What does the term 'recovery' typically refer to in waste management?

In the context of waste management, 'recovery' specifically refers to the processes that extract value from waste materials, primarily in the form of energy or raw materials. This encompasses methods such as converting waste into heat or electricity, which helps reduce the volume of waste sent to landfills and provides alternative energy sources.

Generating heat and electricity from waste is a crucial component of modern waste management practices, as it allows for the recovery of energy that can be used for heating or as electricity, contributing to more sustainable energy systems. This process can significantly diminish reliance on fossil fuels and support a circular economy by utilizing resources that would otherwise be discarded.

While recycling products is a vital part of waste management, it is just one aspect of recovery, which is broader and includes various methods like incineration with energy recovery. Purchasing new materials and expanding landfill sites do not align with the concept of recovery in the waste management hierarchy, as they tend to focus on resource consumption and disposal rather than maximizing the utility of waste.