Recycling involves the processing of materials (waste) into new products in order to avoid wastage of materials and allow a reduction in the consumption of virgin raw materials.

The processes used in the recycling are diverse, through the cutting and fragmentation of the waste. To do this, components such as knives and hammers are used.

The waste is also varied and can be metals (Aluminium, Steel or Iron), paper, rubber (tires), plastics, wood and glass fibres.
In this way, tool steels must have different characteristics depending on the waste to be recycled.

In the case of metal processing, and depending on the characteristics of the metal (ductile aluminium or high tensile steel), adhesive wear resistance and/or seizing will be required, or even high toughness and resistance to fragmentation.