how much percent do plastics make up landfills?

Question

websites included would be most helpful.

Answer 1

Seems like there is some debate on this topic... see if this site helps.

http://www.plasticsresource.com/s_plasticsresource/doc.asp?TRACKID=&DID=487&CID=175

Answer 2

In actuality, while the disposal of plastic is a significant contributor to the garbage in landfills the actual amount is surprisingly small. Only between 20 and 24 percent of all waste surveyed was made up of plastics. This volume includes such items as utensils, toys, packaging, film and foam just to name a few. When ultimately compacted with the rest of the garbage this volume fell to only 16 percent. As more and more packaging and equipment is made from some form of plastic one would assume that the volume of this material would be on the rise. However, the truth is that the proportion of plastics to other materials has remained relatively unchanged for the past 20 years. The reason for the latter is thought to be the result of the use of "light weighting" technology within the plastics and packaging industry.

Answer 3

Like global warming, environmental issues are debatable. It looks like plastics fill about 16-25% of landfills. (It can only help if you carry your groceries in a cloth bag rather than many plastic bags.)

http://www.mines.edu/stu_life/organ/earth/plasticfl.html
"Paper is the most commonly encountered trash found in landfills - 40 percent of a landfill's contents. The volume of all plastics - foam, film and rigid; toys utensils and packages - amounted to between 20 and 24 percent of all garbage, as sorted; when compacted along with everything else, as it is in landfills, the volume of plastics fell to only about 16 percent."

http://www.eia.doe.gov/kids/energyfacts/saving/recycling/solidwaste/plastics.html
"By weight, plastics make up about 11 percent of America’s municipal solid waste. In comparison, paper makes up about 36 percent.

When plastics are buried in a landfill, they occupy about 25 percent of the space. However, putting plastics into landfills is not always the best disposal method."

Answer 4

It doesn't matter because plastic in landfills does not effect the environment.

Answer 5

I do not know the percentage but it should be down if people are recycling it more as they should be. I still believe that burning trash should be done whether at home or in the garbage pit itself.