Ag Facts

U.S. food expenditures are projected to rise 26 percent, or $208 billion, between 2000 and 2020. Income growth and population growth will drive increases in per capita food expenditures and food demand, respectively. The demand for value-added products will increase the share of every food dollar that goes to processors and retailers, and the demand for quality-differentiated products may result in new markets for high quality or specialty crops. The aging of the U.S. population may have a slight negative effect on per capita consumption and away-from-home food expenditures. Ethnic shifts and increased education levels among the U.S. population are likely to increase per capita consumption of certain food categories, such as fruit and fish.

Source: FoodReview: Consumer-Driven Agriculture, Vol. 25, No. 1, By Rosanna Mentzer Morrison, Economics Editor

According to EPA, about 231.9 million tons of municipal solid waste were generated in the U.S. in 2000. Waste generation per capita fell 2.8 percent in 2000, to 4.5 pounds per person per day, primarily due to a decline in the use of paper and paperboard. Recycling collections totaled 53.4 million tons, and composting activities diverted an additional 16.5 million tons from landfills. Recycling and composting rates in 2000 varied widely. The percentage of recycling items were: Steel cans: 58.6, yard trimmings: 56.9, aluminum cans: 45.0, paper and paperboard: 36.6, glass bottles: 25.9, durable goods: 16.6, plastic bottles: 8.9, Other non-durables: 6.1, Food scraps: 2.6

Source: From Resource Recycling Magazine, http://www.resource-recycling.com/