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Definition of recycle verb from the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

recycle

verb
 
/ˌriːˈsaɪkl/
 
/ˌriːˈsaɪkl/
Verb Forms
present simple I / you / we / they recycle
 
/ˌriːˈsaɪkl/
 
/ˌriːˈsaɪkl/
he / she / it recycles
 
/ˌriːˈsaɪklz/
 
/ˌriːˈsaɪklz/
past simple recycled
 
/ˌriːˈsaɪkld/
 
/ˌriːˈsaɪkld/
past participle recycled
 
/ˌriːˈsaɪkld/
 
/ˌriːˈsaɪkld/
-ing form recycling
 
/ˌriːˈsaɪklɪŋ/
 
/ˌriːˈsaɪklɪŋ/
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  1. recycle something to treat things that have already been used so that they can be used again
    • to recycle waste/rubbish
    • Denmark recycles nearly 85% of its paper.
    • recycled materials
    • recycled plastic/glass/paper
    • Salt water is recycled using a special filter.
    • recycle something into something The bottles were being recycled into a lower-quality product.
    • recycle something from something He makes his own fuel from used grease recycled from local restaurants.
    Collocations The environmentThe 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
    • dispose of/​throw away litter/(especially British English) rubbish/(especially North American English) garbage/(North American English) trash/​sewage
    • 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 fitted with/​be powered by solar panels
    Extra Examples
    • These materials are recycled into other packaging products.
    • made of plastic recycled from old packaging material
    Topics The environmenta2
    Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadverb
    • endlessly
    preposition
    • from
    • into
    phrases
    • can be recycled
    • recycled waste, paper, materials, etc.
    See full entry
  2. recycle something to use the same ideas, methods, jokes, etc. again
    • He recycled all his old jokes.
    • They endlessly recycle the same worn-out arguments.
    Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadverb
    • endlessly
    preposition
    • from
    • into
    phrases
    • can be recycled
    • recycled waste, paper, materials, etc.
    See full entry
See recycle in the Oxford Advanced American DictionarySee recycle in the Oxford Learner's Dictionary of Academic English
previously
adverb
 
 
From the Word list
Oxford 3000
B1
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