Select material and enter weight to calculate CO₂ savings:
How This Calculator Works
This calculator estimates the amount of CO₂ emissions you save by recycling different materials. The savings are based on CO₂ saving factors, which represent how much carbon footprint is reduced for each unit of material recycled.
Select a material from the dropdown list.
Enter the weight of the material you recycled.
Choose the unit of measurement (Kilograms or Pounds).
Click the "Calculate Savings" button to see the result.
How CO₂ Savings Are Estimated:
Every material contributes differently to CO₂ reduction when recycled. For example, recycling plastic prevents more emissions compared to glass, because plastic production releases higher amounts of CO₂.
The calculator checks the weight of the material you entered and multiplies it by a predefined CO₂ saving factor specific to that material. These factors are based on environmental studies and industry data.
Average CO₂ Savings by Material:
Plastic: ~2.26 lbs CO₂ saved per pound recycled
Paper: ~1.01 lbs CO₂ saved per pound recycled
Glass: ~0.68 lbs CO₂ saved per pound recycled
Metals: ~12.92 lbs CO₂ saved per pound recycled
Scrap Metal: ~7.87 lbs CO₂ saved per pound recycled
Aluminum: ~17.95 lbs CO₂ saved per pound recycled
Steel: ~1.89 lbs CO₂ saved per pound recycled
Copper: ~5.86 lbs CO₂ saved per pound recycled
Textiles: ~7.43 lbs CO₂ saved per pound recycled
If you recycle a large amount, the total CO₂ savings increase accordingly. This gives you an idea of how much you are reducing the environmental impact by recycling.