SEATTLE (Recycling Monster): The U.S. residential recycling stream is undergoing a significant shift, according to the Recycling Partnership’s 2026 State of Recycling report. However, collection and processing infrastructure has not evolved at the same speed, it added.

Since 2020, packaging innovation has brought more flexible plastics, non-bottle PET, cartons and other formats into U.S. households. Despite this, recycling systems continue to remain largely designed around established materials such as cardboard, glass, aluminum cans, PET bottles, polypropylene and cartons.

ALSO READ:

City of Alliance, KAB Launches Pilot Curbside Recycling Program

California Carpet Recycling Rate Reaches 37% in 2025

The report estimates that an average U.S. household generates about 705 pounds of recyclable material annually, down by 12% when compared with 2020. Overall generation fell despite the addition of approximately 8.5 million households. The fall is primarily attributed to lightweighting and declining volumes of mixed paper and glass.

Meanwhile, several newer formats recorded sharp increases. Non-bottle PET generation climbed 49%, while aluminum foil and tray generation rose 44%. Aluminum can generation increased nearly 19%. Corrugated cardboard also recorded notable growth, reflecting continued e-commerce activity.

Carton generation posted the strongest increase among various material categories during the six-year period.

The report calls for coordinated investment in collection, sorting, processing and end markets. Also, it highlights the need for consumer education and extended producer responsibility programs.