Recycling is an essential part of EPA's overall plan for reducing the amount of waste we generate. Recycling turns materials that would otherwise become waste into valuable resources and generates a host of environmental, financial, and social benefits. Materials such as glass, metal, plastics, and paper are collected and sent to facilities that can process them into new materials or products. This process redirects millions of tons of waste away from land fills and incinerators and helps reduce deforestation and the production of greenhouse gas emissions. EPA also offers guidance documents and other support to individual communities wishing to undertake recycling programs.
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