recycling
Recycling is the process of collecting and processing materials that would otherwise be thrown away as trash and turning them into new products. It is a fundamental practice in environmental conservation aimed at reducing waste and the consumption of raw materials.
Examples
3 of 5Make sure you rinse the milk cartons before putting them in the recycling.
Ensure you clean the containers before placing them in the waste processing bin.
The municipal council has allocated additional funding to enhance local recycling initiatives.
The city government has provided more money to improve local waste processing programs.
I've started recycling more because my regular bin was always overflowing.
I began sorting my trash more often because my trash can was getting too full.
Synonyms
Word Family
Memory Tip
Focus on the prefix 're-' (meaning again) and the word 'cycle'. Imagine the trash moving in a circle—coming back as a new product instead of reaching a dead end in a landfill.
Quick Quiz
The local government has introduced a new ______ scheme to reduce the amount of waste sent to landfills.
Correct!
The correct answer is: recycling
Examples
Make sure you rinse the milk cartons before putting them in the recycling.
everydayEnsure you clean the containers before placing them in the waste processing bin.
The municipal council has allocated additional funding to enhance local recycling initiatives.
formalThe city government has provided more money to improve local waste processing programs.
I've started recycling more because my regular bin was always overflowing.
informalI began sorting my trash more often because my trash can was getting too full.
Quantitative analysis suggests that recycling significantly mitigates the environmental impact of industrial manufacturing.
academicStatistical research shows that processing waste materials helps reduce the damage factories do to nature.
Our corporate social responsibility report highlights our commitment to 100% recycling of office paper.
businessThe company's social impact report explains our promise to process all paper used in the office.
Synonyms
Word Family
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
reduce, reuse, recycle
the three-step hierarchy of waste management
curbside recycling
the collection of recyclable waste from the street in front of homes
recycling plant
a large-scale factory where waste is converted into raw materials
Often Confused With
Upcycling involves creating a product of higher value from waste, while recycling breaks materials down to their raw state.
Reusing involves using an item again in its original form, whereas recycling involves industrial processing to create something new.
Usage Notes
Recycling is typically used as an uncountable noun when referring to the activity or the system. It can also be used as a noun adjunct (a noun acting like an adjective) in phrases like 'recycling bin' or 'recycling center'.
Common Mistakes
Learners often use the verb 'recycle' where the noun 'recycling' is required, or they pluralize it as 'recyclings', which is incorrect. Use 'recyclables' when referring to the materials themselves.
Memory Tip
Focus on the prefix 're-' (meaning again) and the word 'cycle'. Imagine the trash moving in a circle—coming back as a new product instead of reaching a dead end in a landfill.
Word Origin
Originating in the mid-20th century, it combines the prefix 're-' (again) with 'cycle' (from the Greek 'kyklos' meaning circle or wheel).
Grammar Patterns
Cultural Context
In many developed nations, recycling is viewed as a significant civic responsibility, and many cities have strict systems for sorting paper, plastic, and glass.
Quick Quiz
The local government has introduced a new ______ scheme to reduce the amount of waste sent to landfills.
Correct!
The correct answer is: recycling
Related Grammar Rules
Related Vocabulary
Sustainability is the quality of being able to continue over...
pollutionPollution refers to the introduction of harmful materials in...
landfillTo dispose of waste material by burying it in a large, speci...
conservationThe careful preservation and protection of natural resources...
biodegradableDescribes a substance or object that is capable of being dec...
ecosystemA biological community of interacting organisms and their ph...
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