Energy & Sustainability worked example
Recycled Content Rate at 40% recycled content target: a worked example
This scenario runs the recycled content rate calculation on the strong side: 40% recycled content target, with every other input held at its documented default. a procurement or sustainability lead needs recycled content percentage against a target
The inputs for this scenario
- Recycled material input: 42,000 lb (unchanged)
- Total material input: 100,000 lb (unchanged)
- Recycled content target: 40 % (raised for this scenario; the documented default is 35)
Working through the calculation
- Applying the documented formula (Recycled content rate = recycled material input ÷ total material input × 100) to the inputs above produces each figure below.
- At this operating point the engine returns 42 % for recycled content rate, the number this scenario is built around.
- At this operating point the engine returns -2 points for gap to recycled content target.
- At this operating point the engine returns 42,000 lb for recycled material input.
- At this operating point the engine returns 100,000 lb for total material input.
How this compares with the baseline
- Against the tool's baseline example, where recycled content target sits at 35% and the headline result is 42 %, this scenario lands almost exactly on the baseline at 42 %.
- Use it when validating a recycled-content claim, formulating a material blend to hit a spec, or reporting against a regulatory minimum. Treat this as a target state: the delta against the baseline quantifies what the improvement is worth before you commit to chasing it.
Results at a glance
- Recycled content rate: 42 % (headline result)
- Gap to recycled content target: -2 points
- Recycled material input: 42,000 lb
- Total material input: 100,000 lb
Run it with your numbers
- Every input above is editable in the live Recycled Content Rate calculator, which recalculates instantly and can be shared with the inputs intact.
Last reviewed 2026-05-12.