recycle

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'recycle' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to the act of reprocessing used materials into new products. For example: "It is important to reduce, reuse, and recycle in order to have a lower environmental impact."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

All the company's retail stores will now take back Apple products for recycling, for free; previously customers had to buy a new product to recycle an old one.

The Guardian

In California mobile-phone retailers must now take back and recycle old phones.Many technology firms are already eliminating certain chemicals and offering recycling schemes to help their customers dispose of obsolete equipment.

The Economist

"The system ran on obsolete floppy discs and staff had to recycle old computers to keep the system running".

The Guardian

"We've always tried to turn the lights off and recycle, but we didn't even think about our energy use".

The Guardian

Sanergy, an organisation that focuses on improving sanitation in urban slums in Nairobi, is working with agricultural start-up AgriProtein to recycle human faeces into animal feed via insects.

The Guardian

They found that few companies have robust sustainable packaging policies or system-wide programs to recycle packages.

The Guardian

Cut red tape and taxes is their familiar answer, though they seem more interested in the 50p top rate that Huntsman Hester pays than in VAT or the income tax paid by the low paid Comrade Clegg wants to see eliminated on budget day: the awkward fact is that poor people spend their pay because they need to, the savings of the rich do not so easily recycle themselves into the active economy.

The Guardian - Business

But we're finding out that once we miss the chance to recycle plastics, they live on in peculiar and troubling ways.

The Guardian - Opinion

The building next door to the Shrine in this slightly run-down part of LA is the 32nd Street school carries a bold injunction to its students on one wall: "live, learn, recycle".

The Guardian

In November, the city of San Diego moved ahead on a $2.5bn plan to recycle 83m gallons of wastewater a day for drinking by 2035, about one-third of the city's supply.

The Guardian

I trust my judgment, choose my words, soak up knowledge and recycle it.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about environmental initiatives, use "recycle" to refer to the process of converting waste materials into new products. For broader sustainability efforts, consider terms like "repurpose" or "upcycle".

Common error

Don't assume that all materials can be "recycled". Always check local guidelines for what is accepted in your area to avoid contaminating recycling streams.

Linguistic Context

Recycle functions primarily as a verb, denoting the act of processing used materials so they can be used again. As Ludwig AI explains, this includes breaking down materials for reuse, reusing items as a whole, or collecting materials for recycling programs. Examples from Ludwig illustrate its usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Formal & Business

22%

Science

21%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "recycle" is a versatile verb that describes the process of converting waste materials into new products, promoting sustainability and responsible waste management. As Ludwig AI confirms, the word is grammatically correct and usable in written English. Its common usage in news, business, and scientific contexts underscores its broad relevance. While alternatives like "reprocess" or "reuse" exist, "recycle" remains a clear and widely understood term for environmental stewardship.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

reprocess materials

Focuses on the technical aspect of treating materials for reuse.

reuse items

Emphasizes using items again in their current form.

reclaim resources

Highlights recovering valuable materials from waste.

recover materials

Similar to reclaim, but can also refer to energy recovery.

convert waste

Focuses on transforming waste into a usable form.

upcycle products

Specifically refers to transforming waste into higher-value products.

close the loop

Describes the cyclical process of resource use and recovery.

divert from landfill

Emphasizes preventing waste from going to landfills.

salvage materials

Refers to rescuing materials from demolition or discarded items.

regenerate resources

Highlights restoring resources to a usable condition.

FAQs

How is "recycle" used in a sentence?

You can use "recycle" to describe the process of converting waste materials into new products. For example: "We need to "recycle" more plastic to reduce landfill waste."

What are some alternatives to the word "recycle"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "reprocess", "reuse", or "reclaim".

What's the difference between "recycle" and "reuse"?

"Recycle" refers to converting waste into new materials, while "reuse" means using an item again in its original form. For example, you can recycle plastic bottles or reuse a shopping bag.

What materials can be recycled?

Commonly recycled materials include paper, plastic, glass, and metal. However, specific types and acceptance criteria vary by location. Check your local recycling guidelines for details.