Understanding the different Recycling Symbols

When ensuring that a product is recycled correctly, recycling symbols are a very useful tool. Recycling symbols are primarily found on product packaging, their distinctive design and colour features allow users to gain information about a product at a glance, allowing for simple, convenient recycling. These symbols offer all kinds of information about a product. Some labels simply state whether or not a product can be recycled, others offer more detailed information about any protocols that should be followed when recycling the product – or even if it’s been recycled before.

Often, the effectiveness of recycling can be hindered by the public failing to understand the details of particular recycling practices. On one hand, eye catching symbols can make recycling simpler, on the other, many may not be aware of the meaning of the symbols they see. Understanding these labels helps increase the efficiency of recycling starting at the earliest stage.

In this blog from Great Western Recycling, we offer a guide to understanding different recycling symbols. For more articles about recycling and waste disposal, as well as information about our services, take a look at our blog.

Recycling Symbols Explained

As previously noted, recycling symbols can offer range of information about a product. Unfortunately, many can look similar at a glance – but their differences are important. Below we will note a variety of recycling symbols, highlighting their features, meanings and noting products they are particularly relevant to.

Recycle

Perhaps the simplest of commonplace symbols, the recycle symbol simply offers information about whether or not a product is suitable for any form of recycling. This symbol is found on packaging that can be collected by 75% or more of local council collections operating in the UK. Once products marked with this label are collected by such schemes, they are sorted, processed and recycled into new packaging or products.

A green square with a white arrow in the square going clockwise. With recycle written below the box

Don’t Recycle

In contrast, the don’t recycle symbol is placed upon products that are less readily recycled. The packaging of products featuring this label are collected by fewer than 50% of local council recycling schemes, marking them as more challenging to recycle effectively.

A back square with a white arrow in the square going clockwise with a line cutting across the box. With don't recycle written below the box

Recycle | Rinse

Recycling symbols don’t always function to state whether or not a product’s packaging can be recycled. Symbols such as this one offer information about the procedure that must be followed in for that item to be recycled. Packing for yoghurts, soup tins and similar commonly feature this symbol. This label helps ensure that any product residue doesn’t contaminate other materials during the recycling process.

A green square with a white arrow in the square going clockwise. With Rise written above the box and recycle written below the box

Recycle | Rinse | Lid on

Lid on recycling symbols serve an efficiency maximising function for recycling centres. When recycling products with smaller caps (less than 40mm in diameter), product lids can easily be lost within the recycling process when processed separately to their bottle. By requesting that a package is recycled, lid on – the likelihood of caps being effectively processed maximises the efficiency of the recycling.

A green square with a white arrow in the square going clockwise. With lid on written above the box and recycle written below the box

Recycle with Bags at Large Supermarkets

This symbol is of particular importance when organising recycling at home. Product packaging that features this label must be taken to supermarket recycling points and cannot be collected by authority organised home collections.

Products that fall under this category include bread bags, crisp packets and chocolate wrappers. These products can be dropped into recycling points at selected supermarkets.

A back arrow shaped in a circle pointing in a clockwise position, below is a green box containing the phrase Recycle with bags at large supermarkets. Below the box is the phrase Don't recycle at home.

Recycle | Bottle Cap On | Don’t Recycle | Remove Sleeve

Unlike cap on packaging requirements, some products need to be separated prior to recycling. This instruction is more typical for products that feature sleeves or other easily removable components. In the majority of instances, these two components will offer different opportunities for recycling.

On the left the phrase Cap on is above a green box with a white circuluar arrow with the word bottle. Below this box is the word recycle. To the right of the image is the phrase remove sleeve, Below is a black box with a white circular arrow pointing clockwise with a line going diagonally across the box. Below the arrow is the word, sleeve. Below the box is the word, Don't recycle.

Other Recycling Symbols

Glass

This symbol can be found on recyclable glass containers – marking that this particular package is suitable for recycling. The actions prompted by this symbol include dropping glass bottles and jars off at a bottle bank or utilising household recycling collection in the event of your local scheme covering glass.

Paper Card & Wood

This symbol from the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) indicates that a product has been produced using wood from FSC approved, well managed forests.

Waste Electrical

This commonly seen logo can be found on a variety of electrical products. This symbol reminds us that electricals should not be disposed of with our general household waste.

An outline image of a general waste refuge bin with a black cross across the image.

Recycle with Confidence with Great Western Recycling

Here at Great Western Recycling – we’re here to offer businesses reliable, industry backed advice on waste disposal and recycling. Our expert team are on hand to offer advice tailored to your situation and our comprehensive range of waste and recycling services span a range of business needs. For more information about how Great Western Recycling can help your business, Get in touch today!