James Watters ⋅ Norman, OK Business Consultant, retired ⋅ 17 years experience

Hope this helps.

Advancing Sustainable Materials Management: Facts and Figures - An annual report of the Environmental Protection Agency.
In 2013, Americans generated about 254 million tons of trash and recycled and composted about 87 million tons of this material, equivalent to a 34.3 percent recycling rate. On average, we recycled and composted 1.51 pounds of our individual waste generation of 4.40 pounds per person per day.

In 2013, America recovered about 67 percent (5.7 million tons) of newspaper/mechanical paper and about 60 percent of yard trimmings. Organic materials continue to be the largest component of MSW. Paper and paperboard account for 27 percent and yard trimmings and food account for another 28 percent. Plastics comprise about 13 percent; metals make up 9 percent; and rubber, leather, and textiles account for 9 percent. Wood follows at around 6 percent and glass at 5 percent. Other miscellaneous wastes make up approximately 3 percent of the MSW generated in 2013.

CNBC-
Americans throw away approximately $165 billion worth of food each year, and for the average American family, that can be up to $2,200 per household, according to a recent study by the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC).

That all adds up to 35 million tons of food each year, according to the Environmental Protection Agency in its most recent estimate. That's 50 percent more than in 1990 and three times more of what Americans discarded in 1960. That's a sad statistic, considering hunger in America. According to Feeding America, right now 1 in 7 Americans—or 46.5 million people—use food banks.

Beth Smits ⋅ Washington, DC Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies ⋅ 24 years experience

Dear Fabien, if you can be more specific about type of product, time period and the geographical breakdown, I'm glad to do a search in my library (as a PhD student I have good databases!). Regards, Beth

William Orr ⋅ Greenwood, IN Edward Jones Investments ⋅ 4 years experience

Take a look at ammunition in the military. Use it, or lose it mentalities are still prevalent from fiscal year to fiscal year.