On America Recycles Day (November 15), EPA recognizes the importance and impact of recycling, which has contributed to American prosperity and the protection of our environment. The recycling rate has increased from less than seven percent in 1960 to the current rate of 32 percent.

Plastic waste generation and treatment Humans currently produce more than 350 million metric tons of plastic waste per year. Without changes to current policies, global plastic waste generation is projected to triple by 2060, to a staggering one billion metric tons.

The EPA estimates that 75% of the American waste stream is recyclable, but we only recycle about 30% of it.

Plastic Recycling Facts Just 9% has been recycled out of the 8.3 billion metric tons estimate produced since 1950, and the remnant is sent to landfill or incineration. The plastic recycling business is expected to be worth $56 billion come 2026 — As it stands, the global plastic recycling market is about $34 billion.