Waste Compaction Ratio Calculator

Work out waste compaction ratio instantly with clear inputs, formula shown and shareable results.

About Waste Compaction Ratio Calculator

Compaction ratio is loose volume divided by compacted volume, typically 3:1 to 5:1 for a rear-loading compactor on household waste. Compacted density is what determines whether a vehicle reaches its weight limit before filling its body, and hence how efficiently the round runs.

Formulas

Compaction ratio

Ratio = loose volume / compacted volume

Payload

Payload (t) = body volume x compacted density / 1000

Worked example

With the default values below, Waste Compaction Ratio Calculator returns Compaction Ratio of 4.0000. Change any input above and every figure here is recalculated in your browser.

Inputs used

Loose Waste Volumeminimum 0 m3: 20 m3
Compacted Volumeminimum 0 m3: 5 m3
Waste Massminimum 0 tonnes: 3 tonnes
Vehicle Body Volumeminimum 0 m3: 20 m3

Results

Compaction Ratio: 4.0000
Compacted Density: 600.00
Loose Density: 150.00
Achievable Vehicle Payload: 12.000

Step by step

1Values used
2Compaction ratio
3Payload
4Compaction Ratio= 4.0000
5Compacted Density= 600.00
6Loose Density= 150.00
7Achievable Vehicle Payload= 12.000

Assumptions and limits

The result is derived only from the 4 inputs listed above. Anything not among them is not part of the calculation.
In particular, this calculator does not take inflation, tax, fees or charges or compounding frequency into account.
Figures are rounded for display to 4 decimal places, so totals built from several rounded parts can differ slightly from the unrounded arithmetic.

How these calculators are built and tested is described on the Methodology page. If a figure looks wrong, please report it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can waste be over-compacted?

Yes. Excessive compaction squeezes out leachate, makes discharge difficult, damages the body and can compromise recyclate quality by embedding contaminants and breaking glass into other streams.

Why does compaction matter for transfer haulage?

Bulk haulage to a distant landfill is weight limited, so higher compaction in transfer trailers directly reduces the number of journeys and the cost per tonne.