Now you can calculate the environmental benefits of recycling

RMIT University has produced the kerbside recycling calculator — an online tool that enables Victorian households, businesses and governments to estimate the environmental benefits of recycling in terms of greenhouse gas reduction, water and energy savings.

RMIT had been commissioned by Sustainability Victoria to undertake a life-cycle assessment (LCA) of kerbside recycling in Victoria in order to measure the environmental impacts of the life cycle of a product, service or system. The project produced both the calculator and a report titled ‘LCA of Kerbside Recycling in Victoria’.

The report assesses the net environmental benefits of recycling various products — such as glass, plastic, paper, metals and aluminium — by considering the existing recycling process including collection, sorting and reprocessing systems and compares these against the alternative of using landfill. It is anticipated that the study may be used to inform waste policy in the future and will be useful for waste planning authorities, local governments and the reprocessing industry.

The calculator, meanwhile, estimates the annual environmental benefit derived from recycling the above products. It is said to be the first LCA kerbside recycling calculator that has been made available for the Victorian public to use, enabling households to clearly see the positive impacts of their recycling habits.

To view the online calculator and report, click here.