What is waste diversion rate?

The waste diversion rate expresses what fraction of material removed during demolition gets diverted from landfill through recycling, reuse, or energy recovery. For a demolition project, contractors calculate this as a percentage: total diverted tonnage divided by total waste tonnage, then multiplied by 100. Materials commonly diverted include concrete, steel, wood, brick, and drywall, which can be crushed for aggregate, sold to scrap yards, donated to salvage operations, or processed into new products.

Demolition contractors track this metric for several reasons. Ontario municipalities and waste management authorities increasingly include diversion targets in project requirements and tender specifications. A contractor's diversion rate becomes part of their track record and environmental profile when bidding on public or large commercial projects. Higher rates also reduce tipping fees at landfill facilities, lowering overall project costs. Beyond economics, waste diversion aligns with provincial waste reduction frameworks and demonstrates responsible site management to property owners and regulators.

The rate varies by project type and site conditions. Selective deconstruction of older buildings typically achieves higher diversion rates than wholesale demolition, since careful material separation and salvage take more time and planning. Urban sites with proximity to processors and salvage operations may report better rates than rural locations with limited local markets for recovered materials.