Recycling can be defined as a series of activities that includes collecting recyclable materials that would otherwise be considered waste, sorting and processing recyclables into raw materials, and manufacturing these into new products.
Recycling prevents useful material (resources) being wasted, reduces the consumption of raw materials and reduces energy usage, and hence reduces greenhouse gas emissions, compared to using virgin material. Recycling is a key concept of modern waste management.
Waste is generally collected and sorted into common groups, so that the raw materials from these items can be used again (recycled).
In developed countries, the most common consumer items recycled include aluminium beverage cans, steel, food and aerosol cans, plastic bottles, glass bottles and jars, paperboard cartons, newspapers, magazines, and cardboard. Other types of plastic like PVC are also recyclable, although not as commonly collected. These items are usually composed of a single type of material, making them relatively easy to recycle into new products.
Recycling usually requires significantly less energy, water and other resources to recycle materials than to produce new materials. By way of example, cullet melts at a lower temperature. The factories therefore require less oil etc to melt the same quantities of glass.
For recycling to work, everyone has to participate in each phase of the process. From government and industry, to organisations, small businesses, and people at home; every South African can make recycling a part of their daily routine.
