Which materials are commonly recycled in municipal waste programs?

Municipal waste programs commonly focus on the recovery and reprocessing of several key materials to reduce the volume of waste sent to landfills and conserve natural resources. These materials are typically collected through source-separated curbside programs or processed at a materials recovery facility (MRF).1234

Commonly recycled materials include:

• Paper: This includes newspapers, magazines, and other wastepaper, which are often pulped and manufactured into new paper products.425
• Glass: Bottles and containers are frequently collected, color-sorted, and crushed into cullet for use in glassmaking or repurposed for other applications like asphalt pavement.345
• Metals: Aluminum cans and steel (often referred to as "tin") cans are highly valued in recycling streams. Aluminum is particularly notable for its high value, while steel is typically baled and sent to mills as scrap.425
• Plastics: While challenging due to the variety of polymers, plastic containers and household products are increasingly recycled. Thermoplastics can be remelted and reformed, while other types may be shredded for use as fillers.165
• Rubber: Discarded tires and rubber products are sometimes shredded for use in asphalt, mulch, or artificial turf.5