Abstract
Recycling is a key component of modern waste reduction and is the third component of the “Reduce, Reuse and Recycle” waste hierarchy. Recycling and/or waste minimization is a prerequisite for sustainable value and green environment. Recyclable materials include many kinds of glass, paper, metal, plastic, textiles, and electronics. The composting or other reuse of food is also considered recycling. This chapter starts with an expanded definition of recycling; afterwards, the recycling processes of glass and aluminum are examined in detail. Besides recycling, for a green environment the necessity for reducing and reusing of waste is also considered. Another topic will be the myths of recycling-unknown realities about recycling process. Furthermore, types of recycling and cost-benefit analysis will be explained. Ultimately, the chapter will be concluded by criticisms about recycling, and potential areas for further discussion.
Key Terms in this Chapter
UNEP: The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the leading global environmental authority that sets the global environmental agenda, promotes the coherent implementation of the environmental dimension of sustainable development within the United Nations system and serves as an authoritative advocate for the global environment.
Quality Standards: Concise sets of prioritized statements designed to drive measurable quality improvements within a particular area of health or care.
Waste Reduction: The minimization of waste at its source to minimize the quantity required to be treated and disposed of, achieved usually through better product design and/or process management. Also called waste minimization.
Recyclable Products: The products that can be efficiently and effectively reused after serving its purpose.
Composting: The decomposition of materials that originated from animals and plants.
Solid Waste: Any discarded or abandoned materials. Solid wastes can be solid, liquid, semi-solid or containerized gaseous material.
Waste Hierarchy: The evaluation of processes that protect the environment alongside resource and energy consumption to most favorable to least favorable actions.