Recycling Diversion Rate Calculator
The waste diversion rate measures how effectively a household, facility, municipality, or organization is keeping waste out of landfills through recycling, composting, reuse, and other alternative management methods. The EPA defines diversion rate as diverted waste divided by total waste generated, expressed as a percentage. This is the standard metric reported in EPA's annual Advancing Sustainable Materials Management (formerly Facts and Figures) reports. Enter your total waste generated and the amounts recycled, composted, and otherwise diverted to calculate your diversion rate.
Diversion rate formula
Total diverted = Recycled + Composted + Other diverted
Diversion rate (%) = Total diverted / Total waste generated * 100
To landfill = Total waste - Total diverted
Landfill rate (%) = To landfill / Total waste * 100
All inputs should be in the same units (tons, kilograms, cubic yards, etc.) and cover the same time period (day, month, year). The diversion rate plus landfill rate sum to 100 percent. This formula is consistent with EPA's methodology in the Advancing Sustainable Materials Management report series.
US waste diversion context
- US MSW generation is about 4.9 pounds per person per day, one of the highest rates in the world (EPA 2018).
- The overall US diversion rate was about 35 percent in 2018 (25% recycled, 10% composted).
- Food waste is the largest component of MSW (about 22 percent by weight) but has only a 5 percent diversion rate.
- EPA's Sustainable Materials Management (SMM) program promotes lifecycle thinking, zero waste goals, and circular economy approaches.
- Achieving 50 percent diversion nationally would require significant investment in composting infrastructure and expanded recyclables markets.
Frequently asked questions
What is a waste diversion rate?
The waste diversion rate is the percentage of total waste generated that is diverted from landfill disposal through recycling, composting, reuse, or other alternative management methods. It is calculated as: Diversion rate (%) = Diverted waste / Total waste generated * 100.
What is the US average waste diversion rate?
According to EPA's Advancing Sustainable Materials Management report, the US recycled or composted about 35 percent of municipal solid waste in 2018 (the latest comprehensive data year). This includes 25 percent recycling and 10 percent composting. Total MSW generation was about 292 million tons.
What materials contribute most to diversion?
Paper and paperboard have the highest diversion rates (about 68 percent recycled). Metals have high rates too: steel cans at 71 percent, aluminum cans at 50 percent. Glass recycling is about 31 percent. Food waste is the lowest: only about 5 percent is composted despite being the largest component of MSW by weight (EPA 2018).
What is the difference between recycling rate and diversion rate?
The recycling rate typically refers only to materials sent to recycling facilities. The diversion rate is broader and includes composting, anaerobic digestion, landfill gas energy recovery, and sometimes incineration with energy recovery. EPA uses the term 'diversion rate' for the combined total diverted from landfill.
What are state and local recycling mandates?
Many states have set recycling and diversion targets. California aims for 75 percent diversion by 2025. Some cities like San Francisco claim to have achieved over 80 percent diversion through aggressive composting and recycling programs. EPA provides technical assistance to municipalities through its sustainable materials management programs.
Official sources
- EPA: Advancing Sustainable Materials Management: Facts and Figures.
- EPA: Sustainable Materials Management.
- EPA: EPA Recycling Resources.
Reviewed by the CalculatorHub team, edited by James Graham, 15 June 2026. See our methodology.