Recycling is a process designed to convert materials  into new products to prevent disuse of potentially useful materials, reduce the consumption of new raw materials, reduce energy usage, reduce air pollution (through incineration ) and water pollution (through landfills) by reducing the need for conventional waste systems, as well as reduce emissions of greenhouse gases compared to the production of plastics.

Recycling is a key component in reducing waste and contemporary is the third component of the 3Rs (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle). Recyclable materials include many kinds of glass, paper, metal, plastic, textiles and electronics. In many cases it is not possible to carry out a recycling in the narrow sense because of the difficulty or cost of the process, so that the material tends to be reused to produce products or other materials. It is also possible to perform a rescue component of certain complex products, either for their intrinsic value or their hazardous nature.