Recycling Rate Calculator
Calculate your waste diversion rate and per-capita waste from recycled and total waste figures.
How it works
- 1Enter the total weight of waste generated and the weight diverted through recycling or composting.
- 2The calculator divides diverted waste by total waste to find the diversion rate, and divides total waste by population for per-capita output.
- 3Review the diversion rate, landfilled remainder, and waste-per-person figures to track progress toward sustainability targets.
Use cases
- Municipal waste managers benchmarking diversion rates against regional targets.
- Sustainability teams reporting recycling performance in corporate ESG disclosures.
- Schools and events measuring the share of waste kept out of landfill after a recycling campaign.
Frequently asked questions
What is the diversion rate formula?
Diversion rate = diverted waste ÷ total waste. For example, recycling 30 kg out of 120 kg gives 30 ÷ 120 = 0.25, or 25%. A higher rate means less material going to landfill.
How is per-capita waste calculated?
Per-capita waste = total waste ÷ population. If 120 kg of waste is generated by 20 people, each person accounts for 6 kg. It helps compare waste generation across communities of different sizes.
Why does my diversion rate matter?
Higher diversion rates cut landfill methane emissions, conserve raw materials, and reduce disposal costs. Many regions set targets of 50–75% diversion; tracking the rate shows where improvement efforts are working.
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