reciclatge

Reciclatge, or recycling, is the process of collecting, sorting, and processing waste materials to create new products. The aim is to conserve natural resources, reduce energy use, lower pollution, and minimize the amount of waste sent to landfills and incinerators. Recyclable materials include metals (such as aluminum and steel), paper and cardboard, glass, certain plastics, and electronics, as well as organic waste that can be composted or converted through anaerobic digestion.

Typical recycling workflows begin with collection and separation to remove contaminants, followed by cleaning, shredding, or melting to prepare feedstock. The material is then processed into base materials, such as aluminum ingots, plastic pellets, glass cullet, or pulp, and sent to manufacturers for new products. Some materials are recycled in closed loops (the same product or packaging winds up as a like product), while others are downcycled into different, lower-value items. Plastics can undergo mechanical recycling or advanced chemical recycling to break polymers back into monomers or other chemicals. Electronics and batteries require specialized dismantling and safe handling.

Benefits of reciclatge include reduced resource extraction, energy savings, lower greenhouse gas emissions, and less waste in landfills. Economically, recycling supports jobs in collection, processing, and manufacturing and can stabilize raw-material supply. However, recycling faces challenges such as contamination, variability in material quality, fluctuating markets for recyclables, and gaps in collection or processing infrastructure. Policy approaches, like curbside collection, extended producer responsibility, and deposit-return schemes, can improve participation and efficiency. Overall, reciclatge is a component of sustainable waste management, complementing reduction and reuse strategies.