Recycling | Definition, Processes, & Facts (2024)

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Also known as: materials salvage, reprocessing

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recycling

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water purification
thermal-heat recovery
scrap metal
external recycling
internal recycling

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recycling, recovery and reprocessing of waste materials for use in new products. The basic phases in recycling are the collection of waste materials, their processing or manufacture into new products, and the purchase of those products, which may then themselves be recycled. Typical materials that are recycled include iron and steel scrap, aluminum cans, glass bottles, paper, wood, and plastics. The materials reused in recycling serve as substitutes for raw materials obtained from such increasingly scarce natural resources as petroleum, natural gas, coal, mineral ores, and trees. Recycling can help reduce the quantities of solid waste deposited in landfills, which have become increasingly expensive. Recycling also reduces the pollution of air, water, and land resulting from waste disposal.

There are two broad types of recycling operations: internal and external. Internal recycling is the reuse in a manufacturing process of materials that are a waste product of that process. Internal recycling is common in the metals industry, for example. The manufacture of copper tubing results in a certain amount of waste in the form of tube ends and trimmings; this material is remelted and recast. Another form of internal recycling is seen in the distilling industry, in which, after the distillation, spent grain mash is dried and processed into an edible foodstuff for cattle.

External recycling is the reclaiming of materials from a product that has been worn out or rendered obsolete. An example of external recycling is the collection of old newspapers and magazines for repulping and their manufacture into new paper products. Aluminum cans and glass bottles are other examples of everyday objects that are externally recycled on a wide scale. These materials can be collected by any of three main methods: buy-back centres, which purchase waste materials that have been sorted and brought in by consumers; drop-off centres, where consumers can deposit waste materials but are not paid for them; and curbside collection, in which homes and businesses sort their waste materials and deposit them by the curb for collection by a central agency.

Society’s choice of whether and how much to recycle depends basically on economic factors. Conditions of affluence and the presence of cheap raw materials encourage human beings’ tendency to simply discard used materials. Recycling becomes economically attractive when the cost of reprocessing waste or recycled material is less than the cost of treating and disposing of the materials or of processing new raw materials.

Recycling | Definition, Processes, & Facts (2024)

FAQs

Recycling | Definition, Processes, & Facts? ›

Recycling is the process of collecting and processing materials that would otherwise be thrown away as trash and turning them into new products. Recycling can benefit your community, the economy, and the environment. Products should only be recycled if they cannot be reduced or reused.

What are the main processes of recycling? ›

The basic phases in recycling are the collection of waste materials, their processing or manufacture into new products, and the purchase of those products, which may then themselves be recycled. Typical materials that are recycled include iron and steel scrap, aluminum cans, glass bottles, paper, wood, and plastics.

What are the 5 steps in recycling describe each step? ›

How to Apply the 5 R's
  • STEP ONE: REFUSe. Refuse: the first element of the 5 R's hierarchy. ...
  • STEP TWO: REDUCE. Reduce the use of harmful, wasteful, and non-recyclable products. ...
  • STEP THREE: REUSE. ...
  • STEP FOUR: REPURPOSE. ...
  • sTEP FIVE: RECYCLE.

What are the 6 phases of recycling? ›

Here are the six steps of the new plastic recycling process.
  • Step 1: Collection. The first step involves collecting used plastic materials from homes and institutions. ...
  • Step 2: Sorting. ...
  • Step 3: Washing. ...
  • Step 4: Shredding. ...
  • Step 5: Identification of Plastics. ...
  • Step 6: Compounding.
Jul 9, 2022

What are the 5 principles of recycling? ›

Five actions should respectively be taken if possible before recycling any products. These R's include: refuse, reduce, reuse, repurpose and finally, recycle.

What are the three main points of recycling? ›

While the recycling process often differs by commodity and locality, there are essentially three main steps: collection, processing, and remanufacturing into a new product.

How does recycling work step by step? ›

Recycling is the process of collecting, sorting, cleaning, treating, restoring, and then converting materials that would otherwise become solid waste, into raw material for new, reused, or restored products. For instance, we can collect our old newspapers and remake them into new newspaper!

Which cannot be recycled? ›

Non-recyclable items
  • Garbage.
  • Food waste.
  • Food-tainted items (such as: used paper plates or boxes, paper towels, or paper napkins)
  • Ceramics and kitchenware.
  • Windows and mirrors.
  • Plastic wrap.
  • Packing peanuts and bubble wrap.
  • Wax boxes.

What is the recycling process cycle? ›

The first step is collection. Materials are taken from the curbside or drop-off center. The second step is processing and marketing of recycled materials. Materials are sorted and then sold.

What are the 4 principles of recycling? ›

Hint: The 4R principle refers to Reduce, Reuse, Recycle and Recover. These 4 processes refer to the process to be followed by us to ensure nature continues to be sustainable and life on earth continues to thrive.

What are the 4 sentences about recycling? ›

Recycling saves the planet by protecting the natural resources of the environment. It helps to reduce air, water and land pollution. Recycling leads to a significant reduction in greenhouse emissions and global warming. It helps to keep the surroundings neat.

Is there a better option than recycling? ›

Reuse has several advantages over recycling: saves or delays purchasing and disposal costs. conserves resources. reduces the waste stream.

What are the 7 R's of recycling? ›

What are the 7 R's of Waste Management?
  • Rethink. Become a more conscious consumer. ...
  • Refuse. Say “no” to products you don't need or won't use. ...
  • Reduce. Lower the amount you buy & how often you buy. ...
  • Reuse. Upcycle items you would typically throw away. ...
  • Repair. ...
  • Regift. ...
  • Recycle.
May 5, 2022

What are the 3 key principles of recycling? ›

Waste minimization can be achieved in an efficient way by focusing primarily on the first of the 3Rs, "reduce," followed by "reuse" and then "recycle."

Which plastic cannot be recycled? ›

Plastics #3, #6 and #7

Plastics displaying resin codes #3, #6, and #7 should be disposed of in the trash. They are not recyclable because they are low-value plastic resins.

What are 5 reasons to recycle? ›

Five Benefits of Recycling
  • Recycling reduces waste sent to landfills and incinerators.
  • Recycling prevents pollution.
  • Recycling conserves natural resources.
  • Recycling conserves energy.
  • Recycling creates jobs, producing economic benefits.
Jan 14, 2020

What is recycling in 5 sentences? ›

Recycling is the process of converting waste materials into new materials and objects. This concept often includes the recovery of energy from waste materials. The recyclability of a material depends on its ability to reacquire the properties it had in its original state.

What does 5 recycling mean? ›

Number 5 Plastics: PP (polypropylene)

ice scrapers, landscape borders, bicycle racks, rakes, bins, pallets, trays, and more. Polypropylene has a high melting point, so it is often chosen for containers that must accept hot liquid. It is gradually becoming more accepted by recycling programs.

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