Research shows that about 80% of school food waste could be diverted from landfill, and 47% could be composted. In 2010, more than 34 million tons of food waste was generated, more than any other material except paper. Food waste accounted for almost 14 percent of the total municipal solid waste stream, less than three percent of which was recovered and recycled in 2010. The rest —33 million tons— was thrown away, making food waste the single largest component of MSW reaching landfills.