How many times can it be recycled?

Last Updated : 11 Aug 2016
newspaper for recycling

We know recycling is much better for the environment than committing used items forever to landfill.

However it’s also worth knowing that there is often a finite number of times some materials can be recycled before they are unusable and have to go to landfill.

  • Plastic has fibres a bit like paper, and the fibres shorten each time it is recycled. This means plastic can be recycled 7-9 times before it is no longer recyclable.
  • Every time paper is recycled the fibres shorten. It is estimated paper can be recycled 4-6 times.
  • Glass, steel and aluminium lose no quality during recycling and can be recycled endlessly.
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