How much garbage do we throw away every year?

Each year, Americans create nearly 210 million tons of solid waste. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, the average American produces about 4.4 pounds (2 kilograms) of garbage per day, or a total of 29 pounds (13 kilograms) per week and 1,600 pounds (726 kilograms) per year. With the garbage produced in America alone, you could form a line of filled-up garbage trucks and reach the moon!

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People make lots and lots of garbage. Americans make more garbage per person than anyone else. It all has to be put somewhere, and most of it ends up in huge landfills.
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