As contrasted with a secondary material, a virgin material is extracted from the earth, refined, and/or synthesized.

Aluminum beverage cans.

Solid waste management cost savings compared to disposal, resulting from a recycling or waste reduction program.

A machine used to compress and bind recyclable materials, such as paper, scrap metal, or rags.

Organic material that can be converted into basic compounds or elements by bacteria.

Back Recycling Center - A commercially located, staffed recycling facility that buys post-consumer secondary materials from the public. Buy-back centers usually buy aluminum cans and may also handle glass and paper. These materials are usually not processed at the buy-back center.

A large vehicle with an enclosed body that contains power-driven equipment for loading, compressing and distributing waste or recyclable materials within the vehicle.

A process of decomposing organic matter through the use of microorganisms.

Broken scrap glass that is clean and color-sorted, and is used to make new glass.

A service fee paid to an agency or company that disposes of discards. Garbage disposal requires fees to subsidize the cost of collection and landfills. A tipping fee is determined in dollars per ton.