Recyclable materials can be repurposed and processed into new products, but that does not mean they are renewable resources. For example, aluminum cans are recyclable and can be reused indefinitely without degrading their quality, yet the bauxite from which aluminum is derived is a finite, non-renewable mineral. Similarly, while paper can be recycled multiple times, it originates from trees, a renewable resource, but the rate at which forests are replenished may not keep pace with consumption, leading to deforestation. Therefore, a material being recyclable reflects its capacity to re-enter production cycles rather than its sustainability as a resource.
In three or five sentences, explain why recyclable does not necessarily equate to renewable. Give examples to support your explanation.
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