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Massachusetts 2006 Solid Waste Data Update
The Massachusetts Beyond 2000 Solid Waste Master Plan and 2006 Revision set goals of 70 percent waste reduction and 56 percent recycling by 2010. MassDEP annually publishes solid waste management system data to track progress in meeting these goals and to evaluate solid waste management capacity needs. This fact sheet summarizes the 2006 Solid Waste Data Update.
Waste Generation, Diversion & Disposal
Total solid waste generation was 13.9 million tons in 2006, a decrease of 600,000 tons from 2005. Diversion and disposal also decreased in 2006 compared to 2005. Table 1 shows generation, diversion (through recycling, composting, and other types of diversion), and disposal.
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Table 1: Solid Waste Management 2005-2006 |
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|
2005 |
2006 |
Tons Change |
% Change |
|
Generation |
14,490,000 |
13,890,000 |
-600,000 |
-4.1% |
|
Diversion |
7,750,000 |
7,340,000 |
-410,000 |
-5.3% |
|
Disposal* |
6,750,000 |
6,550,000 |
-200,000 |
-3.0% |
* Includes net exports to other states for disposal
Waste Reduction Progress
The total waste reduction rate rose to 60 percent in 2006, compared to 58 percent in 2005. Waste reduction includes recycling and composting of municipal solid waste (MSW); recycling and other diversion of non-MSW (mainly construction and demolition (C&D) debris); and an estimate of source reduction (preventing waste from being generated) based on comparing changes in waste generation to changes in economic activity.
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Table 2: Waste Reduction Rates 2005-2006
(Including Estimated Source Reduction) |
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2005 |
2006 |
2010 Milestone |
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Total Waste Reduction |
58% |
60% |
70% |
|
MSW Waste Reduction |
42% |
45% |
60% |
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Non-MSW Waste Reduction |
87% |
86% |
88% |
Recycling Rates
The total recycling rate held steady from 2005 to 2006, with increased MSW recycling but decreased C&D recycling.
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Table 3: Recycling Rates 2005-2006 |
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2005 |
2006 |
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Total Recycling |
47% |
47% |
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MSW Recycling |
36% |
37% |
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C&D Recycling |
70% |
66% |
Construction & Demolition (C&D) Debris Management
Generation of C&D debris decreased by 450,000 tons in 2006, or 9 percent less than in 2005. C&D disposal increased slightly in 2006, while recycling and other diversion of C&D decreased by 550,000 tons.
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Table 4: C&D Management 2005-2006 |
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2005 |
2006 |
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Generated |
5,100,000 |
4,650,000 |
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Disposed |
700,000 |
720,000 |
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In-State |
240,000 |
130,000 |
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Net Export Out-of-State |
460,000 |
590,000 |
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Diverted |
4,320,000 |
3,930,000 |
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C&D Recycled |
3,530,000 |
3,060,000 |
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C&D Other Diversion |
930,000 |
870,000 |
Solid Waste Disposal
Solid waste disposal (MSW and non-MSW) totaled 6.55 million tons in 2006, a reduction of 200,000 tons from 2005 disposal. Net export for disposal also decreased by about 200,000 tons in 2006.
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Table 5: Solid Waste Disposal 2005-2006 |
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2005 |
2006 |
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Total Disposal |
6,750,000 |
6,550,000 |
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Landfilled in State |
2,070,000 |
2,080,000 |
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Combusted in State |
3,090,000 |
3,100,000 |
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Net Exported* |
1,580,000 |
1,370,000 |
*Top export states include Maine, South Carolina, Ohio, New Hampshire, and New York.
Waste Management Capacity Projections
The 17 operating landfills in Massachusetts reported permitted disposal capacity of 2.5 million tons for 2006. By 2014, landfill capacity is projected to drop to 1.1 million tons, assuming that currently planned expansions are permitted and constructed. How much solid waste Massachusetts will need to ship out-of-state for disposal in the future will depend on how much Massachusetts increases its recycling rate. If the recycling rate remains level at 47 percent, net export of waste is projected to increase to 4.1 million tons by 2014 (assuming no new in-state disposal capacity). If the recycling rate increases to the goal of 56 percent, net export is projected to increase to 2.5 million tons.
For More Information
See the complete 2006 Solid Waste Data Update as well as the Beyond 2000 Solid Waste Master Plan and 2006 Revision.
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