Recycling is the process of collecting and processing materials that would otherwise be thrown away as trash and turning them into new products. Common recyclable materials include paper, plastic, glass and metal. Recycling helps conserve natural resources and keeps reusable materials out of landfills. The document also discusses Earth Day, which is celebrated annually on April 22nd to raise awareness about protecting the environment. It provides simple actions people can take to be more environmentally friendly like reducing waste and reusing items.