The recycling process aims to turn waste products into reusable material. The materials are often remanufactured into new products. Examples include glass, metals, paper, cardboard and styrofoam. The remanufacturing process requires energy. Some of this energy comes from natural resources. The rest is produced by burning or incinerating fossil fuels. Reusing and recycling materials reduces dependence on natural resources, conserves energy and combats climate change by reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Beginners recycling reduces the amount of materials that are sent to landfills, which are increasingly reaching capacity. It also helps to preserve natural habitats, and conserves energy by avoiding the need for additional mining and drilling operations.

Almost all paper and plastic products can be recycled, as can many other everyday items such as aluminum cans, steel products and glass. Most of these items are recycled externally, with the help of buy-back centres and drop-off centers that pay or reimburse consumers for sorted recyclables, and curbside collection where residents sort their waste and place it in special bins provided by local authorities for collection and processing.

Recycling is not a cure-all for the environment, however. Many environmental problems can be solved by other means, such as limiting consumption, buying secondhand, and preventing food waste through planning meals and using leftovers. In addition to recycling, people can reduce their environmental footprint by avoiding unnecessary purchases, conserving water and energy, and minimizing waste through composting, yard and leaf trimmings, and other forms of natural waste management.