Meaning
A recycling bin or collection box used for gathering recyclable materials like paper, plastic, glass, and metal. The term literally means 'recovery box' and is commonly seen in public spaces, offices, and residential areas in Chinese-speaking regions.
Usage
This is a standard, neutral term used in both formal and informal contexts. You'll see 回收箱 labeled on public bins throughout China, Taiwan, and other Chinese-speaking areas. Often appears with modifiers specifying the type of recyclables, such as 塑料回收箱 (plastic recycling bin) or 纸类回收箱 (paper recycling bin).
Examples
- 01请把塑料瓶放进回收箱里。.Please put the plastic bottles into the recycling bin.
- 02学校在每个教室都设置了回收箱。.The school has set up recycling bins in every classroom.
Characters
Measure words
- 个一个回收箱
- 只三只回收箱
Common collocations
- 把...扔进回收箱...to throw ... into the recycling bin
- 放入回收箱to put into the recycling bin
- 回收箱里in the recycling bin
Origin
Compound word combining 回收 (recycle, literally 'return-collect') with 箱 (box). The concept emerged with modern environmental awareness and waste management systems in Chinese-speaking societies.