Abstract Recycling of synthetic fiber composites—primarily fiberglass and carbon-fiber systems—is a growing priority as end-of-life materials accumulate across aerospace, automotive, and wind energy industries. This article surveys the three principal recycling approaches—mechanical, thermal, and chemical—with emphasis on carbon-fiber-reinforced thermoplastic and thermoset composites, and reviews end-use applications for recycled materials including permeable pavement, porous asphalt, and commodity plastic reinforcement. Life-cycle analysis findings confirm that all recycling strategies offer environmental advantages over landfilling, with mechanical recycling remaining the most commercially viable option.