Recycling (as an industry) is the collection, separation, recovery and sale or reuse of metals, glass, paper, organic waste, plastics and other materials which would otherwise be disposed or processed as municipal waste.Recycling (as a process) involves breaking the material down into smaller pieces that can be used as feedstock in another manufacturing process. Examples are the shredding and pulping of paper; melting glass; shredding or melting plastic; composting organic waste.