nonrecyclable

adjective

non·​re·​cy·​cla·​ble ˌnän-(ˌ)rē-ˈsī-k(ə-)lə-bəl How to pronounce nonrecyclable (audio)
: incapable of being recycled
nonrecyclable plastic bags
the disposal of nonrecyclable waste
nonrecyclable noun
plural nonrecyclables
separates the recyclables from the nonrecyclables

Examples of nonrecyclable in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web My perfume arrived in a nonrecyclable bubble envelope, and inside was a linen bag that held the perfume vial. Kelly Laffey, Peoplemag, 15 May 2023 For products such as beef that generate high carbon emissions, the first priority should be using packaging that preserves the meat, even if that is nonrecyclable plastic, said Helen Bird, head of business collaboration at U.K. waste-reduction nonprofit WRAP. Saabira Chaudhuri, WSJ, 17 June 2022 Hines said the measure would primarily apply to situations where pickup crews observe trash bags sitting in recycling containers, not where someone throws in a single nonrecyclable piece of trash. Garrett Moore, Arkansas Online, 14 Dec. 2022 Gardner said more expenses have been incurred because many residents have been putting nonrecyclable materials in recycling carts. Garrett Moore, Arkansas Online, 14 Dec. 2022 What comes to the transfer station is the grossly heterogeneous and nonrecyclable mixture called municipal solid waste. Curbed, 12 Aug. 2022 Many consumer electronic companies have significantly reduced their reliance on single-use plastics and nonrecyclable packaging, which many in the industry agree was the low-hanging fruit of the current sustainability movement. Abigail Bassett, Fortune, 3 Oct. 2022 Stuff this bag with the other nonrecyclable thin plastic bags to create a neck rest or to block cold air from entering at doors and windows; use as packing filler; fill a drawer to keep items from slipping. Washington Post, 11 Sep. 2021 Its platform connects brands with local collection partners who collect nonrecyclable plastic in the coastal regions of developing countries. Amy Williams, Forbes, 5 Jan. 2022

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'nonrecyclable.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1970, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of nonrecyclable was in 1970

Dictionary Entries Near nonrecyclable

Cite this Entry

“Nonrecyclable.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nonrecyclable. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

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