Diversion Study Guide, Appendix I

Conversion Factors: Metals

Please refer to Appendix H, "What Counts Toward Diversion," to determine if these items qualify.

Material/Item	Size/Amount	Study*	LB
Aluminum
Aluminum foil, loose	1 cubic yard	Tellus	48.1
Aluminum scrap, cubed	1 cubic yard	Tellus	424
Aluminum scrap, whole	1 cubic yard	Tellus	175
Aluminum cans, uncrushed	1 case = 24 cans	U.S. EPA	0.89
Aluminum cans, crushed	13 gallons	U.S. EPA corr.	7.02
Aluminum cans, crushed	33 gallons	U.S. EPA	17.82
Aluminum cans, crushed	39 gallons	U.S. EPA	31.06
Aluminum cans, crushed & uncrushed mix	1 cubic yard	Tellus	91.4
Aluminum cans, uncrushed	1 full grocery bag	U.S. EPA	1.5
Aluminum cans, uncrushed	13 gallons	U.S. EPA	2.21
Aluminum cans, uncrushed	33 gallons	U.S. EPA	5.61
Aluminum cans, uncrushed	39 gallons	U.S. EPA	6.63
Aluminum cans (whole)	1 cubic yard	U.S. EPA	65
Aluminum, chips	1 cubic foot	FEECO	7-15
Aluminum/tin Cans commingled uncrushed	33 gallon	USEPA	11.55
Ferrous Metals
Metal scrap	55 gallon	U.S. EPA	226.5
Metal scrap	cubic yard	U.S. EPA	906
Metal, car bumper	each	U.S. EPA	40
Paint can	5 gallon	U.S. EPA	2.21
Radiator, ferrous	each	U.S. EPA	20
Hanger (adult)	each	CalRecycle	0.14
Hanger (child)	each	CalRecycle	0.09
Tin can, ferrous	#2.5	U.S. EPA	0.13
Tin can, ferrous	#5	U.S. EPA	0.28
Tin can, ferrous	#10	U.S. EPA	0.77
Tin coated steel cans	1 cubic yard	U.S. EPA	850
Tin coated steel cans	1 case (6 #10 cans)	U.S. EPA	22
Tin, tuna can (3/4 of #10), ferrous	each	U.S. EPA	0.58
Tin, cat food can, ferrous	8 oz.	U.S. EPA	0.14
Tin, dog food can, large, ferrous	22 oz.	U.S. EPA	0.22
Tin, dog food can, ferrous	15.5 oz.	U.S. EPA	0.11
Tin, cast	1 cubic foot	FEECO	455
Cast iron chips or borings	1 cubic foot	FEECO	130-200
Iron cast ductile	1 cubic foot	FEECO	444
Iron, ore	1 cubic foot	FEECO	100-200
Iron, wrought	1 cubic foot	FEECO	480
Steel, shavings	1 cubic foot	FEECO	58-65
Steel, solid	1 cubic foot	FEECO	487
Steel, trimmings	1 cubic foot	FEECO	75-50
Brass, cast	1 cubic foot	FEECO	519
Brass, scrap	1 cubic yard	Tellus	906.43
Bronze,	1 cubic foot	FEECO	552
Copper fittings, loose	1 cubic yard	Tellus	1,047.62
Copper pipe, whole	1 cubic yard	Tellus	210.94
Copper, cast	1 cubic foot	FEECO	542
Copper, ore	1 cubic foot	FEECO	120-150
Copper, scrap	1 cubic yard	Tellus	1,093.52
Copper, wire, whole	1 cubic yard	Tellus	337.5
Chrome ore (chromite)	1 cubic foot	FEECO	125-140
Lead, commercial	1 cubic foot	FEECO	710
Lead, ores	1 cubic foot	FEECO	200-270
Lead, scrap	1 cubic yard	Tellus	1,603.84
Nickel, ore	1 cubic foot	FEECO	150
Nickel, rolled	1 cubic foot	FEECO	541

*Source acronyms used

• CalRecycle: California Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery
• FEECO:  FEECO Incorporated
• Tellus:  Tellus Institute, Boston Massachusetts
• U.S. EPA:  United States Environmental Protection Agency (Business Users Guide)

Other conversion factor tables

Construction and Demolition | Glass, plastic, paper, and cardboard | Organics | Office Furniture

Appendix I | Table of Contents