The act of processing used or abandoned materials for use in creating new products.
Processing of industrial and household waste (such as paper, glass, and some metals and plastics) so that the materials can be reused. This saves expenditure on scarce raw materials, slows down the depletion of nonrenewable resources, and helps to reduce pollution.
The US recycles only around 13% of its waste, compared to around 33% in Japan. However, all US states encourage or require local recycling programs to be set up. It was estimated 1992 that 4,000 cities collected waste from 71 million people for recycling. Most of these programs were set up in 1989–92. Around 33% of newspapers, 22% of office paper, 64% of aluminum cans, 3% of plastic containers, and 20% of all glass bottles and jars were recycled.
Aluminum is frequently recycled because of its value and special properties that allow it to be melted down and re-pressed without loss of quality, unlike paper and glass, which deteriorate when recycled.
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