Recycling Symbols
If you're dealing in packaging, but more importantly the distribution of packaging to consumers, you need to know everything about Mandatory Labelling and On-Pack Recycling Labels.
Recycling Symbols
Below you’ll find a list of all the recycling labels currently in use across the UK market.
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. Whilst it doesn't relate to recycling in particular, 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.
This can also be used in conjunction with other types of Recycle Now symbols;
Rinse | Recycle
Lid On | Rinse
Flatten | Cap On
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 you should not place electronic items in your waste bin. Instead electrical items can be recycled a number of ways including, retailers and 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 type of resin used in the production of the plastic. Each resin is represented by chasing arrows surrounding a number from 1-7, and each has it’s own method of 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.