What term is used to describe the processing of used materials into new products?

The term that describes the processing of used materials into new products is recycling. This process involves collecting materials that would otherwise be considered waste and transforming them into new products through various methods such as reprocessing, remanufacturing, or recovering certain components. Recycling not only helps reduce the volume of waste that ends up in landfills but also conserves natural resources and energy by minimizing the need to extract and process virgin materials.

Recycling is an important component of waste management as it contributes to a more sustainable environment by reducing pollution and the consumption of raw materials. It plays a crucial role in promoting a circular economy, where materials are continuously cycled back into the production process rather than being discarded. The other options, such as reusing (which focuses on using items again in their current form), disposal (involves discarding waste), and waste minimization (prioritizing the reduction of waste generated), do not specifically refer to the creation of new products from used materials, making recycling the most fitting answer for the question.