The following charts and images provide a glimpse into the current state of trash and gas in the U.S.
This story was originally printed with the title, "View: Hidden Truths Revealed".
View: Hidden Truths of Humanity's Impact on the Planet [Slide Show]
2,000,000 plastic bottles are discarded in the U.S. every five minutes
![View: Hidden Truths of Humanity's Impact on the Planet [Slide Show]](https://static.scientificamerican.com/sciam/cache/file/CD79E23F-3574-4FE0-A9CBA324AADD8521_source.jpg?w=590&h=800&0124FAB6-9089-4A86-81BC58D8C8B7CF75)
This article was originally published with the title "2,000,000 plastic bottles are discarded in the U.S. every five minutes" in SA Special Editions 18, 4s, 16-19 (September 2008)
doi:10.1038/scientificamericanearth0908-16
