Recycling Savings Calculator Formula

Understand the math behind the recycling savings calculator. Each variable explained with a worked example.

Use the Recycling Savings Calculator

Formulas Used

Annual Energy Saved

total_kwh = al_energy + paper_energy + glass_energy + plastic_energy

Annual CO2 Saved

co2_saved = (al_energy + paper_energy + glass_energy + plastic_energy) * 0.92 / 2204.6

Aluminum Energy Saved

al_savings = al_energy

Annual Material Recycled

total_recycled = (aluminum_lbs + paper_lbs + glass_lbs + plastic_lbs) * 52

Variables

VariableDescriptionDefault
aluminum_lbsWeekly Aluminum(lbs)1
paper_lbsWeekly Paper/Cardboard(lbs)5
glass_lbsWeekly Glass(lbs)3
plastic_lbsWeekly Plastic(lbs)2
al_energyDerived value= aluminum_lbs * 52 * 7calculated
paper_energyDerived value= paper_lbs * 52 * 2.5calculated
glass_energyDerived value= glass_lbs * 52 * 0.5calculated
plastic_energyDerived value= plastic_lbs * 52 * 3calculated

How It Works

How to Calculate Recycling Savings

Recycling saves energy compared to manufacturing from raw materials.

Energy Savings (kWh per lb recycled)

  • Aluminum: 7.0 kWh/lb (95% energy savings vs virgin)
  • Paper: 2.5 kWh/lb (60% savings)
  • Glass: 0.5 kWh/lb (30% savings)
  • Plastic: 3.0 kWh/lb (70% savings)

    • Formula

    Energy Saved = Weight * kWh per lb * 52 weeks

    Worked Example

    A household recycling 1 lb aluminum, 5 lbs paper, 3 lbs glass, 2 lbs plastic per week.

    aluminum_lbs = 1paper_lbs = 5glass_lbs = 3plastic_lbs = 2
    1. 01Aluminum: 1 * 52 * 7.0 = 364 kWh
    2. 02Paper: 5 * 52 * 2.5 = 650 kWh
    3. 03Glass: 3 * 52 * 0.5 = 78 kWh
    4. 04Plastic: 2 * 52 * 3.0 = 312 kWh
    5. 05Total: 364 + 650 + 78 + 312 = 1,404 kWh saved

    Ready to run the numbers?

    Open Recycling Savings Calculator