China is getting trashier

The United States still produces the most trash per capita of any nation on the planet, but emerging economies such as China and Brazil are quickly catching up, according to a recent report from World Bank urban specialist Dan Hoornweg. The report found China, in particular, is following our wasteful lead as that nation’s standard of living rises. The accompanying graph illustrates how the people of poor nations—including Ethiopia—can’t afford to buy and toss stuff at the rate of Americans.