recycler

A recycler is a person, organization, or device that recycles waste materials into new products. As a person, a recycler may collect, sort, and process recyclable materials for curbside programs, drop-off centers, or private facilities. As a device or system, a recycler refers to equipment that mechanically or chemically processes waste into feedstock for manufacturing.

In modern waste management, recycling activities aim to conserve resources, reduce energy use, and limit pollution associated with landfilling and extraction. Municipal programs, private facilities, and informal networks contribute to recycling in many regions. The effectiveness of recycling depends on consumer participation, proper separation of materials, and reliable markets for recovered outputs.

The recycling process typically includes collection, sorting, cleaning, and processing. Materials are baled or granulated and sent to manufacturers who remanufacture them into new products. Contamination—non-recyclables mixed with recyclables—can reduce quality and increase processing costs. Some materials are more easily recycled than others, and recycling rates vary by region and material type.

Common recyclables include paper and cardboard, glass, metals such as aluminum and steel, and certain plastics. E-waste is a specialized category that requires hazardous materials handling and often chemical or specialty recycling technologies.

Environmental and economic aspects: Recycling saves energy and reduces natural resource extraction, but it requires infrastructure, markets for recovered materials, and energy to process. Global rates vary, and recycling can be hindered by contamination, market fluctuations, and policy gaps. Types of recycling include mechanical recycling, which reprocesses materials into similar products, and chemical recycling, which breaks polymers into basic feedstocks. Reuse and upcycling are related strategies that extend product life without remanufacturing from raw materials.