Save Money By Improving Your Business’ Waste Diversion Rate
- Eagle Transfer Services
- Aug 20
- 4 min read
Maryland's current food residuals law impacts a wide range of businesses, including schools, supermarkets, and food courts. Companies generating just 1-2 tons of food waste weekly must divert that waste from landfills if they're within 30 miles of a composting facility.
The penalty for non-compliance? Potentially steep fines and regulatory headaches.
But smart business owners see opportunity here. Companies that lower their waste diversion rate often slash disposal costs by 30-40% while staying ahead of regulations. With landfill tipping fees rising each year, every improvement adds up fast.
The first step is scheduling a waste assessment. Reach out to the team at Eagle Transfer to get started.
What Is Waste Diversion Rate?
Your waste diversion rate shows what percentage of your total waste is diverted from the landfill through recycling, composting, or reuse.
How to calculate waste diversion rate:
Weight of diverted waste ÷ Total waste generated × 100 = Diversion rate percentage
Example: Generate 10 tons monthly, recycle/compost 4 tons = 40% diversion rate
What counts as diverted waste:
Cardboard, plastics, and metals sent for recycling
Food scraps sent to composting facilities
Organic waste for anaerobic digestion
Materials reused on-site or sold to other businesses (i.e., pallets)
The national average sits around 32%, but many facilities achieve 60-80% with the right approach.
Why Maryland Businesses Need A Waste Reduction Plan
Maryland takes waste reduction seriously. In 2024, the state passed increasingly strict requirements:
Current law:
Businesses generating 1+ tons of food waste weekly must divert from landfills
Only applies if a composting facility exists within 30 miles
Requires annual reporting to state regulators
For more information, view the Maryland Department of the Environment’s (MDE) Compliance Guide for Regulations.
What's coming:
The 2025 legislative session proposed $2/ton disposal surcharge
Additional funding for waste diversion programs
Likely expansion to more waste types beyond food
Getting ahead of these changes now means:
Locking in better rates with waste haulers, like ETS
Avoiding rushed implementation later
Building relationships with processing facilities before demand spikes
Real Money: The Cost Benefits of Higher Diversion
Direct cost reductions:
Lower landfill disposal fees (immediate savings)
Reduced pickup frequency for trash service
Smaller dumpster sizes needed
ETS offers a variety of dumpster sizes, including smaller sizes, that will meet your needs.
Revenue opportunities:
Clean cardboard: $50-100 per ton
Aluminum cans: $1,000+ per ton
High-grade office paper: $30-80 per ton
Scrap metal varies by type and market conditions
Operational improvements:
Less time spent managing overflowing dumpsters
Cleaner facilities with better-organized waste areas
Reduced pest issues from organic waste
Hidden savings:
Lower workers' comp claims from easier waste handling
Reduced facility cleaning costs
Energy savings from on-site material reuse
How to Calculate Your Current Rate
Before improving anything, you need baseline numbers. Here's the step-by-step process:
Week 1: Track everything
Weigh or estimate all waste leaving your facility
Separate categories: recyclables, organics, trash
Document pickup frequencies and container sizes
Note contamination issues in recycling streams
Week 2: Analyze the data
Add the total weights for each category
Calculate: (recyclables + organics) ÷ total waste × 100
Identify your largest waste streams
Spot obvious improvement opportunities
Set realistic targets:
New programs: Aim for 50% diversion in the first year
Existing programs: Target 10-15% annual improvements
Focus on your heaviest waste streams first
From Space Limits to Single-Stream Recycling: Simple Fixes to Common Waste Issues
"We don't have space for more containers."
Use stackable recycling bins
Implement compactors for cardboard
Schedule more frequent pickups for recyclables
"Employees keep contaminating recycling."
Post clear photos of acceptable items at each bin
Start with just one material type (cardboard only)
Provide quick training during shift changes
"There’s no composting facility nearby."
Check with your waste hauler for food waste programs
Consider on-site composting for landscaping waste
Partner with local farms for food scraps
"Startup costs seem high."
Most programs break even within 12-18 months
Start small with the highest-value materials first
Many waste haulers provide containers at no charge
"We don't know what we're actually throwing away."
Schedule a waste assessment (Many haulers offer this for free.)
Have managers observe waste disposal for one week
Check dumpsters before pickup to see what's inside
Getting Started: Your 90-Day Action Plan
Days 1-30: Assessment
Contact ETS or your current waste hauler about diversion options
Walk through your facility and identify waste generation points
Talk to employees about current disposal habits
Research local recycling and composting facilities
Days 31-60: Planning
Get quotes for additional recycling services
Design container placement and signage
Create simple training materials for staff
Set specific, measurable goals
Days 61-90: Implementation
Install new containers and signage
Train all employees on new procedures
Monitor contamination and adjust as needed
Track weights and calculate the initial diversion rate
How ETS Makes This Easier
Eagle Transfer Services handles waste diversion projects across Maryland, from small restaurants to large manufacturing facilities. We've seen what works and what doesn't.
Benefits we provide:
Free waste assessments to identify your best opportunities
Connections with regional recycling, anaerobic digestion, and composting facilities
Custom container solutions that fit your space
Staff training that sticks
Regular monitoring to keep programs on track
Our process:
Site visit and waste analysis - We spend time understanding your specific situation
Custom solution design - One size doesn't fit all; we tailor programs to your needs
Implementation support - We handle setup, training, and initial monitoring
Ongoing optimization - Monthly check-ins and adjustments as needed
Recent results:
As part of a green initiative by their corporate office, one customer recently installed single-stream recycling receptacles in their break room and office space. This was an easy win for both the company’s waste diversion program and employee satisfaction.Â
Ready to Cut Your Waste Costs?
Improving your waste diversion rate isn't rocket science, but it does require planning and follow-through. The businesses that succeed are the ones that treat it like any other operational improvement project.
Whether you're facing regulatory pressure or just want to reduce operating costs, the math works. Higher diversion rates mean lower disposal fees, potential revenue from recyclables, and often improved operational efficiency.
Next steps:
Schedule a waste assessment to see where you stand
Get quotes for expanding recycling services
Start with your highest-volume waste streams
Let Eagle Transfer Services provide a straightforward assessment of your waste diversion opportunities. We'll show you what's possible and help you build a plan that makes financial sense.