The diagram illustrates the process of recycling glass and plastic containers. It displays the cycle from collection before recycling until it ends with new recycled products. The diagram includes the period of time it takes for recycled containers to reach the recycling centre, approximately five to ten days. In addition to, the period it takes for new recycled containers to be collected, which takes from three to eight weeks.
In regards to plastic, after transport to the recycling centre, sorting based on thickness and quality is done to ensure plastic bundling is efficient. The bundles then proceed to the shredding phase before the washing stage. At this stage, the plastic is ready to be melted and reshaped to become a new product.
In contrast to glass, the cycle starts by sorting varying glass by color. The sorted glass then continues to the crushing and washing stage of the cycle. The next stage represents one key difference between the plastic and glass cycles; for glass the melting and reshaping stages are achieved using two machines opposite to in the plastic cycle where the melting and reshaping occur in one stage by one machine. The new recycled glass is then sent off as new products.