A thermoplastic composition comprising recovered poly(arylene ether), less than or equal to 0.1 weight percent based on the total weight of the thermoplastic composition of a second recovered thermoplastic that gives off greater than or equal to 10 percent by mass of volatiles at a processing temperature for the thermoplastic composition; 0.025 to 4.0 weight percent, based on the total weight of the thermoplastic composition, of a third recovered thermoplastic selected from the group consisting of polyolefin, acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene, polycarbonate, polycarbonate/acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene blend, polymethyl methacrylate, polyamide, polyester, polycarbonate/polyester blend and combinations of two or more of the foregoing third recovered thermoplastics, wherein combinations of two or more of the foregoing third recovered thermoplastics are present in an amount of less than or equal to 10 weight percent, based on the total weight of the thermoplastic composition; and an optional virgin thermoplastic.