This definitions covers Key Definitions within Recycling for GCSE Chemistry. Revise Recycling in Using Resources for GCSE Chemistry with 23 exam-style questions and 14 flashcards. This topic shows up very often in GCSE exams, so students should be able to explain it clearly, not just recognise the term. It is section 4 of 9 in this topic. Make sure you can use the exact wording confidently, because definition marks are often lost through vague language.
📖 Key Definitions
Recycling: The process of converting waste materials into new materials and objects, rather than disposing of them. It reduces demand for virgin raw materials and lowers energy consumption compared to primary production.
Landfill: A site where waste materials are buried in the ground. Landfill produces methane gas as organic waste decomposes (a powerful greenhouse gas) and can cause groundwater contamination.
Incineration: The process of burning waste at high temperature. Incineration reduces the volume of waste and can generate electricity (waste-to-energy), but produces CO₂ and other air pollutants.
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle (the 3 Rs): The waste hierarchy in order of priority — reducing consumption is most impactful, followed by reusing items, then recycling as a last resort before disposal.
Waste hierarchy: A framework ranking waste management strategies by their environmental benefit: Prevention > Minimisation > Reuse > Recycling > Energy Recovery > Disposal.
Practice questions for Recycling
Which of the following correctly describes recycling?
Explain three reasons why plastic recycling is more difficult than metal recycling.