recycling
Loading your saved state.
recycling
The process of reprocessing waste products in order to make new materials or products from them. This conserves resources and reduces waste.
Durch konsequentes Recycling von Glas und Papier können wir die Umwelt schützen.
Through consistent recycling of glass and paper, we can protect the environment.
'Recycling' is the basis for many compound nouns in German. Examples are 'Recyclinghof' (a recycling center where you drop off waste for recycling) or 'Recyclingpapier' (recycled paper).
Alte Flaschen kannst du zum Recyclinghof bringen.
You can take old bottles to the recycling center.
When you want to say which material is being recycled, use the structure 'Recycling von' + dative of the material.
Das Recycling von Plastik ist besonders wichtig für die Umwelt.
The recycling of plastic is especially important for the environment.
Common verbs used in connection with recycling are 'etwas dem Recycling zuführen' (to send something for recycling) or 'Recycling betreiben' (to practice recycling).
Viele Firmen führen ihre Verpackungen dem Recycling zu.
Many companies send their packaging for recycling.
coming to terms / restoration / processing
'die Aufarbeitung' and 'das Recycling' can both describe waste or old materials being made usable again. 'Recycling' is the usual word when new materials or products are made from trash. 'Aufarbeitung' sounds more general or technical and emphasizes the processing of raw materials or waste within a process. The words can be confused because recycling is often a form of 'Aufarbeitung'. In everyday life, people usually say 'Recycling' when talking about waste separation and reuse. 'Aufarbeitung' fits more in technical or industrial contexts.
Viele Städte wollen das Recycling von Plastik verbessern.
Many cities want to improve the recycling of plastic.
In der Fabrik beginnt die Aufarbeitung der Metallreste am Morgen.
In the factory, the processing of the metal scraps begins in the morning.