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How Much Solid Waste Does Massachusetts Produce?
In 2009 - the most recent year for which complete figures are available - Massachusetts residents, businesses and institutions produced 10.7 million tons of municipal solid waste (MSW), construction and demolition (C&D) debris, and other wastes, or about nine pounds per day for each of the 6.55 million people who live in the state.
Generally, generation of MSW increases in good economic times, and grows more slowly when the economy slows down.
As the table below illustrates, generation of municipal solid waste has dropped slightly in Massachusetts since 2000 overall, with the sharpest decline over the last three years.
Municipal Solid Waste Generation (Tons)
|
2000 |
2003 |
2006 |
2009 |
Change, 2000-09 |
| Total MSW |
7,990,000 |
8,460,000 |
8,710,000 |
7,610,000 |
-380,000 |
| 2-Year Change in Total MSW |
|
+6% |
+3% |
-13% |
-5% |
Growth in the generation of C&D wastes is heavily influenced by the health of the real estate market, which was very robust beginning in 2000, but started to slow down in 2006 and is currently experiencing a variety of economic difficulties. The table below illustrates the effects of these fluctuations on C&D waste generation in Massachusetts.
Massachusetts Construction & Demolition Debris Generation (Tons)
|
2000 |
2003 |
2006 |
2009 |
| Total C&D Generated |
4,480,000 |
4,720,000 |
4,550,000 |
2,870,000 |
| Change in Total C&D from Previous |
|
+5% |
-4% |
-37% |
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