Your numbers
Quick answer
What does the Recycling diversion rate calculate?
What percentage of total waste is recycled or composted? This calculator uses recycled material, composted material, and general waste to estimate waste diverted from disposal immediately in your browser.
With the values currently entered, the result is 52% — diversion rate. It also shows total waste, and material diverted.
How to use the Recycling diversion rate
- Replace the example values with your own numbers.
- Review the result and supporting figures as they update automatically.
- Check the formula and assumptions before using the estimate for a decision.
Inputs used
- Recycled material — entered in kg
- Composted material — entered in kg
- General waste — entered in kg
Recycling diversion rate formula
(Recycled + composted) ÷ total waste × 100
Assumptions
- All values cover the same period.
- Contamination and downstream processing losses are excluded.
Practical guide
Recycling diversion rate example and edge cases
What percentage of total waste is recycled or composted? Let's use a concrete example, then look at the assumptions that can move the answer.
Example: A practical recycling diversion rate scenario
For this example, use recycled material of 18 kg, composted material of 8 kg, and general waste of 24 kg. These are starting values, so replace them with numbers that match your situation.
- Recycled material
- 18 kg
- Composted material
- 8 kg
- General waste
- 24 kg
Calculated result52%diversion rate
Start with diversion rate. Then check total waste, and material diverted to understand what sits behind the main result.
Example results use the default display profile. The calculator above follows your selected country and units.
How to read the result
- Read the main result first. The supporting figures for total waste, and material diverted explain how the estimate is built.
- The method is (Recycled + composted) ÷ total waste × 100. Keep the units consistent and use values from the same time period.
Edge cases worth checking
When recycled material is unusual
All values cover the same period. Double-check this input before relying on the result.
When general waste is uncertain
Contamination and downstream processing losses are excluded. Run a lower and higher value to see a useful range.
What changes the result most
Recycled material
Measure recycled material with the same unit shown beside the input. Convert first if your source uses another unit.
Composted material
Measure composted material with the same unit shown beside the input. Convert first if your source uses another unit.
General waste
Measure general waste with the same unit shown beside the input. Convert first if your source uses another unit.
Try a different scenario
Small changes show whether the answer is stable or sensitive.
Recycled material: 10% lower
16 kg50%diversion rate
Recycled material: 10% higher
20 kg53.8%diversion rate
Composted material: 10% higher
9 kg52.9%diversion rate
Common mistakes
Check recycled material
All values cover the same period. Make sure this matches the number you enter.
Keep general waste consistent
Contamination and downstream processing losses are excluded. Use the same units and time period throughout the calculation.
Do not rely on one recycling diversion rate scenario
Run a cautious case and an optimistic case. The range is often more useful than one exact-looking number.
Use this result well
What percentage of total waste is recycled or composted?
Impact factors vary by source, location, technology, and reporting method.