The pie charts illustrate the proportions of various waste types disposed of in one country in the years 1960 and 2011.
Overall, while most categories declined, only plastic and food waste rose over the period. Moreover, in 1960, paper constituted the largest share of waste, whereas by 2011 food and plastic had become the most prevalent materials.
In 1960, paper accounted for one quarter of all waste (25%), followed by textiles at 17%. Food waste and the “other” category each contributed 12%, with green waste at 9%. Smaller proportions comprised plastic and metal (both 8%), glass at 5%, and wood at just 4%.
By 2011, the landscape had shifted markedly: food waste surged to 21% and plastic increased to 18%, emerging as the leading categories. In contrast, paper fell back to 15% and textiles to 11%. Green waste and metal each held steady at 9%; wood, enjoying a modest uptick, edged up to 8%, and glass remained constant at 5%. Meanwhile, the “other” segment dwindled to just 4%, underscoring a clear shift away from conventional paper and textile disposal toward food and plastic.