California Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle)

Diversion Study Guide, Appendix I

Conversion Factors: Organics

Material/Item Size/Amount Study* LB
Yard trimmings, mixed 1 cubic yard USEPA 108
Yard trimmings, mixed 40 cubic yards U.S. EPA 4,320
Grass 33 gallons U.S. EPA 25
Grass 3 cubic yards U.S. EPA 840
Grass & leaves 3 cubic yards U.S. EPA 325
Large limbs & stumps 1 cubic yard Tellus 1,080
Leaves, dry 1 cubic yard Tellus 343.7
Leaves 33 gallons U.S. EPA 12
Leaves 3 cubic yards U.S. EPA 200–250
Pine needles, loose 1 cubic yard Tellus 74.42
Prunings, dry 1 cubic yard Tellus 36.9
Prunings, green 1 cubic yard Tellus 46.69
Prunings, shredded 1 cubic yard Tellus 527

Other Organics
Hay, baled 1 cubic foot FEECO 24
Hay, loose 1 cubic foot FEECO 5
Straw, baled 1 cubic foot FEECO 24
Straw, loose 1 cubic foot FEECO 3
Compost 1 cubic foot FEECO 30–50
Compost, loose 1 cubic yard Tellus 463.39

Food
Bread, bulk 1 cubic foot FEECO 18
Fat 1 cubic foot FEECO 57
Fats, solid/liquid (cooking oil) 1 gallon U.S. EPA 7.45
Fats, solid/liquid (cooking oil) 55 gallon drum U.S. EPA 410
Fish, scrap 1 cubic foot FEECO 40–50
Meat, ground 1 cubic foot FEECO 50–55
Oil, olive 1 cubic foot FEECO 57.1
Oyster shells, whole 1 cubic foot FEECO 75–80
Produce waste, mixed, loose 1 cubic yard Tellus 1,443

Manure
Manure 1 cubic foot FEECO 25
Manure, cattle 1 cubic yard Tellus 1,628
Manure, dried poultry 1 cubic foot FEECO 41.2
Manure, dried sheep & cattle 1 cubic foot FEECO 24.3
Manure, horse 1 cubic yard Tellus 1,252

Wood
Cork, dry 1 cubic foot FEECO 15
Pallet, wood or plastic average 48" x 48" U.S. EPA 40
Particle board, loose 1 cubic yard Tellus 425.14
Plywood, sheet 2' x 4' 1 cubic yard Tellus 776.3
Roofing/shake shingle, bundle 1 cubic yard Tellus 435.3
Sawdust, loose 1 cubic yard Tellus 375
Shavings, loose 1 cubic yard Tellus 440
Wood chips, shredded 1 cubic yard U.S. EPA 500
Wood scrap, loose 1 cubic yard Tellus 329.5
Wood, bark, refuse 1 cubic foot FEECO 30
Wood, pulp, moist 1 cubic foot FEECO 45–65
Wood, shavings 1 cubic foot FEECO 15

Miscellaneous

Toner cartridge   U.S. EPA 2.5

Rubber
Tire, bus   U.S. EPA 75
Tire, car   U.S. EPA 20
Tire, truck   U.S. EPA 60–100
Rubber, car bumper   U.S. EPA 15
Rubber, manufactured 1 cubic foot FEECO 95
Rubber, pelletized 1 cubic foot FEECO 50–55

Textiles
Clothing, used, mixed cubic yard Tellus 225
Fabric, canvas square yard U.S. EPA 1
Leather, dry 1 cubic foot FEECO 54
Leather, scrap, semi-compacted 1 cubic yard Tellus 303
Rope 1 cubic foot FEECO 42
String yard U.S. EPA 1 gram
Used clothing, mixed, loose 1 cubic yard Tellus 225
Used clothing, compacted 1 cubic yard Tellus 540
Wool 1 cubic foot FEECO 15–30
Carpet & padding, loose 1 cubic yard Tellus 84.4

*Source acronyms used

  • CIWMB:  California Integrated Waste Management Board
  • 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 | Metals | Office Furniture

Appendix I | Table of Contents