Once considered an optional lifestyle choice, recycling has become a commonplace activity in most areas. One type of recycling, called downcycling, involves re-purposing a material into a new product of lesser quality. 【小题1】

Downcycling is also known as downstream recycling. It is most common in terms of industrial materials. These products lose their value as they are recycled, which limits their capacity for new use. 【小题2】 White writing paper, for example, is often downcycled into cardboard; once downcycled to this new form, it can no longer be used as white paper again. Another example of downcycling includes the use of plastic components.

Giving products a new life is considered a good way to reuse materials and avoid waste. Once downcycled to their full capacity, however, these materials are eventually so degraded that they cannot be reused further. Since downcycled products are considered of lower quality than their original form, they cannot be used in remaking their original product.

【小题3】 Plastic, glass, and aluminium products coded with the number one may be remade into something of equal or greater value. This type of recycling is known as upcycling, and represents the forward compatibility of recycled components. Materials available for downcycling, such as water, juice, and milk bottles, are coded with the number two. 【小题4】

Items available for downcycling often require additional chemicals, energy, and other treatments in order to transform them into something usable. Durable plastic products in particular require much additional treatment. Trash bins, tables, and chairs are also considered materials with a high energy cost to recycle.

When a product reaches a code seven, it is considered no longer recyclable. 【小题5】 Since these products can no longer be made into new ones, they will either have to be reused or discarded, typically in a landfill.