recyclables
Bin-worthy discards
Recyclables are materials that can be processed and converted into new products rather than discarded as waste.
The term typically refers to household items like paper, glass, plastic, and metal that go in designated bins for collection: Put the recyclables out on Tuesday.
The noun is almost always plural; the singular form is rare.
Arranging into sequence
- collectionGathered set of items
- curbsideAdjacent to the street
- pickupSmall open-bed truck
- binsReceptacles for storage
baling · shredding · crushing · melting · waste management · deposit · redemption · contamination
Employ something again
- repurposeAdapt for new use
- upcycleCreatively reuse discarded materials
- reclaimTake back possession
- recoverRegain health or possession
circular economy · cradle-to-cradle · life cycle · closed-loop · raw materials · post-consumer · downcycling · remanufacturing
Moldable petroleum-based materials
- glassTransparent solid from sand
- paperPressed pulp for writing
- metalsLustrous conductive elements
- cardboardRigid paper for containers
bottles · cans · newspapers · aluminum · steel · tin · cartons · containers
Able to decompose naturally
- compostableAble to decompose naturally
- eco-friendlyNot harming the environment
- zero-wasteNo garbage produced
- renewableCapable of restoration
sustainable · carbon footprint · conservation · environmental impact · reduce · eco-design · sustainability
sorting
Arranging into sequence
- collectionGathered set of items
- curbsideAdjacent to the street
- pickupSmall open-bed truck
bins · baling · shredding · crushing · melting · waste management · deposit · redemption · contamination · single-stream
reuse
Employ something again
recover · circular economy · cradle-to-cradle · life cycle · closed-loop · raw materials · post-consumer · downcycling · remanufacturing
plastics
Moldable petroleum-based materials
cardboard · bottles · cans · newspapers · aluminum · steel · tin · cartons · containers · packaging
biodegradable
Able to decompose naturally
- compostableAble to decompose naturally
- eco-friendlyNot harming the environment
- zero-wasteNo garbage produced
renewable · sustainable · carbon footprint · conservation · environmental impact · reduce · eco-design · sustainability
recyclablestrash
Discarded worthless material
garbage · landfill waste · rubbish · refuse · waste
recyclableshazardous waste
Dangerous discards threatening health
toxic waste · junk · biohazardous waste · nuclear waste · e-waste
- recyclable materialsWaste suitable for reprocessing
- recyclable bagsCarriers meant for material recovery