How It’s Made Recycling

How It’s Made Recycling
Quizzed ESL Activities

Recycling Process Summary

  1. Initial Sorting: Recyclables are sorted into cardboard/paper and plastics/glass/metals.
  2. Sorting Facility: Items are further sorted into designated zones and categories.
  3. Paper and Cardboard Sorting: Materials are categorized into corrugated cardboard, newsprint, and mixed fiber paper.
  4. Plastics, Metals, and Glass Sorting: Items are sorted into separate categories, including aluminum, Plastics, clear glass, and colored glass.
  5. Compaction and Transportation: Sorted materials are compacted, bound with wire, and prepared for sale to recyclers.
  6. Recycling Plant Process: Plastics are shredded, cleaned, melted, and shaped into pallets for use in producing new plastic products.
Term Definition Example Usage
Sorting Facility A location where recyclables are further sorted into designated zones and categories. “The recyclables were taken to a sorting facility to be separated into different materials.”
Compaction The process of compressing recyclables into smaller, more manageable units. “The sorted materials were compacted into large bundles before being transported to the recycling plant.”
Recycling Plant A facility where recyclables are processed and transformed into raw materials for use in producing new products. “The plastics were taken to a recycling plant where they were melted and shaped into pallets.”
Corrugated Cardboard A type of cardboard with a wavy, fluted layer between two smooth layers. “The corrugated cardboard was sorted and baled separately from other paper products.”
Mixed Fiber Paper A type of paper product made from a combination of different fibers, such as wood pulp and recycled paper. “The mixed fiber paper was sorted and processed separately from other paper products.”
Downcycling The process of converting a material into a lower-quality product, often due to the limitations of the recycling process. “The plastics were downcycled into lower-quality products, such as park benches and playground equipment.”
Post-Consumer Waste Waste generated by households and businesses after a product has been used and discarded. “The recycling program aimed to reduce post-consumer waste by encouraging residents to recycle more.”
Material Recovery Facility (MRF) A facility that separates and processes recyclables into raw materials for use in producing new products. “The MRF was equipped with advanced technology to sort and process recyclables efficiently.”
Recyclable Materials Materials that can be collected, processed, and transformed into raw materials for use in producing new products. “The community collected recyclable materials, including paper, plastics, glass, and metals, for processing at the MRF.”
Waste Management The process of collecting, transporting, and disposing of waste in a responsible and environmentally friendly manner. “The city implemented a comprehensive waste management program to reduce waste and increase recycling rates.”

Recycling Process Vocabulary Quiz

  1. What does the term “corrugated” refer to in the context of cardboard?

    • A) A type of plastic used in packaging
    • B) A type of cardboard with a wavy layer
    • C) A type of glass used in bottles
    • D) A type of metal used in cans
  2. What is the primary purpose of a “Sorting Facility” in the recycling process?

    • A) To compact and transport recyclables
    • B) To shred and melt plastics
    • C) To further sort items into designated zones and categories
    • D) To produce new plastic products
  3. What is the term for the process of binding sorted materials with wire to prepare them for sale?

    • A) Compaction
    • B) Shredding
    • C) Melting
    • D) Transportation
  4. What is the term for a mixture of different types of paper?

    • A) Newsprint
    • B) Mixed fiber paper
    • C) Corrugated cardboard
    • D) Colored glass
  5. What is the term for the process of changing the shape of a material to make it more compact?

    • A) Shredding
    • B) Melting
    • C) Compaction
    • D) Transportation

Answer Key

  1. B) A type of cardboard with a wavy layer
  2. C) To further sort items into designated zones and categories
  3. A) Compaction
  4. B) Mixed fiber paper
  5. C) Compaction

The Passive Voice in Processes

The passive voice is often used to describe processes, focusing on the actions rather than the people performing them. In the given text, we can see the use of the passive voice in sentences like “Recyclables are sorted into cardboard/paper and plastics/glass/metals.” and “Items are further sorted into designated zones and categories.” This construction is used to emphasize the process itself, rather than who is performing the action. The passive voice is typically formed using the verb “to be” in the correct tense, followed by the past participle of the main verb.

Quiz Time!

  1. Which of the following sentences is an example of the passive voice?

  2. Which of the following is the correct form of the passive voice in the present simple tense?

  3. Which of the following sentences is NOT an example of the passive voice?

  4. Which of the following is the correct form of the passive voice in the past simple tense?

  5. Why is the passive voice often used to describe processes?

Answer Key

  1. B) Recyclables are sorted into cardboard/paper and plastics/glass/metals.
  2. C) The materials are sorted.
  3. B) The recycling team sorts items into designated zones and categories.
  4. C) The materials were sorted.
  5. B) To emphasize the actions themselves, rather than who is performing them.

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