Decoding Recycling Symbols

It can be difficult to know whether a product is recyclable, what each symbol means and whether they actually mean your items will be recycled.

We’ve compiled a quick guide to the most common recycling symbols and what they really mean.

1. The Green Dot

The most commonly misinterpreted symbol, the Green Dot indicates that the product's manufacturer has financially contributed to the cost of recovery and recycling, but not that the item can be recycled.

2. Mobius Loop

This symbol indicates that a product is recyclable.

3. The Tidy Man

The Tidy Man encourages people to dispose of litter responsibly and with regard for the environment.

4. Glass Recycling

This symbol serves as a reminder to recycle glass at a bottle bank, or if available, at kerbside recycling collections.

5. Widely Recycled

This symbol is found on packaging that is collected by 75% or more of local authorities across the UK. Check if the words ‘rinse’ and ‘lid on’ are also mentioned.

6. Check Locally

This label is for packaging that is collected by 20-75% of local authorities in the UK. 

7. Remove Sleeve

Depending on the packaging, you may need to remove an outer sleeve to recycle the container.

8. Plastic Resin Code

This symbol identifies the type of plastic resin that was used to make the item, by providing a ‘Resin Identification Code’ between 1 and 7. Find out what each code means here.

9. The ‘Seedling’

This European-wide label informs that the material is bioplastic and can not be composted by industrial processors.

If this symbol is stamped on any packaging, it indicates that the item cannot be recycled.

10. Paper, Card and Wood

The Forest Stewardship Council symbol indicated that the product is made of wood and comes from well-managed forests that have been independently certified in accordance with FSC rules.