Back to Glossary

Glossary Term

What is Closed-Loop Recycling?

Closed-loop recycling is a process in which a product or material is collected, reprocessed, and used to make the same type of product, minimizing waste and the need for virgin resources.

Learn More

More about What is Closed-Loop Recycling?

Closed-loop recycling keeps materials within a continuous production cycle, reducing environmental impact and conserving resources. Examples include aluminum cans recycled into new cans or glass bottles remade into new bottles. It differs from open-loop recycling, where recycled materials are repurposed into different products. Related terms include circular economy, resource recovery, and material reuse, all of which emphasize efficient material management and reducing reliance on virgin resources.