to be recycled

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to be recycled" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to materials or items that are intended to be processed and reused rather than discarded as waste. Example: "Please place all plastic bottles in the bin designated for items to be recycled."

✓ Grammatically correct

Wiki

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Batteries are often required by law to be recycled in your city's recycling program.

WikiHow

ESPYs production supplies are carefully chosen for their recycled content and ability to be recycled.

Huffington Post

"They sent me to be recycled".

The New Yorker

No "third way" cliché was too stale to be recycled.

The Economist

Below, old ties are ready to be recycled.

The New York Times

It was shipped to New Jersey to be recycled.

The New Yorker

Land treatment, in effect, allows sewage to be recycled for beneficial use.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Nike encourages customers to "close the loop" by returning sweaty used shoes to be recycled.

The Economist

That money has to be recycled into the financial system, creating more financial instruments.

The Economist

There were two 25-gallon garbage barrels of basil ready to be recycled.

The New York Times - Magazine

That includes legislation in California that requires 50percentt of waste statewide to be recycled.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "to be recycled", ensure that the context clearly indicates what material or item is intended for recycling. For example, specify "paper products to be recycled" for clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "to be recycled" without specifying the type of material. Saying "items to be recycled" is vague; instead, specify "plastic bottles to be recycled" or "aluminum cans to be recycled" for better clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to be recycled" functions as an infinitive phrase, often used adjectivally to modify a noun by specifying its intended destination or purpose. Ludwig examples show it describing items or materials destined for the recycling process.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Wiki

24%

Science

24%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "to be recycled" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to indicate an item's intention for the recycling process. As confirmed by Ludwig, its applications span from news articles and scientific publications to general wiki pages, reflecting a register that is largely considered neutral. When using this phrase, it's best to be as specific as possible about the item in question, specifying "plastics", "paper", or other materials "to be recycled" for maximum clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to be repurposed

Focuses on finding a new use for something, rather than specifically processing it for reuse.

to be reused

Implies using something again in its original form or for its original purpose, with less processing.

to be reclaimed

Suggests recovering something of value from waste or a discarded state.

to be processed

Highlights the action of transforming something, often for a specific end use.

to be regenerated

Implies restoring something to a new or better condition.

to be recovered

Focuses on extracting something valuable from a source.

to be transformed

Emphasizes a complete change in form or nature.

to be salvaged

Suggests saving something from destruction or loss.

to be remanufactured

Focuses on rebuilding something to like-new condition.

to be upcycled

Refers to transforming waste materials into new products of higher value.

FAQs

How can I use "to be recycled" in a sentence?

You can use "to be recycled" to indicate that an item or material is intended for the recycling process. For example, "These bottles are ready "to be recycled"."

What are some alternatives to "to be recycled"?

Alternatives include phrases like "for recycling", "recyclable", or "suitable for recycling" depending on the context.

Which is correct: "items to be recycled" or "items for recycling"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct, but "items for recycling" often implies a more immediate intention or designation for the items.

What is the difference between "to be recycled" and "to be reused"?

"To be recycled" implies that the material will be processed and transformed into something new, while "to be reused" means the item will be used again in its current form or for a similar purpose.