energy, is a key part of a modern waste strategy.
What are the top three materials in MSW?
The top three materials in MSW are paper and paperboard, food waste and yard trimmings.
What are the barriers to increasing the recycling rate of MSW?
Key barriers to increasing the recycling rate of MSW include contamination (placing non-recyclables in recycling bins), lack of accessible recycling systems in certain regions and fluctuating market demand for recycled materials.
What’s the difference between MSW and source-separated municipal waste?
MSW is the general stream of everyday trash, while source-separated waste refers to materials (like recyclables or organics) that are sorted before collection (using different bins for each type of recyclable material) to make processing more efficient and reduce landfill volume.
Glossary Term Index
Landfill | Transfer Station | Materials Recovery Facility (MRF)
