Waste Diversion Calculator Formula

Understand the math behind the waste diversion calculator. Each variable explained with a worked example.

Use the Waste Diversion Calculator

Formulas Used

Diversion Rate

diversion_rate = diverted / total_waste_lbs * 100

Annual Waste Diverted

annual_diverted = diverted * 52

Annual to Landfill

annual_landfill = landfill * 52

CO2 Saved by Diversion

co2_saved = diverted * 52 * 0.5 / 2204.6

Variables

VariableDescriptionDefault
total_waste_lbsTotal Weekly Waste(lbs)50
recycled_lbsRecycled Waste(lbs)15
composted_lbsComposted Waste(lbs)10
reused_lbsReused/Donated(lbs)3
divertedDerived value= recycled_lbs + composted_lbs + reused_lbscalculated
landfillDerived value= total_waste_lbs - divertedcalculated

How It Works

How to Calculate Waste Diversion Rate

The waste diversion rate measures what percentage of waste is kept out of landfills.

Formula

Diversion Rate = (Recycled + Composted + Reused) / Total Waste * 100

Benchmarks

  • Average US household: ~35% diversion
  • Leading cities (SF, Seattle): 60-80%
  • Zero-waste goal: 90%+
  • EU average: ~47%

    • Worked Example

    A household producing 50 lbs/week total, recycling 15 lbs, composting 10 lbs, reusing 3 lbs.

    total_waste_lbs = 50recycled_lbs = 15composted_lbs = 10reused_lbs = 3
    1. 01Diverted: 15 + 10 + 3 = 28 lbs
    2. 02Landfill: 50 - 28 = 22 lbs
    3. 03Diversion rate: 28 / 50 * 100 = 56%
    4. 04Annual diverted: 28 * 52 = 1,456 lbs

    Ready to run the numbers?

    Open Waste Diversion Calculator