unrecyclable
Cannot be reprocessed
Unrecyclable describes materials that cannot be processed and reused through recycling systems: The packaging was unrecyclable and went straight to landfill.
What counts as unrecyclable varies by location—some facilities accept plastics that others reject.
As a noun, unrecyclables are items that must be thrown away rather than recycled.
Waste burial ground
- incinerationBurning waste to ash
- garbageDiscarded waste material
- trashDiscarded worthless material
- dumpWaste disposal site
refuse · waste-to-energy · combustion · discarding · scrapping · dumping · shredding · compacting
Resists natural decomposition
- single-useFor one application only
- disposableMade for one use
- permanentFixed without end
- non-renewableNot naturally restored
irreversible · irrecoverable · unrecoverable · inconvertible · contaminated · unsortable · unmarketable
Moldable petroleum-based materials
- StyrofoamExtruded foam insulation brand
- polystyreneLightweight synthetic foam plastic
- polyethyleneThermoplastic from ethylene gas
- PVCChlorinated plastic abbreviation
Introduction of impurities
- toxicityCapacity to cause harm
- leachateLiquid filtered through waste
- microplasticsSub-5mm synthetic environmental particles
- bioaccumulationPollutant concentration in tissues
landfill
Waste burial ground
- incinerationBurning waste to ash
- garbageDiscarded waste material
- trashDiscarded worthless material
dump · refuse · waste-to-energy · combustion · discarding · scrapping · dumping · shredding · compacting · cleanout
non-biodegradable
Resists natural decomposition
- single-useFor one application only
- disposableMade for one use
- permanentFixed without end
non-renewable · irreversible · irrecoverable · unrecoverable · inconvertible · contaminated · unsortable · unmarketable
plastics
Moldable petroleum-based materials
- StyrofoamExtruded foam insulation brand
- polystyreneLightweight synthetic foam plastic
- polyethyleneThermoplastic from ethylene gas
PVC · straws · utensils · bubble-wrap
contamination
Introduction of impurities
- toxicityCapacity to cause harm
- leachateLiquid filtered through waste
- microplasticsSub-5mm synthetic environmental particles
bioaccumulation · carcinogens · nonbiodegradable · particulates
overconsumption
Excessive use of resources
unrecyclablerecyclable
Capable of being remade
reusable · reclaimed · repurposable · recoverable · reclaimable
unrecyclablerecyclable
Capable of being remade
biodegradable · compostable · decomposable · sustainable · renewable