Waste Diversion Rate Calculator
Diversion rate is the share of waste kept out of landfill. This calculator computes it from your tonnages, prices the current disposal mix, and shows the saving from a stretch target such as the 90% used by zero waste to landfill programs.
Your numbers
Scrap metal, cardboard, plastics sent for recycling.
Counted as diversion in many programs; check your protocol.
Net of rebates. Metal scrap rebates can make this negative.
Your results
Counting rules for diversion, especially waste to energy, differ between protocols and certifications. Follow the definition in your program.
Annual saving vs diversion target
Sweeps Diversion target from 10 to 100, holding your other inputs fixed.
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How to use the calculator
Enter yearly tonnes for each stream from hauler invoices or scale tickets. Landfill cost should include haul and tipping fees. The net diversion cost is the average cost or income per tonne of recycled and reused streams; scrap metal rebates can push it below zero. Pick a diversion target and read the extra tonnes to move and the resulting annual saving. Use the chart to see how each additional point of diversion adds saving.
- Use weighed data, not estimates from bin counts
- Include hazardous waste only if your protocol does
- Keep one row per hauler invoice for audit
The method
Diversion rate equals diverted tonnes divided by total tonnes, times 100. Total is landfill plus all diverted streams. Tonnes needed for a target equal target times total minus tonnes already diverted, floored at zero. The saving is those tonnes times the cost difference between landfill and the average diversion route. The model holds the total constant, which is correct for diversion, whereas source reduction lowers the total itself and gives a different, larger saving.
Reading the result
At the defaults the plant diverts about 73% and would need to move roughly 140 more tonnes to reach 90%. Whether that is worth it depends on the gap between landfill and diversion cost. If the gap is small or negative, the target pays for itself; if large, you need to prioritize the streams with the best rebate such as clean cardboard and metal. Also track the ratio of waste to production output, a better measure of waste prevention.
Common mistakes
Do not count incineration without energy recovery as diversion. Do not count contaminated recycling loads that were rejected and landfilled. Mixing units, such as short tons and metric tonnes, silently skews the rate. Record waste movements in a log tied to cost center and material code so they can reconcile with purchasing and production scrap reported in the ERP.
- Reconcile with scrap reported in production
- Use consistent units
- Verify the end destination of each load
Frequently Asked Questions
How is waste diversion rate calculated?
Divide the tonnes diverted from landfill and incineration by total tonnes generated, then multiply by 100. Diverted streams are usually recycling, reuse, composting and sometimes waste to energy, depending on the protocol.
Does waste to energy count as diversion?
It depends on the program. Many corporate goals count it, while stricter standards such as some zero waste certifications limit it. Check your protocol and report it as a separate line either way.
What is a zero waste to landfill target?
Programs commonly define it as diverting 90% or more of waste from landfill, though definitions vary. Use the target slider to model 90% or a stricter value and see the cost impact.
Can the net diversion cost be negative?
Yes. If rebates for scrap metal or clean cardboard exceed haul and handling costs, the net is income. Enter it as a negative number so the saving calculation reflects the full benefit.
Netray can help pull scrap, waste hauler and production data from your ERP into one waste dashboard, running on your own servers if required.
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