Recycling Revenue Calculator

About the Recycling Revenue Calculator

Recyclable materials have market value. Cardboard sells for $50–150 per ton, aluminum cans for $800–1,200 per ton, and scrap steel for $150–300 per ton. For businesses that generate significant volumes of clean, sorted recyclables, selling these materials can offset waste-management costs or even generate net revenue.

The recycling commodity market fluctuates based on global demand, oil prices, and contamination levels. Clean, source-separated materials command premium prices, while mixed or contaminated loads may be worth little or even carry processing fees.

This calculator estimates annual recycling revenue by allowing you to enter the tons of each material stream and the market price you want to test. Use it to evaluate whether self-marketing recyclables (rather than paying a hauler) would be profitable, or to forecast revenue for a municipal recycling program.

When This Page Helps

Recyclables have market value that often goes unrealized. This calculator shows the potential revenue from selling recyclable materials, turning a cost center into an income stream using the prices and tonnage you enter.

How to Use the Inputs

1. Enter the monthly or annual tons for each material: cardboard, mixed paper, aluminum, steel, and plastic.
2. Enter the current market price per ton for each material.
3. View the total annual revenue.
4. Compare against what you currently pay your waste hauler for recycling service.

Example Calculation

Tips & Best Practices

• Clean, source-separated materials get the best prices.
• Aluminum has the highest per-ton value of common recyclables.
• Bundle cardboard and bale paper to increase value.
• Check current prices at scrap yards or on commodity exchanges.
• Contamination (food, moisture) dramatically reduces material value.
• Small volumes may not justify self-marketing — compare against hauler fees.

Recycling Commodity Price Ranges

Cardboard (OCC): $50–150/ton. Mixed paper: $0–40/ton. Newspaper: $30–80/ton. Aluminum cans: $800–1,200/ton. Steel/tin cans: $150–300/ton. HDPE plastic: $200–500/ton. PET plastic: $100–350/ton. Glass: $0–30/ton (or negative in many markets). Prices fluctuate with global demand.

Self-Marketing vs. Hauler Services

Self-marketing recyclables (selling directly to mills or scrap dealers) typically earns higher prices but requires sufficient volume, storage space, a baler or compactor, and logistics management. For most small generators, a recycling hauler is more practical even at lower net returns.

Maximizing Recycling Revenue

Source-separate materials at the point of generation. Keep materials clean and dry. Bale or compact to reduce transport costs. Build relationships with multiple buyers to negotiate better prices. Track market prices quarterly and adjust contracts accordingly.

Frequently Asked Questions

• What recyclable material is most valuable?

  Aluminum is the most valuable common recyclable at $800–1,200/ton. Copper wire is even higher at $3,000–7,000/ton. Cardboard is the most commonly recycled by volume, worth $50–150/ton.

• How much do recycling commodity prices fluctuate?

  Significantly. Cardboard prices can swing from $50 to $200/ton within a year. Aluminum is usually more stable. Mixed paper prices dropped dramatically when China restricted imports. Always check posted market prices before making hauling or broker decisions.

• Does contamination affect revenue?

  Yes, dramatically. Clean, dry, source-separated materials command top prices. A single contaminated load can be rejected or charged a processing penalty. Investing in source separation always pays off.

• Can households sell recyclables?

  For most materials, the volumes are too small. However, aluminum cans ($0.30–0.60/lb), scrap metal, and in bottle-deposit states, glass and plastic bottles, can generate small amounts of income.

• What is a recycling broker?

  Recycling brokers act as intermediaries between generators and end markets. They aggregate materials from multiple sources, handle logistics, and pay generators based on market prices minus a commission.

• Should I bale my cardboard?

  If you generate more than 1–2 tons per month, a cardboard baler ($3,000–10,000) can pay for itself quickly. Baled cardboard is worth $20–50 more per ton than loose cardboard and takes far less storage space.