9% of the waste stream Recycling reduces the amount of waste disposed in sanitary landfills. Figure 1. Municipal Solid Waste Generation Data from U S Environmental Protection Agency, 2006 Rubber, Leather, Textile 7% Metals 8% Other 3% Glass 5% 440 \ Wood 6% Plastic Il lg r %2lA Food Scraps 12% Paper 34% Yard Trimmings