Recycling Landscapes & Hardscapes Calculator
Examples of quantified benefits include:
- Water conserved (gallons)
- Energy conserved (MJ)
- Greenhouse gases avoided (lbs of CO2 equivalent only)
- CO avoided (grams)
- VOC avoided (grams)
- NOx avoided (grams)
- SO2 avoided (grams)
- PM avoided (grams)
- RCRA Hazardous Waste avoided (grams)
- Waste reused (lbs)
- Waste recycled (lbs)
- Waste landfilled (lbs)
- Energy use (MJ)
Based on values inputted by users, the calculator estimates the cost of four scenarios for handling hardscape and landscape waste:
- Reusing all waste possible on-site, then recycling all waste possible, and then disposing of the rest;
- Reusing all waste possible and disposing of the rest;
- Recycling as much of the remaining waste as possible and disposing of the rest; and
- Disposing of all materials.
The calculator demonstrates to landscapers why it can also be in their economic interests to adopt waste diversion practices. Although originally designed to help landscaping companies, sustainability officers can also use the calculator to meet several goals. It can be included as part of a campaign to divert landscape waste from landfills. The calculator also quantifies the economic and environmental benefits of adding landscape materials to recycling programs. It could be used at the facility level to measure recycling impacts at government-owned sites, or for estimating citywide volumes based on local data. While increasing the use of compost over time may offer additional cost savings in terms of reduced fertilizer and/or pesticide use, the calculator does not consider these potential savings.
Waste disposal sites for solid waste from human activities.The disposal of waste other than through incineration or the use of landfills. Examples include reuse and recycling.A mixture of decayed plants and other organic material that is used to enrich soil with nutrients.The inanimate elements of the building landscaping. Examples include pavement, roadways, stone walls, concrete paths and sidewalks, and concrete.The collection, reprocessing, marketing, and use of materials that were diverted or recovered from the solid waste stream.Greenhouse gases are a part of the Earth's atmosphere and are both naturally occurring and the result of human chemical processes. The most common greenhouse gases are carbon dioxide, water vapor, methane, nitrous oxide, ozone, and chlorofluourocarbons. These gases trap heat and thus contribute to the warming of the planet. See also CFCS and GREENHOUSE EFFECT.The ability or potential of a physical body to do work. The most common forms of energy are heat, light, mechanical (moving parts), and electrical.
