What is the primary means of solid waste disposal used in the United States?

The primary means of solid waste disposal in the United States is landfilling. This method involves burying the waste in designated landfill sites. Landfills are extensively regulated to ensure they meet environmental standards to minimize pollution and manage potential impacts on surrounding ecosystems.

Landfills act as the main repository for municipal solid waste, as they are capable of handling large volumes of garbage and can accommodate diverse waste materials. While other methods, such as incineration, waste-to-energy, and composting, contribute to the overall waste management strategy, their usage is comparatively limited.

For example, incineration is employed for reducing waste volume, but it is less common due to environmental concerns related to air pollution. Waste-to-energy systems convert waste into energy through combustion, but their implementation varies widely by region. Composting is an effective method for organic waste but does not account for the majority of solid waste management practices at a national level. Thus, landfills remain the dominant method of solid waste disposal in the U.S.