Enter either floor-area data or direct material quantities. The tool estimates total waste, splits by material, and projects containers, trips, and costs.
This calculator provides planning-level estimates and can be refined with site audits.
- Choose an estimate method at the top.
- Enter your project basics and key inputs.
- Set waste factor and moisture uplift values.
- Adjust recycling target and contamination rate.
- Enter container and cost data for projections.
- Review results above the form after calculating.
- Export CSV or PDF to share with stakeholders.
This sample shows typical inputs and a summarized output snapshot. Your results will vary by material handling, procurement, and site practices.
| Scenario | Gross area (m²) | Waste rate (kg/m²) | Waste factor | Recycling target | Estimated waste (tons) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New build, mid-rise | 3,600 | 40 | 10% | 50% | 166.32 |
| Renovation, controlled works | 1,000 | 25 | 8% | 60% | 28.35 |
| Demolition, high variability | 2,000 | 90 | 15% | 40% | 217.35 |
Waste forecasting for early budgets
Accurate waste allowances protect margins when drawings are incomplete. Using gross floor area with a local waste rate produces a transparent baseline. Add a waste factor for rework, offcuts, and breakage, then include moisture uplift for wet skips after rain or washdown.
For planning, many projects fall between 20–90 kg/m² depending on scope and fit‑out intensity. Track three indicators: tons per 100 m², volume per trip, and diversion rate. A 10 m³ skip at 0.85 fill efficiency yields 8.5 m³ effective capacity. If your hauling cost is 75 per trip and disposal is 35 per ton, one extra trip plus 5 tons to landfill can add 250 to the week. Use sensitivity checks to justify better sorting stations and protected storage. Document assumptions in meeting minutes to keep estimates consistent across teams weekly.
Material split for container planning
Breakdown by material converts mass into volume using density inputs. Concrete and masonry are heavy and quickly hit weight limits, while packaging fills bins before reaching tonnage. Adjust densities to reflect mixed loads, bulk bags, and the degree of segregation on site.
Diversion targets and contamination reality
Recycling performance is usually lower than stated targets because mixed bins contain food, mud, and nonconforming items. This calculator reduces recyclable tonnage by a contamination percentage so landfill quantities remain realistic. Use the output to set bin labeling, training frequency, and inspection routines.
Hauling cadence and site logistics
Trips are estimated from total volume divided by effective container capacity, including a fill efficiency factor. Low efficiency indicates poor compaction, restricted access, or uneven waste generation. With trips per day, you can forecast removal days and prevent overflow, double-handling, and safety risks.
Cost controls and reporting outputs
Total cost combines hauling, landfill disposal, and recycling processing. Scenario testing shows which lever matters most: improving segregation reduces disposal tonnage, while resizing containers reduces trips. Exportable tables support weekly waste dashboards, subcontractor feedback, and client sustainability reporting.
FAQs
1) Which method should I choose?
Use area-based for early design and budgeting. Use quantity-based when you have measured waste volumes or demolition takeoffs. You can compare both to validate assumptions.
2) What does waste factor represent?
Waste factor is an allowance for offcuts, damaged materials, rework, and packaging not captured in base rates. Increase it for complex builds, tight tolerances, or inexperienced crews.
3) Why include moisture uplift?
Wet waste weighs more and can increase disposal fees when charged by ton. Moisture uplift approximates rain, washdown water, and saturated materials stored outdoors.
4) How do densities affect results?
Densities convert mass to volume for container planning. If your bins are filling too fast, reduce density for lightweight mixed loads. If weight limits trigger early, increase density for heavy streams.
5) How is contamination applied?
Contamination reduces the recyclable portion of waste, shifting that quantity to landfill. This mirrors real MRF rejection rates when bins include mud, food, hazardous items, or mixed plastics.
6) Can I use this for weekly tracking?
Yes. Enter updated inputs from weighbridge tickets, skip counts, or subcontractor logs. Export CSV for spreadsheets and compare planned versus actual to improve procurement and segregation controls.