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Estimate based on the material and recycling weight you provided. This page explains our methodology, sources, and limitations in plain English so you can understand exactly where our numbers come from.
CO₂ Impact Points are a scoring unit used in Recycle Rewards to estimate the environmental benefit of recycling. They are calculated from the weight and material type of each recycling submission, using approved environmental factors.
Different materials have different environmental impacts when recycled — for example, recycling aluminium saves far more CO₂ per kilogram than recycling glass. That's why we ask you to select your material: weight alone is not sufficient for an accurate estimate.
Net weight (kg) × Material factor × Points multiplier = CO₂ Impact Points
Example: 1 kg of metal = 1 × 4.0 × 100 = 400 CO₂ Impact Points
Net weight = your total weight minus any container/tare weight
Every calculation is recorded with its methodology version, factor source, and timestamp — so we can always answer: where did this number come from, which methodology produced it, which version was used, and when was it calculated?
| Material | Factor (kg/kg) | Points per kg | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Food Waste | 0.5 | 50 | WRAP |
| Garden Waste | 0.2 | 20 | WRAP |
| Glass | 0.3 | 30 | WRAP |
| Metal | 4.0 | 400 | WRAP |
| Mixed Recycling | 1.0 | 100 | WRAP |
| Paper & Card | 0.9 | 90 | WRAP |
| Plastic | 1.5 | 150 | WRAP |
| Textiles | 3.0 | 300 | WRAP |
Factor values are sourced from WRAP CarbonWARM2 methodology for waste management route impact assessment. UK Government / DESNZ greenhouse gas conversion factors referenced for emissions accounting context only.. Only ACTIVE, approved factors are used for live calculations.
If we only used weight, 1 kg of glass and 1 kg of aluminium would earn the same points — but recycling aluminium saves approximately 13× more CO₂ per kilogram than recycling glass. That's why we ask you to select your material. It takes one tap and ensures your impact is estimated accurately.
Recycle Rewards CO₂ Impact Points are an engagement and impact-estimation metric. They should not be interpreted as certified carbon credits, carbon offsets, or formal corporate greenhouse-gas accounting unless explicitly stated otherwise.
CO₂ Impact Points are not carbon credits, carbon offsets, or tradable carbon units. They are an engagement and impact-estimation metric designed to encourage recycling behaviour. For formal corporate carbon accounting, a qualified methodology and independent verification would be required.
Assumptions:
1. Factors represent estimated CO2e savings per kg of material recycled via kerbside recycling routes compared to residual waste disposal. 2. Net weight is used (gross weight minus container/tare weight). 3. Material selection is required — weight alone is insufficient. 4. Geographic scope: United Kingdom. 5. Calculation boundary includes collection, sorting, and reprocessing benefits.
Limitations:
1. These are estimated values for behavioural reward purposes, NOT certified carbon credits or formal Scope 3 reductions. 2. Actual impacts vary by collection method, reprocessing facility, and market conditions. 3. Mixed Recycling factor is a general estimate and may not reflect local composition. 4. CO2 Impact Points should not be described as carbon offsets or tradable carbon units.
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