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Definition of recycle verb from the Oxford Advanced American Dictionary

     

    recycle

     verb
    verb
    NAmE//riˈsaɪkl//
     
    Verb Forms present simple I / you / we / they recycle
     
    he / she / it recycles
     
    past simple recycled
     
    -ing form recycling
     
     
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  1. 1recycle something to treat things that have already been used so that they can be used again The company recycles about 85% of the paper it uses. recycled paper Topic CollocationsThe Environmentenvironmental damage
    • cause/contribute to climate change/global warming
    • produce pollution/CO2/greenhouse (gas) emissions
    • damage/destroy the environment/a marine ecosystem/the ozone layer/coral reefs
    • degrade ecosystems/habitats/the environment
    • harm the environment/wildlife/marine life
    • threaten natural habitats/coastal ecosystems/a species with extinction
    • deplete natural resources/the ozone layer
    • pollute rivers and lakes/waterways/the air/the atmosphere/the environment/oceans
    • contaminate groundwater/the soil/food/crops
    • log forests/rainforests/trees
    protecting the environment
    • address/combat/tackle the threat/effects/impact of climate change
    • fight/take action on/reduce/stop global warming
    • limit/curb/control air/water/atmospheric/environmental pollution
    • cut/reduce pollution/greenhouse (gas) emissions
    • offset carbon/CO2 emissions
    • reduce (the size of) your carbon footprint
    • achieve/promote sustainable development
    • preserve/conserve biodiversity/natural resources
    • protect endangered species/a coastal ecosystem
    • prevent/stop soil erosion/overfishing/massive deforestation/damage to ecosystems
    • raise awareness of environmental issues
    • save the planet/the rainforests/an endangered species
    energy and resources
    • conserve/save/consume/waste energy
    • manage/exploit/be rich in natural resources
    • dump/dispose of hazardous/toxic/nuclear waste/sewage
    • dispose of/throw away litter/garbage/trash
    • use/be made from recycled/recyclable/biodegradable material
    • recycle bottles/packaging/paper/plastic/waste
    • promote/encourage recycling/sustainable development/the use of renewable energy
    • develop/invest in/promote renewable energy
    • reduce your dependence/reliance on fossil fuels
    • get/obtain/generate/produce electricity from wind, solar, and wave power/renewable sources
    • build/develop a (50-megawatt/offshore) wind farm
    • install/be powered by solar panels
  2. 2recycle something to use the same ideas, methods, jokes, etc. again He recycled all his old jokes.
 
noun [uncountable] the recycling of glass a recycling plant
See recycle in the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary