Table 2. Defined terms used in this study and estimated values for each treatment category for U.S. plastic waste generated in 2016.
Mt, million metric tons.
|
Terms used in this study |
Definition |
Treatment of U.S. plastic waste in 2016 (Mt) |
| Inadequately managed waste |
Solid waste that is not collected and/or properly contained because of lack of waste management infrastructure |
0 |
| Litter | Solid waste that is intentionally or unintentionally disposed into the environment despite the availability of waste management infrastructure |
0.84 |
| Illegal dumping | Disposal of waste in an unpermitted area (37) despite the availability of waste management infrastructure |
0.14–0.41 |
| Exported, inadequately managed plastic waste |
Plastic waste collected for recycling in the United States that was exported to countries where it was inadequately managed |
0.15–0.99 |
| Mismanaged waste | Sum of above categories |
1.13–2.24 |