Definitely depends on what…

idk, cardboard

I mean, if you do it yourself and like reuse it for something else or make other paper or whatever out of it, sure.

Pretty sure that’s a yes

i’ve noticed in a lot of places the trash and recycling bins both get emptied into the same dumpster

hmm that’s reusing not recycling

Tomato, tomato. But, yes, there are SOME small recycling centers that melt down the plastics and stuff but they are costly and don't even make a dent in the amount of trash produced by the world. So the best way to "recycle" is to reuse individually.

ONLY THE RECYCLING OF THE TERM RECYCLING IS REAL

This. Aluminium recycling is real. Copper and steel too, though the outcome is an inferior product. Glass can be economic where energy is cheap, but its a net negative for the environment, better to bury it and make more. Everything else is a fiat-subsidised grift. Especially mixed plastics.