--- title: How do I estimate the volume of debris I have collected? description: How do I estimate the volume of debris I have collected? --- [Skip to content](https://take-action.tangaroablue.org/knowledge-base/how-do-i-estimate-the-volume-of-debris-i-have-collected#main-content) ![TBF AMDI Logo Pair white](https://take-action.tangaroablue.org/hs-fs/hubfs/TBF%20AMDI%20Logo%20Pair%20white.png?width=400&height=160&name=TBF%20AMDI%20Logo%20Pair%20white.png) - [Events](https://www.tangaroablue.org/events) - [Volunteer](https://tangaroablue.org/volunteer/) Open main navigation Close main navigation - [Events](https://www.tangaroablue.org/events) - [Volunteer](https://tangaroablue.org/volunteer/) - [Contact us](mailto:contact@tangaroablue.org) [Contact us](mailto:contact@tangaroablue.org) How can we help you? - There are no suggestions because the search field is empty. 1. [Marine Debris Knowledge Base](https://take-action.tangaroablue.org/knowledge-base?hsLang=en-au) 2. [Data and Monitoring (AMDI)](https://take-action.tangaroablue.org/knowledge-base/data-and-monitoring-amdi?hsLang=en-au) 3. [Methodology](https://take-action.tangaroablue.org/knowledge-base/data-and-monitoring-amdi?hsLang=en-au#methodology) 29 January 2026 # How do I estimate the volume of debris I have collected? ## Estimating volumes can be difficult, but this rough guide should help! - For smaller volumes of debris, try to visualise it inside a 1 or 2 litre milk bottle. - For slightly larger volumes, a standard household plastic bucket is approximately 9 litres. - A Tangaroa Blue Foundation hessian bag is 56 litres when tied up. - An Australian household curb-side wheelie bin is typically 120 litres. - A large chemical or oil drum is approximately 200 litres. - The volume of a standard single-cab Hilux Ute tray is approximately 4,500 litres. If you can imagine how much space your debris would take up inside of one of those items (or it is one of those items!), you'll be well on the way to a sensible volume estimate. ![AMDI Estimating Volume Poster V1 2026](https://take-action.tangaroablue.org/hs-fs/hubfs/AMDI%20Estimating%20Volume%20Poster%20V1%202026.png?width=670&height=352&name=AMDI%20Estimating%20Volume%20Poster%20V1%202026.png)   - [About Tangaroa Blue](https://take-action.tangaroablue.org/knowledge-base/about-tangaroa-blue?hsLang=en-au#main-content) - [Who We Are](https://take-action.tangaroablue.org/knowledge-base/about-tangaroa-blue?hsLang=en-au#who-we-are) - [What We Do](https://take-action.tangaroablue.org/knowledge-base/about-tangaroa-blue?hsLang=en-au#what-we-do) - [Guidelines and Resources](https://take-action.tangaroablue.org/knowledge-base/about-tangaroa-blue?hsLang=en-au#guidelines-and-resources) - [The Issue - Marine Debris](https://take-action.tangaroablue.org/knowledge-base/about-tangaroa-blue?hsLang=en-au#the-issue-marine-debris) - [Volunteering & Clean-ups](https://take-action.tangaroablue.org/knowledge-base/volunteering-clean-ups?hsLang=en-au#main-content) - [Volunteering](https://take-action.tangaroablue.org/knowledge-base/volunteering-clean-ups?hsLang=en-au#volunteering) - [Events](https://take-action.tangaroablue.org/knowledge-base/volunteering-clean-ups?hsLang=en-au#events) - [Schools, Community and Corporate Events](https://take-action.tangaroablue.org/knowledge-base/volunteering-clean-ups?hsLang=en-au#schools-community-and-corporate-events) - [The WA Beach Clean-up](https://take-action.tangaroablue.org/knowledge-base/volunteering-clean-ups?hsLang=en-au#the-wa-beach-clean-up) - [The Great Barrier Reef Clean-up](https://take-action.tangaroablue.org/knowledge-base/volunteering-clean-ups?hsLang=en-au#the-great-barrier-reef-clean-up) - [Clean-up Tips & Safety Information](https://take-action.tangaroablue.org/knowledge-base/volunteering-clean-ups?hsLang=en-au#clean-up-tips-safety-information) - [Data and Monitoring (AMDI)](https://take-action.tangaroablue.org/knowledge-base/data-and-monitoring-amdi?hsLang=en-au#main-content) - [About AMDI](https://take-action.tangaroablue.org/knowledge-base/data-and-monitoring-amdi?hsLang=en-au#about-amdi) - [Methodology](https://take-action.tangaroablue.org/knowledge-base/data-and-monitoring-amdi?hsLang=en-au#methodology) - [Requesting Data](https://take-action.tangaroablue.org/knowledge-base/data-and-monitoring-amdi?hsLang=en-au#requesting-data) - [Troubleshooting](https://take-action.tangaroablue.org/knowledge-base/data-and-monitoring-amdi?hsLang=en-au#troubleshooting) - [Programs & Initiatives](https://take-action.tangaroablue.org/knowledge-base/programs-initiatives?hsLang=en-au#main-content) - [Rig Recycle](https://take-action.tangaroablue.org/knowledge-base/programs-initiatives?hsLang=en-au#rig-recycle) - [Project ReCon](https://take-action.tangaroablue.org/knowledge-base/programs-initiatives?hsLang=en-au#project-recon) - [ReefClean](https://take-action.tangaroablue.org/knowledge-base/programs-initiatives?hsLang=en-au#reefclean) - [FAD Watch](https://take-action.tangaroablue.org/knowledge-base/programs-initiatives?hsLang=en-au#fad-watch) - [Operation Clean Sweep](https://take-action.tangaroablue.org/knowledge-base/programs-initiatives?hsLang=en-au#operation-clean-sweep) - [IOT Esky Library Initiative](https://take-action.tangaroablue.org/knowledge-base/programs-initiatives?hsLang=en-au#iot-esky-library-initiative) - [Donations, Shop & Support](https://take-action.tangaroablue.org/knowledge-base/donations-shop-support?hsLang=en-au#main-content) - [Donate](https://take-action.tangaroablue.org/knowledge-base/donations-shop-support?hsLang=en-au#donate) - [Sea Store](https://take-action.tangaroablue.org/knowledge-base/donations-shop-support?hsLang=en-au#sea-store) - [Source Reduction Plans](https://take-action.tangaroablue.org/knowledge-base/source-reduction-plans?hsLang=en-au) [![TBF AMDI Logo Pair](https://take-action.tangaroablue.org/hs-fs/hubfs/TBF%20AMDI%20Logo%20Pair.png?width=500&height=200&name=TBF%20AMDI%20Logo%20Pair.png "TBF AMDI Logo Pair")](https://take-action.tangaroablue.org/?hsLang=en-au) [mailto:contact@tangaroablue.org](mailto:contact@tangaroablue.org) Copyright © 2025, Tangaroa Blue Foundation