The proportion of solid waste (i.e. garbage) that is organic (i.e. compostable) compared to the the entire amount of solid waste.
Used to calculate:biodegradable garbage, non-biodegradable garbage, biodegradable solid waste and non-biodegradable solid waste
Varies by: lifestyle
| Used | lifestyle | Reference | Location: Ecosystem (study period) |
Value | Units | Notes |
|---|
| * | Average American | US EPA 2012 Basic information about food waste (website) | US: All (2010) | 62.2 | % (0 - 100) | Sum of food scraps (13.9%), paper and paperboard (28.5%), wood (6.4%) and yard trimmings (13.4%) in municipal solid waste. Non-organic components include plastics (12.4%), metals (9%), rubber, leather and textiles (8.4%), glass (4.6%), and other (3.4%). Estimates based on waste stream before recycling. |
| * | Average Earthling | OECD 2008- Environmental Data: Compendium 2006-2008 | global: all (1980-2005) | 33 | % (0 - 100) | This value refers to the average proportion of organic material in the residential solid waste of 21 OECD countries. |
| * | Average New Yorker | RW Beck 2008 NYC Residential Waste Characterization Study | New York City: All (2004-2005) | 38.9 | % (0 - 100) | |
| * | Eco-conscious | RW Beck 2008 NYC Residential Waste Characterization Study | New York City: All (2004-2005) | 38.9 | % (0 - 100) | This value assumes the same proportion of organic waste as the average New Yorker. |
| * | Lenape Person | Assumed | New York City: Mannahatta () | 99 | % (0 - 100) | Discarded waste assumed to be nearly completely organic waste, the only exceptions being discard rock and pottery objects. |