Final answer:
The term for the limited recyclable life of certain materials is downcycling, referring to recycling that results in materials that are only suitable for less demanding uses, leading to eventual disposal.
Step-by-step explanation:
The term for the limited recyclable life of certain materials is downcycling. When materials are downcycled, they are recycled in a way that makes them suitable for less demanding applications, due to a degradation of properties or purity. This means that each time these materials are recycled, they lose some of their quality or functionality, eventually becoming unusable for recycling and necessitating disposal.
Recycling is a key element in waste management, aiming at converting waste into new products to prevent the waste of potentially useful materials. The plastic recycling process, for instance, involves recovering scrap or used plastics and reprocessing them into different applications, such as plastic furniture or carpets. Nevertheless, the energy costs of collecting, transporting, and processing these materials for reuse can sometimes outweigh the benefits, particularly for materials that undergo downcycling.