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 CO2 Saved

total_co2_saved = paper_co2 + plastic_co2 + glass_co2 + aluminum_co2

Equivalent Trees Planted

trees_equivalent = (paper_co2 + plastic_co2 + glass_co2 + aluminum_co2) / 48

Total Recycled Weight

annual_weight = (paper_lbs_week + plastic_lbs_week + glass_lbs_week + aluminum_lbs_week) * 52

Variables

VariableDescriptionDefault
paper_lbs_weekPaper/Cardboard Recycled(lbs/week)5
plastic_lbs_weekPlastic Recycled(lbs/week)2
glass_lbs_weekGlass Recycled(lbs/week)3
aluminum_lbs_weekAluminum Recycled(lbs/week)0.5
paper_co2Derived value= paper_lbs_week * 52 * 3.0calculated
plastic_co2Derived value= plastic_lbs_week * 52 * 2.5calculated
glass_co2Derived value= glass_lbs_week * 52 * 0.6calculated
aluminum_co2Derived value= aluminum_lbs_week * 52 * 10.0calculated

How It Works

How Recycling Reduces Emissions

Recycling avoids emissions from manufacturing new materials from raw resources.

Approximate CO2 Savings Per Pound Recycled

  • Paper/Cardboard: ~3.0 lbs CO2/lb
  • Plastic: ~2.5 lbs CO2/lb
  • Glass: ~0.6 lbs CO2/lb
  • Aluminum: ~10.0 lbs CO2/lb

    • Aluminum recycling is the most impactful per pound because smelting new aluminum is extremely energy-intensive.

    Worked Example

    Weekly: 5 lbs paper, 2 lbs plastic, 3 lbs glass, 0.5 lbs aluminum.

    paper_lbs_week = 5plastic_lbs_week = 2glass_lbs_week = 3aluminum_lbs_week = 0.5
    1. 01Paper CO2 saved = 5 x 52 x 3.0 = 780 lbs
    2. 02Plastic CO2 saved = 2 x 52 x 2.5 = 260 lbs
    3. 03Glass CO2 saved = 3 x 52 x 0.6 = 93.6 lbs
    4. 04Aluminum CO2 saved = 0.5 x 52 x 10.0 = 260 lbs
    5. 05Total = 780 + 260 + 93.6 + 260 = 1,394 lbs CO2
    6. 06Equivalent trees = 1,394 / 48 = 29.0 trees

    Ready to run the numbers?

    Open Recycling Savings Calculator