Skip to content
Calculator Tools
Environment Calculators

Recycling Impact Calculator

Energy and CO₂ saved by recycling paper, glass, plastic, aluminium and steel.

Enter values

Results update as you type.

Result

CO₂ saved per year

391 kg

Energy saved
1,330 kWh
Total recycled
350 kg
Landfill diverted
0.35 tonnes
Trees equivalent
18.62
Car miles equivalent
1,443

By material

Materialkg recycledkg CO₂ savedkWh saved
Paper200180800
Glass802448
Plastic4060232
Aluminium1091140
Steel2036110

About the Recycling Impact Calculator

Energy and CO₂ saved by recycling paper, glass, plastic, aluminium and steel.

Also known as: recycling savings calculator, recycling co2 saved, waste diversion impact.

How to use this calculator

  1. Enter paper and card, glass, plastic, aluminium and the other fields.
  2. The result updates instantly as you type — press Calculate (or Enter) at any time.
  3. Review the breakdown shown under the main result.
  4. Use Copy result or Share to save the answer or send a link with your inputs.

Formula

CO₂ saved = Σ (kg recycled × saving factor for that material)

Worked example

Using the values pre-filled in the calculator above:

  • Paper and card = 200 kg/year
  • Glass = 80 kg/year
  • Plastic = 40 kg/year
  • Aluminium = 10 kg/year
  • Steel cans = 20 kg/year

the calculator returns:

  • CO₂ saved per year: 391 kg
  • Energy saved: 1,330 kWh
  • Total recycled: 350 kg
  • Landfill diverted: 0.35 tonnes