Understanding Landfill Diversion: What It Is & Why Diversion Rate

What is a diversion rate?

Diversion Rate refers to how much discarded materials are saved from landfill disposal or incineration (via recycling, composting, or other prevention measures). 

The State of California even has required levels of landfill diversion levels for construction and demolition materials. This is set at 65%, meaning only 35% of discarded material waste can be landfilled. Further, commercial properties must also recycle and maintain diversion rates. In San Diego County, waste requirements set a minimum landfill diversion rate of 35% for businesses.

Why? Diverting materials from landfills (via recycling, composting, or other prevention measures): 

•  Creates positive environmental and economic outcomes

•  Reduces excessive waste costs

•  Reduces the rapid rate at which our landfills reach capacity.productive use

• Reduces the rapid rate at which our landfills reach capacity.

Learn more about landfills, how they’re made, and how they’re impacting communities.

Benefits of tracking diversion: What’s measured is managed. Diversion tells a story about where your waste materials & budget dollars are going and where could be better utilized.

Reducing, reusing, recycling and other zero waste practices can reduce spending on waste AND increase diversion numbers.

How to calculate basic diversion rate: This can be measured by volume, weight, or some other standard unit. Calculating diversion by volume may be done very easily with the basic infomation found on most waste invoices/accounts. Simply take the weight or volume of materials being diverted (recycled, composted, or otherwise prevented from landfill/incineration), divide it over the total discarded materials, and multiply for a percentage.  

Example:

Your building has the following waste services: (1) 4-CY frontload for trash picked up twice weekly, and (2) 3-CY frontloads for recycling, both picked up once a week.

Assuming the three dumpsters above are full, and without material volume to weight converted, you can use the below calculation:

Your building: (2*3*1) / (2*3*1) + (1*4*2) = (6/14) * 100 = 43% Diversion

Keep in mind, this diversion rate is only based on volume! Converting volumes to weights tells a more accurate story.

To convert volume-to-weight: publicly available EPA equivalents can be used, though waste data from the actual project (e.g. from a waste audit)  is the most accurate method of determining the weight of waste volumes for your diversion metrics. 

Consider fill levels: Monitoring fill levels of bins throughout the week will give you more accurate values for your diversion and uncover any rightsizing or contamination reduction opportunities. This can be done physically by onsite staff or remotely using container monitoring technology. 

Consider diversion tracking as a STARTING POINT to proper material/waste management: read more about essentials for smarter property management or reach out to team WNC. Waste not, want not!