The U. S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) addresses the critical issue of plastic materials management through comprehensive data and strategies.

The agency focuses on the generation, recycling, combustion with energy recovery, and landfilling of plastic waste, revealing its significant impact on municipal solid waste (MSW). In 2018, 35. 7 million tons of plastics were produced, making up 12.

2 percent of MSW. The primary composition includes a variety of containers, packaging, and both durable and nondurable goods made from resins such as polyethylene and polystyrene. While recycling efforts have increased, with a notable recycling rate of 29.

1 percent for PET bottles, challenges remain as 27 million tons of plastic were landfilled that same year. The EPA's mission encompasses developing a National Strategy to Prevent Plastic Pollution, aiming to eliminate plastic waste in the environment and promote sustainable practices. Through detailed statistics and analysis, the EPA emphasizes the need for effective waste management solutions to combat plastic pollution in the United States