Carbon Footprint Calculator

User Guide

This tool estimates net CO₂e impact of recycling for a reporting period.

How it works

Recycling savings = sum(weight_kg × factor_kgCO₂e_per_kg) for each material.
Emissions = Transport (km × trips × vehicle factor) + Electricity (kWh × grid factor).
Net impact = Recycling savings − Emissions.
Positive net = avoided CO₂e; negative = emissions exceed savings.

Quick steps

Enter customer/site and period.
Add materials with weights and factors (or load examples).
Fill transport and electricity (or use presets).
Review results in kg and t CO₂e.
Export CSV or copy summary.

Tips

Use kilograms (kg); 1 tonne = 1000 kg.
Vehicle factors vary by vehicle and fuel; adjust as needed.
Grid factor depends on your location’s electricity mix.

About Life Cycle Assessment (LCA)

Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) measures environmental impacts across the full life cycle of a product or service.

Scope and boundaries

Select a system boundary (cradle‑to‑grave, cradle‑to‑gate, or gate‑to‑gate) and define a functional unit (e.g., “1 kg of recycled paper”).

Core steps

Goal & scope definition
Life Cycle Inventory (LCI): inputs, energy, emissions, and outputs
Life Cycle Impact Assessment (LCIA): convert flows to impacts (e.g., CO₂e)
Interpretation: conclusions, sensitivity, limitations

Standards

ISO 14040/14044 describe LCA principles, framework, and requirements.

Impact metric

CO₂e aggregates greenhouse gases using 100‑year Global Warming Potentials (GWP100).

Data and allocation

Combine primary data (your operations) with quality secondary databases.
Check representativeness and document assumptions.
For multiple outputs, allocate by mass, energy, or economic value.

In this calculator

Material factors (kg CO₂e saved per kg) and vehicle/grid factors are derived from LCA studies—estimating avoided emissions from recycling and emissions from transport/electricity.

Limitations

Data uncertainty, regional differences, and evolving technology affect results; review and update factors periodically.

Customer / Site Report Period Notes

1) Materials Recycled

Weights in kilograms (kg). Factors = kg CO₂e saved per kg recycled.

Material	Weight (kg)	Factor (kg CO₂e/kg)	Saved (kg CO₂e)

Total Saved (kg CO₂e)

2) Pickup Transport & Electricity

Pickup distance (round-trip km) Trips in period Vehicle factor (kg CO₂e per km)

Examples: small diesel truck ≈ 0.25–0.30 kg/km; pickup ≈ 0.20–0.25; motorcycle ≈ 0.06–0.09. Adjust as needed.

Electricity used at facility (kWh) Grid factor (kg CO₂e per kWh)

Transport Emissions (kg)

Electricity Emissions (kg)

3) Results

Total Saved (kg)

Total Emitted (kg)

Net Impact (kg)

In Tonnes CO₂e

Saved (t)

Emitted (t)

Net (t)

✅ Positive = net CO₂e avoided.

⚠️ Negative = emissions exceed savings (review transport/energy).

Interpreting Results

This article-style guide explains what the three outputs mean and how to act on them.

The core formulas

Recycling savings = Σ(weight kg × factor kg CO₂e/kg)

Emissions = Transport (km × trips × vehicle factor) + Electricity (kWh × grid factor)

Net impact = Recycling savings − Emissions

Worked example

Paper 200 kg × 1.30 → 260 kg saved; Transport 40 km × 4 × 0.25 → 40 kg; Electricity 150 × 0.50 → 75 kg; Net = 260 − (40 + 75) = 145 kg avoided.

How to interpret outcomes

If Net is Positive: you avoid more CO₂e than you emit. Keep the practice and consider scaling collection volume.

If Net is Negative: logistics/energy emissions exceed recycling savings. Reduce distance or trips, increase load per trip, or improve vehicle/grid factors.

If Near Zero: you’re close to neutral. Small improvements in routing, consolidation, or material sorting can flip the balance.

What to do next

Verify material factors against your LCA or national guidance.
Use actual distance and trip logs for transport data.
Revisit grid factor periodically; values vary by region and year.

Advanced & Presets (example factors—replace with your LCA values)

Material Factor Presets (kg CO₂e/kg)

Aluminum cans: 9.16
Steel: 1.50
Paper (mixed): 1.30
Cardboard: 1.00
PET plastic: 1.50
HDPE plastic: 1.30
Mixed plastic: 0.70
Glass: 0.30
E-waste (avg): 2.00

♻️ Carbon Footprint Calculator (Recycling)