unrecyclable

adjective

un·​re·​cy·​cla·​ble ˌən-(ˌ)rē-ˈsī-k(ə-)lə-bəl How to pronounce unrecyclable (audio)
: unable to be recycled : not recyclable
unrecyclable waste
unrecyclable plastics

Examples of unrecyclable in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Residents have a habit of coming up with new, creative initiatives to push stewardship education, like Precious Plastics, which gives unrecyclable plastic a second life, and even created an art piece out of recycled materials named Isak Heartstone. Kathleen Wong, USA TODAY, 28 May 2023 The goal would be to significantly reduce the production of unrecyclable plastics and take them out of products and material value chains. The Arizona Republic, 3 May 2023 Lawmakers heard testimony for the bill on Monday evening, which also includes converting many homes with unrecyclable septic tanks for wastewater to the county’s recyclable sewage system in the coming decades. Gabe Stern, BostonGlobe.com, 14 Mar. 2023 In both cases, be sure to remove the lid or any pumps, which are often made of a different material or unrecyclable combinations of materials. Neeti Mehra, Treehugger, 7 Feb. 2023 Single stream is convenient and may encourage broader participation, but contamination can render materials unrecyclable. Nara Schoenberg, Chicago Tribune, 6 Oct. 2022 While recycling cotton-poly blends would take a big bite out of the apparel industry’s overall waste problem, the materials in more technical apparel are, as of yet, unrecyclable. Laura Onstot, Outside Online, 6 Apr. 2021 The ocean protection agency suggested that California move this year to prohibit the sale and distribution of cigarette filters, electronic cigarettes, plastic cigar tips, and unrecyclable tobacco product packaging. James Rainey, Los Angeles Times, 23 Feb. 2022 The change did also nudge many US cities to improve their recycling infrastructure to accept previously unrecyclable goods, like pizza boxes, but San Francisco leads the way. Nathan Mattise, Rolling Stone, 15 Oct. 2021

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'unrecyclable.' 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

1960, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of unrecyclable was in 1960

Dictionary Entries Near unrecyclable

Cite this Entry

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

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