{
  "slug": "waste-diversion-rate",
  "title": "Waste Diversion Rate & Hauling Savings Calculator",
  "heading": "Waste Diversion Rate Calculator",
  "category": "other",
  "url": "https://www.revenuelab.fyi/toolbox/waste-diversion-rate",
  "summary": "Diversion percentage from landfill, plus hauling cost savings from recycling.",
  "description": "Diversion rate is the single most-cited waste metric in ESG reports and LEED/TRUE certification, and it's simple: recycled plus composted tonnage divided by total waste generated. This calculator computes that rate and also estimates the hauling cost savings from diverting material, since recycling and compost pickups are usually priced lower per ton than landfill tipping fees and disposal hauls. Facilities managers use this to justify diversion program investment — a new baler or compactor pays for itself partly through avoided landfill tip fees, which have risen steadily as landfill capacity tightens in most US regions. The rate itself is also a required data point for TRUE Zero Waste certification (90%+ diversion) and many corporate sustainability reports that benchmark against EPA's WARM model categories.",
  "formula": "Diversion rate = (recycled + composted tons) ÷ total waste tons. Hauling savings = diverted tons × (landfill cost/ton − recycling cost/ton).",
  "dateModified": "2026-09-30",
  "run_url": "https://www.revenuelab.fyi/api/public/calc?tool=waste-diversion-rate",
  "inputs": [
    {
      "id": "landfillTons",
      "label": "Landfill (disposed) tons/yr",
      "kind": "number",
      "hint": null,
      "default": 120,
      "unit": null,
      "min": 0,
      "max": null
    },
    {
      "id": "recycledTons",
      "label": "Recycled tons/yr",
      "kind": "number",
      "hint": null,
      "default": 60,
      "unit": null,
      "min": 0,
      "max": null
    },
    {
      "id": "compostTons",
      "label": "Composted tons/yr",
      "kind": "number",
      "hint": null,
      "default": 20,
      "unit": null,
      "min": 0,
      "max": null
    },
    {
      "id": "landfillCost",
      "label": "Landfill cost per ton",
      "kind": "number",
      "hint": null,
      "default": 65,
      "unit": "$",
      "min": 0,
      "max": null
    },
    {
      "id": "recycleCost",
      "label": "Recycling cost per ton",
      "kind": "number",
      "hint": null,
      "default": 35,
      "unit": "$",
      "min": 0,
      "max": null
    }
  ],
  "outputs": [
    {
      "id": "rate",
      "label": "Diversion rate",
      "format": "percent",
      "hint": null,
      "primary": true
    },
    {
      "id": "diverted",
      "label": "Total diverted tons",
      "format": "number",
      "hint": null,
      "primary": false
    },
    {
      "id": "total",
      "label": "Total waste generated",
      "format": "number",
      "hint": null,
      "primary": false
    },
    {
      "id": "savings",
      "label": "Estimated annual hauling savings",
      "format": "currency",
      "hint": null,
      "primary": false
    },
    {
      "id": "savingsPerTon",
      "label": "Savings per diverted ton",
      "format": "currency",
      "hint": null,
      "primary": false
    }
  ],
  "worked_example": {
    "inputs": [
      "Landfill (disposed) tons/yr: 120",
      "Recycled tons/yr: 60",
      "Composted tons/yr: 20",
      "Landfill cost per ton: 65 $",
      "Recycling cost per ton: 35 $"
    ],
    "outputs": [
      "Diversion rate: 40.0%",
      "Total diverted tons: 80",
      "Total waste generated: 200",
      "Estimated annual hauling savings: $2,400",
      "Savings per diverted ton: $30.00"
    ]
  },
  "how_to": {
    "title": "How to use this",
    "steps": [
      "Enter landfill (disposed) tons/yr.",
      "Enter recycled tons/yr.",
      "Enter composted tons/yr.",
      "Enter landfill cost per ton ($).",
      "Enter recycling cost per ton ($).",
      "Read your diversion rate on the right — it updates as you type.",
      "Hit Share to keep the scenario or send it to someone."
    ]
  },
  "scenarios": [
    {
      "name": "Conservative",
      "description": "Lower-end numbers — what if things land soft?",
      "values": {
        "landfillTons": 70,
        "recycledTons": 35,
        "compostTons": 10,
        "landfillCost": 40,
        "recycleCost": 20
      }
    },
    {
      "name": "Typical",
      "description": "Defaults — the most common real-world setup.",
      "values": {
        "landfillTons": 120,
        "recycledTons": 60,
        "compostTons": 20,
        "landfillCost": 65,
        "recycleCost": 35
      }
    },
    {
      "name": "Ambitious",
      "description": "Higher-end numbers — what if things really pop?",
      "values": {
        "landfillTons": 190,
        "recycledTons": 95,
        "compostTons": 30,
        "landfillCost": 105,
        "recycleCost": 55
      }
    }
  ],
  "limitations": [
    "Estimates assume standard, average conditions — local rules, pricing, and materials vary.",
    "Results are rounded for readability; add a buffer before ordering, booking, or committing.",
    "Double-check anything with a real cost attached against a local quote."
  ],
  "faq": [
    {
      "q": "What diversion rate counts as 'good'?",
      "a": "The EPA national average sits around 32%. TRUE Zero Waste certification requires 90%+ diversion measured over 12 months, excluding waste-to-energy. Most corporate facilities that invest seriously in source separation and composting land in the 50-75% range within two to three years of program launch."
    },
    {
      "q": "Does hauling savings always work out positive?",
      "a": "Usually, because tip fees at landfills have climbed nationally (many regions now $60-100+/ton) while single-stream recycling and organics collection often run cheaper per ton, especially when a hauler bundles pickup frequency. In rural areas with far-away recycling facilities the math can flip, so check your actual hauler contract rates."
    },
    {
      "q": "Should waste-to-energy count as diversion?",
      "a": "Most rigorous standards (including TRUE) exclude waste-to-energy from diversion credit because it still emits and doesn't recover material value. Some state and corporate reporting frameworks count it separately as 'diverted from landfill' but not as 'recycled,' so check your specific reporting standard before including it here."
    }
  ],
  "related": [
    "https://www.revenuelab.fyi/toolbox/recycling-revenue",
    "https://www.revenuelab.fyi/toolbox/compost-diversion-savings",
    "https://www.revenuelab.fyi/toolbox/methane-landfill-emissions"
  ],
  "license": "CC-BY-4.0",
  "citation": "RevenueLab — Waste Diversion Rate & Hauling Savings Calculator (https://www.revenuelab.fyi/toolbox/waste-diversion-rate)"
}