reciclaje
nounCEFR B1
What does “reciclaje” mean in English?
recycling
recycling (the process of converting waste into reusable material — el reciclaje de plástico, fomentar el reciclaje)
Example sentences
El reciclaje de envases reduce la cantidad de residuos que acaban en los vertederos, aunque sigue siendo insuficiente.
The recycling of packaging reduces the amount of waste that ends up in landfills, although it is still insufficient.
Para mejorar el reciclaje, muchas ciudades han introducido un sistema de depósito sobre los envases de bebidas.
To improve recycling, many cities have introduced a deposit return scheme on drinks containers.
El reciclaje no es suficiente por sí solo; reducir el consumo es el primer paso antes de reciclar lo que ya se ha usado.
Recycling alone is not sufficient; reducing consumption is the first step before recycling what has already been used.
How to use it
El reciclaje means 'recycling' — the process of converting waste materials into reusable materials. It is masculine (el reciclaje). It is the noun derived from reciclar. At B1 the key distinction is between el reciclaje (the concept/system) and reciclar (the everyday action). Common collocates: el reciclaje de plástico/papel/vidrio, fomentar el reciclaje, centro de reciclaje, tasa de reciclaje.
Common mistake
El reciclaje (the noun) and reciclar (the verb) are not interchangeable. Students sometimes say *hacer el reciclaje where reciclar in a verbal phrase is more natural. In everyday Spanish, simply say reciclamos (we recycle) rather than *hacemos el reciclaje. The noun appears primarily in official, statistical, or descriptive contexts, not in describing daily personal habits.