Which recycling category is recycled into the same product?

• A. Open-loop Recycling
• B. Closed-Loop Recycling
• C. Downcycling
• D. Composting

Answer: (B)

Closed-loop recycling is when a material is recovered and reprocessed into the same product or a product of similar quality, so it can be recycled again and again without losing its usefulness. For example, glass bottles can be melted and formed into new bottles, and aluminum cans can be remanufactured into new cans, preserving the same application cycle. This contrasts with open-loop recycling, where the material is turned into a different, often lower-quality item, which isn’t readily recycled back into the original product. Downcycling follows a similar idea, producing lower-grade products that can’t be recycled into the original item. Composting handles organic waste, turning it into soil amendments rather than producing the same material product.