According to the EPA, only what percent of the waste stream can be recovered economically?

• A. 40 percent
• B. 56 percent
• C. 60 percent
• D. 70 percent

Answer: (B)

The main idea here is what portion of the waste stream can be recovered in a way that makes economic sense today—where the costs of collection, sorting, and processing are offset by the value of the recovered materials. The EPA’s estimate is about 56 percent, meaning just over half of what we throw away can realistically be recovered and sold as recyclables under current technology, markets, and waste-management practices. This takes into account factors like contamination, logistics, processing costs, and market demand, not just whether something is technically recyclable. So 56% reflects real-world economic viability, rather than a purely technical potential. The other figures are simply different approximations and not the EPA’s current economic recoverability value.