Lots of different symbols are now appearing on packaging to advise consumers and promote environmental claims. With packaging quite often being produced for a worldwide market, there can be considerable confusion about what each symbol means.
With this in mind, we have produced a guide to the variety of commonly used recycling symbols that you might find on some of the everyday items you buy.
Please remember that what ultimately determines whether a product can be recycled is the availability of secure, local, ethical and sustainable markets. Do not rely on symbols, logos, or the claims of retailers. For a full list of what can and cannot be recycled in your recycling bin, please click here
General
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The Recycle Now icon is designed to be the recognised symbol for recycling and to motivate people into action. The curved arrow represents the action and sustainability of recycling. The heart signifies the feel-good nature of the recycling activity. |
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The Mobius Loop has no precise meaning. It is generally understood to be the international symbol for recycling, but the use of the symbol is entirely voluntary.
A % indicates that a certain quantity of recycled material has been used in the production of the packaging. This is commonly found on cardboard. |
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The Green Dot is a symbol used in many European countries. It shows that the producer of the packaging has made a financial contribution towards its recovery and recycling, in the country of origin or sale. This symbol has no relevance in the UK, and does not indicate that the item can be recycled locally. |
Plastics
There are 6 different types of plastic polymer commonly used to make packaging. The symbol used to identify the type of polymer is a triangle with a number inside it and some letters underneath. Unfortunately the triangle does not mean that the packaging can be recycled and the council recommends that residents ignore this symbol on packaging.
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Polyethylene terephthalate |
High-density polyethylene |
Polyvinyl chloride |
Low-density polyethylene |
Polypropylene |
Polystyrene |
Metals
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This symbol means the packaging is made from aluminium. |
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This symbol means the packaging is made from steel. |
Electrical and Electronic Items
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The crossed-out wheelie bin can be found on items such as batteries, electrical and electronic items, which are covered by the WEEE Directive. These can all be recycled at your local Household Waste Recycling Centre. For more information, please click here |
Compostable
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This is a very new symbol, which means that the packaging is suitable for home composting. You can buy cut-price compost bins through the Recycle Now Home Composting offer. For further information, please click here |
Still Confused?
If there is a symbol or logo you don't understand, please e-mail us on recycling@basingstoke.gov.uk