Recycling
Topic: Environment and Sustainable Development · NCERT: Class 6, Ch 14 "Economic Activities Around Us"; Class 8, Ch 7 "Factors of Production"
Meaning
Recycling means processing waste materials so they can be used again as inputs to make new products. It saves raw materials, energy and water and reduces pollution. It is one of the main tools of a circular economy, which aims to keep materials in use instead of throwing them away.
Example
One tonne of recycled paper saves 17 trees and uses about 70% less energy and water than making new paper. Recycling old phones recovers metals and keeps lead and mercury out of soil and water.
Don't confuse with
- Reuse: this means using the same item again as it is, such as refilling a glass bottle. Recycling breaks the item down into raw material first.
Related concepts
- Linear economy
- Circular economy
- E-waste
- Extended producer responsibility
- Urban mining
- Right to repair
- Porter hypothesis
- Sustainable infrastructure
- Sustainable consumption and production
- Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions