Calculate recovered metal output from feedstock weight and an entered recycling recovery percentage, including unrecovered processing loss.
Metal recycling yield is the amount of recovered output obtained from a given quantity of feedstock. It is commonly expressed as a percentage of the input material.
This calculator works in the opposite direction: you provide the feedstock weight and expected recovery percentage, and it estimates the recovered output.
For example, 1,000 kg of feedstock at a 92% recovery rate produces an estimated 920 kg of recovered output and 80 kg of unrecovered material.
Yield can be affected by contamination, separation efficiency, material preparation, particle size, equipment performance and the type of feedstock being processed.
Actual yield should ideally be calculated from measured input and recovered output rather than relying only on a target or assumed percentage.
The terms yield and recovery rate are often used for closely related material-balance calculations. In this tool, the recovery percentage directly represents the fraction of feedstock that becomes recovered output.
For mixed waste streams where the feedstock contains significant non-metal material, a more detailed metal-content model may be necessary. That is why this simple calculator is different from a mixed-waste metal recovery model.
A recycler processes 2,500 kg of metal feedstock and expects an 88% recovery rate.
The resulting yield is 88% because 2,200 kg of the 2,500 kg input is recovered.
The optional value field estimates the gross value represented by the recovered output.
This is a gross material-value estimate. It does not represent recycling profit because collection, sorting, processing, labor, transportation, energy and disposal costs are not deducted.
Higher recovery can increase the amount of material obtained from the same feedstock quantity. Over many batches, even a small change in recovery percentage can produce a significant difference in recovered output.
Tracking yield also helps identify process changes that reduce material losses and improve resource utilization.
Possible improvement areas include better feedstock segregation, contamination control, improved equipment settings, material preparation, separation efficiency and consistent process monitoring.
The appropriate improvement method depends on the metal, feedstock characteristics and recycling technology being used.
Using recovery on the wrong basis: Make sure the recovery percentage refers to the entire feedstock quantity being entered.
Mixing units: Feedstock and recovered output must use the same unit.
Confusing metal content with yield: A feedstock may contain only part metal, while yield measures the recovered output against the defined input basis.
Assuming yield equals profit: A higher material yield does not automatically mean higher profit because processing costs also matter.
Ignoring contamination: Recovered output may require further processing or quality separation before it reaches its intended value.
This calculator provides a simple material-balance estimate based on feedstock weight and the recovery percentage entered by the user.
It does not independently measure material composition, verify recycling equipment performance or determine whether recovered output meets a particular commercial specification.
How is metal recycling yield calculated?
Recovered output is divided by feedstock input and multiplied by 100.
How do I calculate recovered metal from feedstock?
Multiply the feedstock weight by the recovery percentage expressed as a decimal.
What is processing loss?
It is the portion of the entered feedstock that is not recovered as output under the assumed yield.
Is recycling yield the same as recovery rate?
They can represent the same ratio in a simple input-output material balance, although terminology varies by process.
Can this be used for scrap metal?
Yes. Enter the scrap feedstock weight and its expected or measured recovery percentage.
Does this calculate recycling profit?
No. It estimates recovered output and gross recovered material value only.