Recycling is a process to convert waste materials into new products to prevent waste of potentially useful materials. Recycling reduces the consumption of fresh raw materials, reduces energy usage, reduces air pollution from incineration and water pollution from landfills by reducing the need for conventional waste disposal. A lower amount of plastic production and effective recycling leads to lower greenhouse gases. Recycling is a key component of modern waste reduction and is a key component of the “Reduce, Reuse and Recycle” waste hierarchy.

Materials that can be recycled are varied; glass, paper, metal, plastics, textiles and electronics are just some of the most common. Composting is the recycling and reusing of biodegradable food and garden waste. Materials that are to be recycled are either brought to a collection centre or picked up from the curbside to be sorted, cleaned and reprocessed into new materials for manufacturing.