How recycling works

Once you have put your recyclables out for collection, or taken them to the recycling site, they will be picked up and taken for sorting and packing, ready to be transported to the reprocessors. 

The material is broken down (e.g. into crushed glass or chipped plastic) before being recycled. Manufacturers then use this matter to make new materials such as paper, glass bottles, plastic bottles and cans, ready to be filled with the products we like to buy. 

Some things can be recycled and made into the same item again, such as paper and glass and cans. Others will be made into something totally different - for example, plastic drink cups can be made into pencils, and plastic bottles into fleece jackets.