Editing Recycling (section)

== Recyclates ==
[[File:CLOSEUP OF BEER BOTTLES CRUSHED INTO FINE GLASS. THIS MIXTURE IS FED INTO THE GLASS FURNACE AND NEW BOTTLES ARE MADE... - NARA - 543695.jpg|thumb|Glass recovered by crushing only one kind of beer bottle]]

"Recyclate" is a raw material sent to and processed in a waste recycling plant or materials-recovery facility<ref>{{cite web |last = Web-Dictionary.com (2013) |title = Recyclate |url = http://www.web-definition.com/dictionary/r/re/recyclate/ |url-status = usurped |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140407070530/http://www.web-definition.com/dictionary/r/re/recyclate/ |archive-date = 7 April 2014 }}</ref> so it can be used in the production of new materials and products. For example, [[plastic bottle]]s can be made into plastic pellets and [[Synthetic fiber|synthetic fabrics]].<ref>{{cite web |last = Freudenrich, C. (2014) |title = How Plastics Work |url = http://science.howstuffworks.com/plastic5.htm |access-date = 7 July 2016 |date = 14 December 2007 |archive-date = 4 December 2020 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20201204051538/https://science.howstuffworks.com/plastic5.htm |url-status = live }}</ref>

=== Quality of recyclate ===
The quality of recyclates is one of the principal challenges for the success of a long-term vision of a [[green economy]] and achieving [[zero waste]]. It generally refers to how much of it is composed of target material, versus non-target material and other non-recyclable material.<ref name=GOV.UK>{{cite web |work= DEFRA |date=2013 |title = Quality Action Plan Proposals to Promote High Quality Recycling of Dry Recyclates |url = https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/221028/pb13875-qap-recycling.pdf |access-date = 4 November 2016 |archive-date = 10 February 2017 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170210051156/https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/221028/pb13875-qap-recycling.pdf |url-status = live }}</ref> Steel and other metals have intrinsically higher recyclate quality; it is estimated that two-thirds of all new steel comes from recycled steel.<ref>{{Cite web|title=How to Recycle Tin or Steel Cans|url=https://earth911.com/recycling-guide/how-to-recycle-tin-or-steel-cans/|access-date=2023-02-08|website=Earth911|language=en-US|archive-date=31 March 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190331080915/https://earth911.com/recycling-guide/how-to-recycle-tin-or-steel-cans/|url-status=live}}</ref> Only target material is likely to be recycled, so higher amounts of non-target and non-recyclable materials can reduce the quantity of recycled products.<ref name=GOV.UK /> A high proportion of non-target and non-recyclable material can make it more difficult to achieve "high-quality" recycling; and if recyclate is of poor quality, it is more likely to end up being [[Downcycling|down-cycled]] or, in more extreme cases, sent to other recovery options or [[landfill]]ed.<ref name=GOV.UK /> For example, to facilitate the remanufacturing of clear glass products, there are tight restrictions for colored glass entering the re-melt process. Another example is the [[downcycling]] of plastic, where products such as plastic food packaging are often downcycled into lower quality products,  and do not get recycled into the same plastic food packaging.

The quality of recyclate not only supports high-quality recycling, but it can also deliver significant environmental benefits by reducing, reusing, and keeping products out of [[Landfill|landfills]].<ref name=GOV.UK /> High-quality recycling can support economic growth by maximizing the value of waste material.<ref name=GOV.UK /> Higher income levels from the sale of quality recyclates can return value significant to local governments, households and businesses.<ref name=GOV.UK /> Pursuing high-quality recycling can also promote consumer and business confidence in the waste and resource management sector, and may encourage investment in it.

There are many actions along the recycling supply chain, each of which can affect recyclate quality.<ref name=Scottish>{{cite web |work= The Scottish Government |title = Recyclate Quality Action Plan – Consultation Paper |url = http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2012/10/6584/6 |date = 5 October 2012 |archive-date = 2 February 2013 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130202221909/http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2012/10/6584/6 |url-status = dead }}</ref> Waste producers who place non-target and non-recyclable wastes in recycling collections can affect the quality of final recyclate streams, and require extra efforts to discard those materials at later stages in the recycling process.<ref name=Scottish /> Different collection systems can induce different levels of contamination. When multiple materials are collected together, extra effort is required to sort them into separate streams and can significantly reduce the quality of the final products.<ref name=Scottish /> Transportation and the compaction of materials can also make this more difficult. Despite improvements in technology and quality of recyclate, sorting facilities are still not 100% effective in separating materials.<ref name=Scottish /> When materials are stored outside, where they can become wet, can also cause problems for re-processors. Further sorting steps may be required to satisfactorily reduce the amount of non-target and non-recyclable material.<ref name=Scottish />