to use / recycle
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to recycle
To make something that already exists, such as waste or leftovers, usable for a new purpose or process it further.
In dieser Fabrik wird alter Kunststoff gesammelt und zu neuen Produkten verwertet.
In this factory, old plastic is collected and recycled into new products.
to exploit
To use information, an idea, an opportunity, or a right for one's own advantage or commercially.
Der Musiker konnte die Rechte an seinem Lied erfolgreich kommerziell verwerten.
The musician was able to successfully exploit the rights to his song commercially.
The word contains the stem “Wert” (value). “Verwerten” (to use/recycle) means to draw value from something or make something valuable out of it, especially from things that would otherwise remain unused.
Aus den alten Äpfeln können wir noch Saft machen und sie so verwerten.
We can still make juice from the old apples and use them that way.
The prefix “ver-” is inseparable. It remains firmly attached to the verb in all sentence forms and is not placed at the end of the sentence.
Die Firma hat die Daten ihrer Studie erfolgreich verwertet.
The company successfully used the data from its study.
The object of the verb shows the meaning: if it is physical materials such as “Abfall” (waste) or “Reste” (leftovers), it is about recycling. If it is abstract things such as “Ideen” (ideas) or “Rechte” (rights), it is about commercial use.
Wir verwerten unser Altglas, um die Umwelt zu schonen.
We recycle our used glass to protect the environment.
In the context of recycling, “verwerten” (to recycle) is often combined with materials: Altpapier verwerten (to recycle waste paper), Essensreste verwerten (to use up food leftovers), Bauschutt verwerten (to recycle construction rubble), or Rohstoffe verwerten (to recycle raw materials).
Aus den Essensresten der Kantine wird Biogas erzeugt und so Energie verwertet.
Biogas is produced from the cafeteria's food leftovers, and energy is recycled in this way.
to use / benefit
Nutzen and verwerten can both mean deliberately putting something to use. Nutzen is the neutral term for use or benefit. Verwerten emphasizes more strongly that information, ideas, or opportunities are deliberately used for one's own or a commercial advantage. For ordinary use, „nutzen“ is usually the better choice; for deliberate evaluation and use, „verwerten“ is more suitable.
Das Unternehmen verwertet die Informationen für eine neue Werbekampagne.
The company uses the information for a new advertising campaign.
Wir nutzen die Informationen, um den Bericht zu verbessern.
We use the information to improve the report.
