The table illustrates the amount of waste produced in six nations from 1980 to 2000. Overall, most countries showed upward trends in waste production, with the US maintaining its leading position over the given period.
In 1980, the US discharged 131 million tonnes of waste, and the figure rose gradually to 192 million tonnes by 2000, remaining the country with the highest waste production. Likewise, Japan, Poland, Portugal, and Ireland experienced increases. The amount of waste in Japan stood at 28 million, while that for Poland, Portugal, and Ireland was much lower, at 4, 2, and 0.6 million tonnes respectively. By 2000, waste production in Japan reached 53 million, nearly doubling its figure in 1980, whereas that for Poland climbed to 6.6 million tonnes. Ireland and Portugal recorded the same level of waste production, at 5 million tonnes.
Korea was the only country to witness a decrease from 31 million in 1990 to 19 million tonnes in 2000, while the figure for the year 1980 was not available.
