Vocabulary Related to Recycling

Vocabulary Related to Recycling

Vocabulary related to recycling

Hello, English learners. Welcome to a new lesson. We will look at vocabulary related to recycling.

Recycling refers to the process of collecting and processing materials that would otherwise be thrown away as trash and turning them into new products. This process helps conserve natural resources, reduce pollution, save energy and decrease greenhouse gas emissions. Here are some vocabulary words and phrases you can use to improve your knowledge of English.

Biodegradable

Meaning: refers to material which can be decomposed by bacteria and thereby avoids pollution.

• Biodegradable packaging is an eco-friendly alternative to plastic.
• The company switched to biodegradable cleaning products to reduce environmental impact.

Circular economy

Meaning: an economic system aimed at eliminating waste and the continual use of resources.

• The company adopted a circular economy model to reduce waste and promote sustainability.
• A circular economy encourages recycling, reusing, and repurposing materials to minimise environmental impact.

Compost

Meaning: refers to decayed organic material used as a fertiliser for growing plants.

• We started a compost pile in our backyard to recycle kitchen scraps and yard waste.
• Sandra uses compost to nourish her vegetable garden naturally.

Eco-friendly

Meaning: not harmful to the environment.

• Using public transportation is an eco-friendly way to reduce your carbon footprint.
• They installed solar panels to make their home more eco-friendly.

E-waste

Meaning: refers to discarded electronic appliances such as mobile phones, computers and televisions.

• Many cities have e-waste recycling programs to help manage electronic waste.
• She took her old laptop to an e-waste recycling centre.

Vocabulary related to recycling

Greenhouse gases

Meaning: gases that trap heat in the atmosphere, contributing to global warming.

• Carbon dioxide and methane are two of the most common greenhouse gases.
• The burning of fossil fuels releases worrisome amounts of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere.

Landfill

Meaning: a site for the disposal of waste materials by burial.

• The city is working on reducing the amount of waste sent to the landfill.
• They are exploring alternative waste management methods to reduce landfill use.

Recycle

Meaning: to process used materials into new products to prevent waste and reduce the consumption of fresh raw materials.

• We should recycle paper, plastic and glass to help protect the environment.
• It’s important to recycle old electronics properly to prevent harmful chemicals from polluting the environment.

Recycling bin

Meaning: a container used to hold recyclable items.

• Please place all recyclable materials in the recycling bin.
• The city provides residents with recycling bins to encourage recycling.

Recycling plant

Meaning: a facility where recyclable materials are processed.

• The city built a new recycling plant to handle the increasing amount of recyclable waste.
• She took her old electronics to the recycling plant for proper disposal.

Reduce

Meaning: to minimise the amount of waste produced. It is one of the key principles of waste management, along with reuse and recycling.

• We should reduce our use of plastic to help protect the environment.
• She decided to reduce the amount of paper she uses by going digital.

Renewable resources

Meaning: refers to natural resources that can be replenished naturally with the passage of time.

• Forests are renewable resources if managed sustainably, as trees can be replanted and grown over time.
• The government is investing in renewable resources to promote clean energy and reduce carbon emissions.

Non-renewable resources

Meaning: resources that do not renew themselves at a sufficient rate for sustainable economic extraction.

• The reliance on non-renewable resources has led to concerns about their long-term availability.
• Mining for non-renewable resources can have significant environmental impacts.

Vocabulary related to recycling

Reuse

Meaning: to use something again after it has been used, rather than discarding it.

• We should reuse glass jars for storage instead of throwing them away.
• Reusing water bottles can help reduce plastic waste.

Single-use

Meaning: refers to products that are designed to be used once and then discarded.

• The restaurant switched from single-use utensils to reusable ones to reduce waste.
• Many countries are banning single-use plastics to protect the environment.

Sustainable

Meaning: refers to using resources in a way that does not deplete them.

• Sustainable agriculture focuses on methods that protect the environment and maintain soil health.
• Using sustainable materials in construction can help reduce the environmental impact.

Upcycle

Meaning: to reuse something to obtain a product of higher quality or value than the original.

• The artist upcycled scrap metal into beautiful sculptures.
• Upcycling glass bottles into decorative vases is a fun and eco-friendly project.

Downcycle

Meaning: to recycle a material into a product of lesser quality.

• Plastic bottles are often downcycled into lower-grade plastic products.
• While downcycling is better than discarding, it doesn’t maintain the material’s original quality.

Waste management

Meaning: refers to processes and actions required to manage waste and dispose of it in an environmentally responsible manner.

• The city has implemented a waste management program to reduce landfill use.
• Education on waste management can help communities reduce their environmental footprint.

Zero waste

Meaning: refers to a philosophy of designing and managing products and processes to avoid and eliminate the volume and toxicity of waste.

• The company adopted a zero-waste policy to minimise its environmental footprint.
• Zero-waste initiatives focus on reducing, reusing, and recycling materials to eliminate waste.

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