About

Recycling creates a closed-loop system where raw materials are reused, significantly reducing the energy required for extraction and refining. For example, recycling aluminum requires 95% less energy than producing it from bauxite ore. This calculator uses data from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) WARM model to quantify your contribution. It translates abstract kilowatt-hours (kWh) into relatable metrics, like smartphone charges or hours of TV usage, helping users visualize the tangible impact of their waste management habits.

Formulas

The total energy saved (E_total) is the sum of quantities (q) multiplied by their material energy factor (f_e).

E_total = n∑i=1 (q_i × f_e,i)

Equivalents are derived by dividing the total energy by the consumption rate of a device (C_device).

Hours = E_totalC_device

Reference Data

Material	Energy Saved (per item)	CO₂ Avoided (per item)
Aluminum Can	0.20 kWh	0.09 kg
Glass Bottle	0.01 kWh	0.05 kg
Plastic Bottle (PET)	0.03 kWh	0.04 kg
Newspaper (Stack)	0.15 kWh	0.20 kg
Steel Can	0.18 kWh	0.10 kg

Frequently Asked Questions

Aluminum can be recycled indefinitely without losing quality. The energy required to recycle it is only 5% of that needed to mine and refine new aluminum, making it the most energy-efficient material to recycle.

Yes. Contamination (food residue) can ruin an entire batch of recyclables, sending them to the landfill. A quick rinse is usually sufficient.

We assume an average smartphone battery holds about 15 watt-hours (0.015 kWh). We divide the total energy saved by this constant.