The recycling process begins with the collection of recyclable materials, such as paper, plastic, glass, and metal. These materials are then sorted at recycling facilities to separate them from non-recyclable waste. Once sorted, they are cleaned to remove any contaminants, making them suitable for processing. After cleaning, the recyclable materials are processed into raw materials. For example, plastic is shredded and melted down, while glass is crushed and melted. These raw materials are then used to create new products, reducing the need for virgin resources and minimizing environmental impact.