So I reading the "Incredible, Amazing ...... Leaf Mold"! thread last night and got lost in the Great links.
I found this interesting article on Garbage. I though I'd share it in case anyone else wanted to discuss it.
http://www.composterconnection.com/garbage-gripes.html
What I found most interesting was where garbage usage rates were increasing the most. Italy and Spain for instance. I would presume this partially from the influx of tourists from America and Japan and the services and industries associated with it. I've kinda seen this myself. Having been in Naples Italy circa 2007. They were in the midst of a garbage strike it was very interesting site for me.
US trash generation per capita seems to have more or less peaked and stayed constant since the 90s. I have had to make far to many trips to the dump myself in trying to clear the property I am on. I tended to save my money and g(r)o(w) in spurts. I'm pretty amazed how much gets throw out and recycled and how much of it is plastic