Rex says
Everyday utility math — the kind you'd otherwise pull up four browser tabs for. I keep it to one clean answer.
Try a scenario
Click to load — tweak from there.Inputs
Result
Diversion rate
40.0%
Total diverted tons
80.0
Total waste generated
200.0
Estimated annual hauling savings
$2,400
Savings per diverted ton
$30.00
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How to use this
- 1Enter landfill (disposed) tons/yr.
- 2Enter recycled tons/yr.
- 3Enter composted tons/yr.
- 4Enter landfill cost per ton ($).
- 5Enter recycling cost per ton ($).
- 6Read your diversion rate on the right — it updates as you type.
- 7Hit Share to keep the scenario or send it to someone.
About this calculator
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.
Worked example
Using the values the calculator loads with:
Inputs
- Landfill (disposed) tons/yr: 120
- Recycled tons/yr: 60
- Composted tons/yr: 20
- Landfill cost per ton: 65 $
- Recycling cost per ton: 35 $
Results
- Diversion rate: 40.0%
- Total diverted tons: 80
- Total waste generated: 200
- Estimated annual hauling savings: $2,400
- Savings per diverted ton: $30.00
What each field means
Inputs
- Landfill (disposed) tons/yr
- The landfill (disposed) tons/yr used in the calculation. Starts at 120 so you have a working example on load.
- Recycled tons/yr
- The recycled tons/yr used in the calculation. Starts at 60 so you have a working example on load.
- Composted tons/yr
- The composted tons/yr used in the calculation. Starts at 20 so you have a working example on load.
- Landfill cost per ton ($)
- The landfill cost per ton used in the calculation, measured in $. Starts at 65 $ so you have a working example on load.
- Recycling cost per ton ($)
- The recycling cost per ton used in the calculation, measured in $. Starts at 35 $ so you have a working example on load.
Results
- Diversion rate
- Returned as a percentage and shown as the headline result. It recalculates instantly whenever you change an input, so you can compare scenarios without reloading.
- Total diverted tons
- Returned as a whole number. It recalculates instantly whenever you change an input, so you can compare scenarios without reloading.
- Total waste generated
- Returned as a whole number. It recalculates instantly whenever you change an input, so you can compare scenarios without reloading.
- Estimated annual hauling savings
- Returned as a money amount in US dollars. It recalculates instantly whenever you change an input, so you can compare scenarios without reloading.
- Savings per diverted ton
- Returned as a money amount in US dollars. It recalculates instantly whenever you change an input, so you can compare scenarios without reloading.
FAQ
What diversion rate counts as 'good'?
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.
Does hauling savings always work out positive?
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.
Should waste-to-energy count as diversion?
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.
Accuracy and 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.
Related tools
Recycling Revenue Calculator
Estimated revenue from selling recyclable materials by commodity.
Compost Diversion Savings Calculator
Cost and emissions savings from composting instead of landfilling food waste.
Landfill Methane Emissions Calculator
Estimated methane emissions from your organic and mixed waste sent to landfill.
Cite this calculator
Writing about this topic? Grab a citation — every link helps keep these tools free.
RevenueLab. (2026). Waste Diversion Rate & Hauling Savings Calculator. Retrieved from https://www.revenuelab.fyi/toolbox/waste-diversion-rate
<p>Source: <a href="https://www.revenuelab.fyi/toolbox/waste-diversion-rate" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Waste Diversion Rate & Hauling Savings Calculator — RevenueLab</a> (2026).</p>
Source: [Waste Diversion Rate & Hauling Savings Calculator — RevenueLab](https://www.revenuelab.fyi/toolbox/waste-diversion-rate) (2026).