The collection of recyclable materials differs at the community level.  There are principally for methods for gathering up waste material; drop-off centers, deposit/refund programs, buy-back centers, and of course curbside pickup.

Once these materials arrive at waste management collection center they are usually sent to a recovery facility where they are sorted, oftentimes manually, and bulk packaged into a marketable form for use by processors or manufacturers.  They are bought and sold like any other commodity with demand establishing price levels.

Step 2 – Manufacturing

Once they enter the manufacturing stream they become components of finished goods. In some instances the goods are composed of 100% recycled materials, as seen in paper and cardboard, and in other instances recycled content comprises less than 100% of the product. Common items containing recycled materials include aluminum cans; plastic and glass soft drink containers; newspapers, paper towels and cardboard; steel cans and other steel products; and plastic containers and bottles.

Recycled materials are also commonly used as components in other products such as recycled glass in roadway asphalt, called glassphalt, and recycled plastic used in carpeting. We are also familiar with insulation made from cellulose, which is shredded newspaper, which has been treated with a fire retardant. This is usually blown into wall cavities in residential construction.

Step 3 – Purchasing Recycled Products

Buying products that are wholly or partially made from recycled materials is the last step in a sustainable practice. "Buying recycled" programs, which are established by governments and the private sector, help institutionalize the reuse of raw materials as common practice. As individual consumers we also help legitimize this conservation process. As we demand more environmentally sound products developed in a sustainable manner, manufacturers will meet the demand by producing these products.