The line graph illustrates the total amount of waste recovered (in million tons) and the percentage of waste recycled in the United States over a 51-year period from 1960 to 2011.
Overall, both total waste recovery and the recycling percentage experienced a significant upward trend throughout the entire period. The two metrics grew relatively slowly until 1985, after which they accelerated rapidly before showing a slight deceleration in growth after 2000.
In 1960, total waste recovery stood at a modest 5.6 million tons. This figure grew minimally over the next two decades, reaching 9.3 million tons in 1975, and then 14.5 million tons in 1980. However, between 1985 and 2000, waste recovery underwent a massive surge, climbing from 16.7 million tons to 69.5 million tons. The growth continued steadily into the 21st century, peaking at 86.9 million tons in 2011.
Similarly, the recycling rate closely mirrored the total recovery trend. In 1960, only 6.4% of waste was recycled, and this rate hovered between 6% and 7.3% until 1975. A sharp upward trajectory began after 1985 (10.1%), with the percentage more than doubling to 25.7% by 1995. By the end of the period in 2011, the percentage of recycled waste reached its highest point at 34.7%.