recycling
Recycling (noun) means the process of collecting and reprocessing waste materials for reuse. Example: “The city expanded its recycling program to include electronics.”
noun
1
The process of collecting and reprocessing waste materials for reuse.
"The city expanded its recycling program to include electronics."
"Our school runs a recycling scheme that turns old paper into new notebooks."
"Recycling cuts down on the amount of rubbish sent to landfill."
2
The materials being collected for reprocessing.
"Put the recycling out on Tuesday morning."
"The recycling is collected every other week, so check the calendar."
"He carried a heavy bag of recycling down to the bins."
How to use recycling
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTurning used materials into something reusable, or the materials set aside for that purpose.
Common pairings
recycling bin
recycling program
take out the recycling
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like recycling.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Word forms
- Plural
- recyclings
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The city expanded its _____ program to include electronics.
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for recycling
See all rhymes for recycling →Frequently asked questions
What does “recycling” mean?
The word “recycling” means the process of collecting and reprocessing waste materials for reuse. In plain terms, turning used materials into something reusable, or the materials set aside for that purpose.
How do you use “recycling” in a sentence?
Here is “recycling” used in a sentence: “The city expanded its recycling program to include electronics.”
What part of speech is “recycling”?
“Recycling” is a noun.
Is “recycling” a common word?
“Recycling” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “recycling” have?
“Recycling” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the process of collecting and reprocessing waste materials for reuse.
What is the difference between recycling and reusing?
Recycling involves collecting and reprocessing waste materials so they can be turned into new products, which usually requires breaking the material down in some way. Reusing means using an item again in its original form without processing it, such as refilling a glass bottle. Reusing is generally considered more resource-efficient than recycling.
What is the difference between recycling and upcycling?
Recycling breaks materials down and reprocesses them into new raw materials or products, while upcycling repurposes an item into something of equal or higher value without fully breaking it down, such as turning an old ladder into a bookshelf. Upcycling typically preserves more of the original item's structure than recycling does.
Can recycling refer to the materials themselves, not just the process?
Yes, recycling can refer to the actual materials being collected for reprocessing, as in 'put the recycling out on Tuesday.' This usage treats recycling as a countable set of items, distinct from its other sense as the general process of reprocessing waste.
