One type of recycling, called downcycling, involves repurposing a material into a new product of lesser quality. It can include varying grades of plastic, paper products, and other materials.

Downeycling     1     (know) as downstream recycling. It is most common in terms of     2     (industry) materials. These products lose their value as they are recycled,     3     limits their capacity for new use. Their recycled form is typically both weaker and cheaper     4     their original one. White writing paper, for example, is often downcycled into cardboard; once downcycled to this new form, it can no longer be used as white paper again.

    5     (give) products a new life is considered a good way to reuse materials and avoid waste. Once downcycled to their full capacity however, these materials are eventually so degraded that they cannot be reused further. Since downcycled products are considered of lower quality than their original form, they cannot be used in remaking their original product.

Products are provided with codes     6     (determine) their grades and whether or not they may be recycled. Plastic, glass, and aluminium products     7     (code) with the number one may be remade into something     8     equal or greater value. This type of recycling is known as upcycling, and represents the forward compatibility of recycled components.

Items available for downcycling often require additional chemicals, energy,     9     other treatments in order to transform them into something usable. Durable plastic products in particular require much additional treatment. Trash bins, tables, and chairs are also considered materials with     10     high energy cost to recycle.