Combined Waste Stream Projections

Waste Disposal and Recycling Projections through 2015
Source: RI Comprehensive Solid Waste Management Plan

When the results of the municipal and commercial waste projections are combined, the levels of generation, recycling and disposal for the combined waste stream can be determined. In 1990, an estimated 160,000 tons of municipal and commercial waste were recycled, leaving an estimated 790,000 tons to be disposed of, either by landfilling within the State of Rhode Island at the Central Landfill or at one of the six municipal landfills operating at that time; or, by disposal at incinerators or landfills out-of-state. By 1994, the generation of solid waste in Rhode Island had increased by 12.3 percent from the 1990 estimated level of 950,185 tons to an estimated 1,067,366 tons, but recycling had increased by 66 percent to an estimated 266,000 tons. Stated differently, the percentage of the waste stream diverted from disposal to recycling increased from 16.8 percent to 24.9 percent between 1990 and 1994. Central Landfill received approximately 97 percent of the state's combined waste stream in 1999, 1,031,538 tons, 88,436 tons (or nine percent) of that were recycled at Central Landfill. These statistics are interesting because they are below the estimates projected in the graph, even though waste generation is increasing in the state. This is due to issues associated with data collection and estimates of generation outlined below.

Combined Waste Stream Landfilled Tons at Central Landfill
Source: RI Resource Recovery Corporation
Although the graphs below provide a comprehensive review of the Central Landfill's activities and programs. The data set: 1.) does not capture all of the waste generated in the state, especially for years prior to 1997; 2.) estimations for commercial are less exact; 3.) includes only recycled delivered to Central Landfill by municipalities which utilize it for both refuse and recycling disposal.
Recycled Tons at Central Landfill
Source: RI Resource Recovery Corporation

Recycling is also an area of solid waste management in which accurate data concerning volume is lacking. Other materials such as white goods and yard debris may be recycled by some municipalities but not included here. Therefore, estimates shown as recycled tons here should be viewed as conservative. (Source: RIRRC)

For more information:

RIRRC's 1999 Annual Report

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