What is a Recycling Rate?
The recycling rate is the percentage of total waste that is collected, processed, and converted into new materials instead of being sent to landfill or incineration. It measures the effectiveness of recycling systems and waste diversion efforts within a specific area, sector, or organization.
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A recycling rate reflects how efficiently a community or organization manages its material recovery. For example, a city with a 60% recycling rate successfully diverts more than half of its waste from disposal. Rates can be calculated for specific materials (such as plastics or metals) or for total municipal solid waste. Related terms include diversion rate, which also includes composting and reuse, and recovery rate, which focuses on materials reclaimed for further use.