In general a recycling process has the following steps: (1) Collection, (2) Sorting and (3) Processing.

1. Collection

Discarded products or materials are collected through, for example, curbside collection or drop-off centers. The products and materials are transported to recycling facilities.

2. Sorting

Sorting materials by type is important to keep recycling rates high. There are many different sorting activities, depending on the kind of waste. Sometimes (part) of the sorting is done by hand, sometimes it is an automated process. 

3. Processing

Once sorted, the products or materials are processed to retrieve the raw materials, and the raw materials are then used in manufacturing recycled-content products.

The method of processing varies for different materials. Many products need to be shredded to extract the basic elements or raw materials (e.g. fiber in paper). Glass, aluminum and steel need to be melted into a liquid form and then remolded into new products.

THE OREGONIAN, 2008. Workers sort recyclable material at the Far West Fibers recycling facility. Source:  http://www.bottlebill.org/news/articles/2009/OR-5-18-RecyclingDontAbandon-op.htm