Final answer:
A probable cause for the increased per capita waste generation from 2000 to 2012 is the escalation of consumerism and the usage of packaging and disposable products, as well as the continued growth of the human population.
Step-by-step explanation:
One probable cause for the change in per capita waste generation from 2000 to 2012, besides increased composting, could be the growth in worldwide consumerism and the resulting increase in packaging and disposable products. The development of a consumer culture, especially in developed countries, and the proliferation of disposable items have contributed to a significant increase in material flows and waste generation. Furthermore, the unprecedented size of the human population and its continuous growth add to the overall volume of waste produced.
Moreover, economic expansion, indicated by the doubling of the U.S. economy from 1970 to 2012, has corresponded with heightened consumption and production, which in turn generates more waste. Although there have been improvements in reducing certain pollutants through anti-pollution policies, solid waste management remains a challenge. The increasing amount of waste produced necessitates more effective and environmentally protective waste management strategies.