According to the EPA, in 2006 the US (residents, businesses, and institutions) generated more than 251 million tons of trash (municipal solid waste or MSW). This equates to about 4.6 pounds of waste per person per day. Of that 4.6 pounds, 1.5 pounds was recycled and around .1 pound was composted. The remaining 3 lbs of trash was discarded or incinerated. The largest portion of waste generated, 31.7 percent, was made up of containers and packaging. See the full report at http://www.epa.gov/epawaste/nonhaz/municipal/pubs/msw06.pdf