The pie charts illustrate the data in terms of various types of waste management in a particular country in two different years over a 51-year period.
Overall, it is clear that food and plastic waste increased substantially, with food becoming the largest category in 2011. By contrast, while paper and textiles had the greatest proportions in 1960, both experienced a significant decline in 2011.
In 1960, paper and textiles led with the largest percentages, with the former accounting for 25% and the latter 17%. The figures for paper and textiles fell remarkably in 2011, dipping to 15% and 11%, respectively. This was closely followed by other and food waste in 1960, at 12% each. By 2011, however, other refuse decreased to a low of 4%, whereas the percentage of food waste surged to 21%, becoming by far the highest category in that year.
The percentages for both green waste and glass remained stable in each year, with the respective figures of 9% and 5%. Metal waste stood at just 8% in 1960, but increased minimally by only 1% in 2011. Despite accounting for the lowest proportion in 1960, the figure for wood went up in 2011, rising from 4% to 8%. Finally, the percentage of plastic which was eliminated made up 8% in 1960, but climbed to 18% in 2011, ranking as the second largest category.