Recycling Diversion Rate Calculator
Turn a week’s recycling, compost, and trash weights into a diversion rate, the pounds you keep out of landfill each year, and the gap to a zero-waste goal.
Measure it, then move the needle
Most households guess their recycling is “pretty good” without ever putting a number on it. Weighing a typical week reveals the truth — often that a surprising share of what goes to landfill could have been composted or recycled. Once you have a rate, small changes like a kitchen compost caddy or a second recycling bin show up as measurable progress toward the zero-waste target rather than good intentions.
Compost and food scraps also tie into the Food Waste Cost Calculator, which puts a dollar and carbon figure on the food you throw out in the first place.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a diversion rate?
It is the share of your waste that avoids landfill or incineration by being recycled or composted. Add the weight you recycle and compost, divide by your total waste including landfill trash, and multiply by 100. If you recycle 20 pounds, compost 10, and bin 20, you divert 30 of 50 pounds — a 60% diversion rate. Measuring it turns a vague sense of “we recycle” into a number you can improve.
How do I weigh my waste streams?
You don't need to be precise. Weigh a full bag on a bathroom scale, or estimate from how many bags of each type you set out in a typical week. Enter a representative week rather than an unusual one — no big party or spring clean-out. Because the rate is a ratio, consistent rough estimates across all three streams give a reliable percentage even if the exact pounds are approximate.
What counts as diverted, and what is 'zero waste'?
Diverted material is anything kept out of landfill through recycling or composting; some programs also count reuse and donation. 'Zero waste' is conventionally defined as diverting 90% or more of your waste, not literally none. The tool shows how many extra pounds a week you would need to move from the trash into recycling or compost to reach that 90% threshold, which is a realistic stretch goal for most households.
Does a high diversion rate mean I'm creating little waste?
Not necessarily. Diversion measures where your waste goes, not how much you make — you can divert 80% of a very large pile. Reducing what you buy and waste in the first place matters as much as sorting it well, so pair a good diversion rate with cutting packaging and food waste. This is an educational estimate to track and improve sorting, not a certified waste audit.
Estimates only, based on the weekly weights you enter. Not a certified waste audit — check which materials your local program actually accepts.