Recycling refers to what?

Recycling involves the process of collecting and processing waste materials and transforming them into new products. This process is crucial because it reduces the amount of waste sent to landfills and conserves natural resources by reusing materials that would otherwise be discarded. When items such as plastic, paper, and metal are recycled, they are cleaned, processed, and then remade into new products, thereby minimizing the need for raw material extraction and decreasing energy consumption associated with manufacturing new products from virgin materials.

This approach not only helps in managing waste more effectively but also promotes environmental sustainability, as it reduces pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. By transforming used materials into valuable products again, recycling contributes significantly to the circular economy, where resources are utilized more efficiently and sustainably.