Aluminum cans are the most-recycled major container type in the United States, with a 45% U.S. recycling rate. This rate is down nine percentage points from the 54.5% aluminum can recycling rate in 2000, and it is down twenty percentage points from the peak of 65% in 1992.

PET plastic bottles had a 23.5% recycling rate in 2006, compared to 24.8% in 2000. This rate is down from a peak of 37.3% in 1995.

Glass was recycled at an average rate of 27.8% in 2006.