Recycling: meaning, definitions and examples

This term is most commonly used in general conversation and everyday contexts when referring to the process of converting waste into reusable material. It's often associated with environmental conservation efforts.

• Please put the plastic bottles in the recycling bin
• Our town has a new recycling program

This word is generally used in formal or academic settings to describe the process of using something again, often in a slightly different form or function. It carries a sense of resourcefulness.

• The reutilization of old shipping containers as homes is an innovative idea
• The project focuses on the reutilization of agricultural byproducts

This word is often used in technical, industrial, or environmental contexts referring to the process of reclaiming land, water, or materials from waste or other unuseful states. It has a more formal or specialized feel.

• The company is involved in the reclamation of abandoned mining sites
• The reclamation project aims to restore the wetland

This term typically appears in technical or industrial settings, referring to the process of extracting or retrieving usable materials from waste or unused products. It can also be used in different contexts like health, which can sometimes confuse the meaning.

• The recovery of metals from electronic waste is crucial
• The plant specializes in the recovery of oil from sludge

Appropriate for describing the process of converting waste materials into new materials or objects. Commonly used in discussions about waste management, sustainability, and environmental conservation.

• The city has implemented a comprehensive recycling program
• Recycling paper helps to save trees

Applicable when discussing the practice of using an item again for the same or a similar purpose, instead of throwing it away. Often mentioned in sustainability practices focused on reducing waste.

• We can reduce waste by reusing grocery bags
• The reusable bottle was designed to cut down on plastic waste

Best used when talking about retrieving or gaining back something that was lost, taken, or discarded. Often used in the context of land, resources, or items being restored to a better condition.

• Efforts were made to reclaim the polluted river
• The company aims to reclaim old materials for new products

Used when modifying an item to serve a different function than originally intended. It's common in creative projects or initiatives aimed at reducing waste by finding new uses for old items.

• She decided to repurpose an old ladder as a bookshelf
• The company repurposed its outdated equipment for educational purposes