Recycling Symbols: What Do They Mean?

Mobius Loop

This indicates that an object is capable of being recycled but it may not necessarily be accepted by all recycling collection systems.

The Green Dot

Typically green, the Dot does not mean that the packaging is recyclable, will be or has been recycled.

Tidy Man

This symbol from Keep Britain Tidy asks you not to litter, it's use is to remind consumers to be good citizens.

Widely Recycled

This symbol is applied to 75% or more of the UK local authorities, then sorted, processed and recycled into new packaging or products.

Not Yet Recycled

This symbol is applied to packaging collected by less than 50% of UK local authorities, or is not able to be sorted, processed and recycled.
This can be used with other Recycle Now symbols to denote which areas of packaging can or cannot be recycled.

WEEE Recycling

This symbol explains that waste electricals should not be placed in regular refuse, and instead recycled through retailers or household waste management centres.

Aluminium Recycling

The symbol indicates that the item is made from recyclable aluminium.

Glass Recycling

This symbol indicates that you can recycle the glass containers. Glass bottles/jars can be disposed of using a bottle bank (remembering to separate colours) or through household recycling.

Steel Recycling

This symbol indicates that the product/packaging is made from steel and can be recycled by your local authority.

FSC Symbol

The Forest Stewardship Council symbol identifies wood-based products that have come from well managed forests.
Both independent registration and approval is required before the symbol can be used.

Seedling

Products certified as industrially compostable may bear the 'Seedling' symbol.
Bioplastics should never be recycled with other plastics, and instead recycled with garden waste through the local authority.

OK Compost/OK Compost Home

There are two versions of this symbol:
The one above identifies packaging that can be composted on an industrial level.
The other identifies packaging that can be composted at home.

Plastic Resin Codes

These codes identify the types of resin used in the production of plastic. Each resin is represented by chasing arrows with a number at it's centre.
Each has it's own method or recycling.

PET

Used for drinks bottles and some food packaging.
Widely recycled.

HDPE

Used for cleaning product bottles, milk cartons, etc.
Widely recycled.

PVC

Used for car parts, window fittings, etc.
Not easily recycled.

LDPE

Used for plastic bags and wrapping.
Recycle at specialist points.

PP

Used for plastic tubs and trays.
Widely recycled.

PS

Used for takeaway boxes and disposable cutlery.
Not easily recycled.

Other

Used for food packages, e.g. crisps, noodles, sauce packets.
Recycle at specialist points.