# recycling

/ɹiˈsaɪkəɫɪŋ/ (US) · /ɹɪsˈaɪklɪŋ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/recycling
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. the process

noun · CEFR A2

the activity of sorting and collecting waste like paper, glass, and plastic to make new things.

For teachers: the industrial or domestic process of treating waste materials for reuse in manufacturing.

- Our city has a great system for recycling plastic bottles and old newspapers.
- The local government invested in advanced sorting technology to improve the efficiency of the city's recycling programme.

Usage: Often used as an uncountable noun when referring to the general practice.

### 2. the materials

noun · CEFR B1

the items that you have collected to be recycled.

For teachers: the physical materials or waste products that have been separated for the purpose of being recycled.

- Don't forget to take the recycling out to the bin on Tuesday morning.
- The facility rejected the entire load because the recycling was contaminated with non-recyclable food waste.

Usage: Commonly used with the definite article 'the' to refer to a specific batch of items.

## Examples

- Please put your empty plastic bottles in the recycling.
- The city improved its recycling program by providing every household with a separate bin for paper and cardboard.
- While industrial recycling significantly reduces the demand for raw materials, the energy required for processing certain plastics remains a subject of environmental debate.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.