Recycling

Recycling is a key component of modern waste reduction. Through recycling waste product is processed into new useable product to prevent waste of useful materials, reduce the consumption of fresh raw materials, reduce energy usage, reduce air pollution (from incineration) and water pollution (from landfilling) by reducing the need for conventional waste disposal, and lower greenhouse gas emissions as compared to raw production.

Glass, paper, metal, plastic, textiles, and electronics are all recyclable. Materials to be recycled are either brought to a collection center or picked up from the curbside, then sorted, cleaned, and reprocessed into new materials bound for manufacturing.

There is running controversy surrounding recycling practices and processes. Investment created industry growth and jobs, reduced waste and emission levels, and increased reuse in producing different materials (e.g., paperboard from paper) instead. However, recycling costs and philosophy in action may exact a higher price under scrutiny by detractors who argue that the costs and energy used in collection and transportation detract from (and outweigh) the costs and energy saved in the production process; also that the jobs produced by the recycling industry can be a poor trade for the jobs lost in logging, mining, and other industries associated with virgin production; and that materials such as paper pulp can only be recycled a few times before material degradation prevents further recycling.