Downcycling refers to recycling into products of lesser quality.

• A. True
• B. False
• C. It does not involve recycling
• D. It increases the product value

Answer: (A)

Downcycling is the process of recycling a material into a new product that has lower quality or reduced functionality than the original material. This matches the statement, so it’s true. For example, recycling plastic bottles into lower-grade plastic pellets for textiles or packaging, or turning mixed paper into cardboard or paperboard. The idea is that while the material is reused, its properties or value aren’t preserved. This differs from upcycling, where the recycled material is transformed into something of equal or higher value. The other options don’t fit because downcycling does involve recycling, it does not increase product value, and it is not about avoiding recycling.