endurnýting

Endurnýting refers to the processing of used materials into new products in order to prevent waste, conserve resources and reduce environmental impact. In Icelandic usage, the term covers the collection, sorting, cleaning and manufacturing of recycled materials, and is a central element of the waste management system. Endurnýting includes mechanical recycling, where materials are shredded or melted to create new raw materials, and chemical recycling, where polymers are broken down to basic building blocks for new plastics; some materials may undergo multiple methods.

The typical process starts with source separation and collection of recyclables, followed by sorting facilities that separate paper, cardboard, glass, metals and plastics. After processing, the materials are transformed into feedstocks or directly into new products, with quality control to ensure marketability. Recycled materials can range from paper and metal to plastics and glass, and increasingly include electronics waste and textiles.

Endurnýting reduces dependence on virgin resources, lowers energy use and decreases greenhouse gas emissions, but benefits depend on collection rates, contamination levels and the market for recycled materials. Economic viability, labeling, and consumer participation influence outcomes.

Policy and infrastructure shape endurnýting: extended producer responsibility, deposit-refund schemes, separate collection systems, and recycling targets drive participation. Designing products for recyclability and investing in sorting and processing facilities are common strategies. Globally, endurnýting faces challenges such as fluctuations in commodity prices and cross-border waste dynamics, while many countries pursue higher recycling rates as part of broader circular economy goals.