Conversion Table for Recycled Materials

Citation
561 FW 5
Exhibit
1
Supersedes
Exhibit 3, 561 FW 15, 12/31/1996
Date
FWM
N/A
Originating Office
Infrastructure Management Division

Department of the Interior Conversion Factors

Revised:  July 2015

Type of Waste

Cubic Yards Compacted

Cubic Yards Uncompacted

Gallons

Each

Aluminum

340

62

  

Antifreeze

  

9.30

 

Asphalt

 

1,400

  

Batteries (Lead/Acid – Car)

  

39.40

 

Batteries (Lead/Acid – Truck)

  

53.30

 

Batteries (NiCd Rechargeable)

  

0.25

 

Brick

3,024

1,400

  

Cardboard

400

100

  

Carpet

600

600

  

Ceiling Tiles

175

175

 

0.26

Computers – Desktop (PC)

   

26.00

Computers – Notebook (Laptop)

   

7.00

Computers - Keyboard

   

3.00

Computers – Monitors (CRT)

   

31.00

Computers – Printer (Personal Printer)

   

29.00

Computers – Toner Cartridge

   

1.00

Concrete

3,000

1,800

  

Construction and Demolition Waste (Mixed)

 

900

  

Drywall

 

700

  

Fluorescent Lamps

   

0.50

Fluorescent Light Ballasts

   

3.00

Food Waste

 

1,500

  

Glass

1,800

600

  

Grass Clippings (via Grasscycling)

600

400

  

Green Waste (Plant Matter)

650

50

  

Manure

1,200

1,200

  

Pallets

300

  

40.00

Paper (Mixed)

755

380

  

Paper (Newspaper)

860

430

  

Paper (White)

755

420

  

Plastic (#1PET / #2HDPE)

650

50

  

Scrap Metals

 

900

  

Solid Waste, Co-mingled (glass, aluminum cans, plastic, etc.)

 

180

  

Solid Waste, Single-stream Mixed Recyclables[1]

 

139

  

Solid Waste, Non-Diverted, Non-hazardous, Non-C&D Waste[2]

600

250

  

Steel Cans

850

150

  

Television (CRT)

   

49.00

Used Oil

  

7.34

 

Tires - Car

   

21.00

Tires - Truck

   

70.00

Wood Chips

 

500

  

Note: These figures are estimates, however, when trying to determine the amount of materials generated, please try to stick to these conversions so that all figures are reported in a similar fashion.

[1] Single-stream mixed recyclables are non-hazardous solid wastes collected in a single receptacle and are usually of similar composition where mixing them is allowed by a local recycling authority. Examples include marked recycling receptacles in offices, visitor centers, etc. They include mixes, such as steel and aluminum cans, glass and plastic bottles, mixed paper and cardboard, etc.

[2] This is general trash not sorted in any way.