Trash Trail

Montgomery County Shady Grove Transfer Station Recycling Programs Dickerson Incinerator Landfill (ash) Virginia
Waste composition percentages by category and study year (raw values). Monthly values used in the chart equal the annual percentage. Total Organics has been removed.
Category 2012–13 2016–17 2022–23
Food Waste22.8 %20.0 %16.6 %
Non‑Recyclable Paper8.5 %8.5 %6.9 %
Total Paper22.4 %22.4 %21.6 %
Total Plastic16.1 %16.1 %17.2 %
Yard Waste2.7 %2.7 %4.1 %
Wood7.0 %7.0 %7.5 %
Metals (ferrous + non‑ferrous)4.1 %4.1 %2.7 %