What happens to waste materials when they are recycled?

Answer 1

In a re-cycling plan, assuming everything is mixed up., separation occurs, where plastics, metals, wood, paper, glass, rubber are separted.

Taking metals, iron is separated from other metals by use of magnets. Other metals could be dissolved in acid. It is because metal ions are easier to separate, by concentration and temperature control of the solution.

A lot of other rubbish/trash has to be separated by hand ( conveyor belt)

Other methods are the use of a rotating drum, the less heavy materials move to the sides of the drum , the heavier materials remain towards the centre.

Plastics can be cut into microscopic pieces , for chemical reaction and reforming. or possibly combusted to make heat, for electric generation.

Paper is reprocessed chemically, and forms a lower grade of paper (toilet paper).

Glass bottle/sheets of glass are crushed and reheated to form new glass shapes.

Plastics and timber can be combusted to generate heat. The gases from combustion are captured, and then sold on to other industries. e.g. chlorine.

In many countries the process of separation starts with individuals being asked to separate different types of rubbish/trash.

Answer 2

Waste materials that are recycled are collected, sorted, and processed into new products. These materials are then used as raw materials to manufacture new products, reducing the need for virgin resources and minimizing the amount of waste that ends up in landfills or the environment. Recycling helps conserve Natural Resources, reduce energy consumption, and decrease greenhouse gas emissions.