Recycling symbols explained

Please note that recycling collections and facilities may be affected by the COVID-19 situation. Please check with your local authority for updates about services. Read more

Packaging labels and recycling symbols are now appearing on lots of everyday items, and help us to identify how different types of packaging can be recycled.

The on-pack recycling label (or OPRL)

Look out for the following labels which appear on all sorts of packaging - from soft drink cans, to bread bags and plastic toiletry bottles. They will tell you whether the packaging is likely to be collected for recycling or if you can take it to your local recycling centre.

As local authorities do not all collect the same materials, the labels are based on what the majority collect, or do not collect.

If in doubt, enter your postcode into our Recycling Locator to find out what you can put in your recycling bin at home, where your nearest recycling locations are and how to recycle specific items such as mobile phones and textiles.

Remember: not all packaging will have a recycling label but this doesn't mean you can't recycle it.

Other symbols

The following symbols can be found on a variety of packaging and explain a range of information: whether or not an item can be recycled, how to dispose of the item, or if it's made of recycled material.

Widely Recycled

This label is applied to packaging that is collected by 75% or more of local authorities across the UK, for example plastic bottles.

Widely Recycled - Rinse

Rinsing packaging, for example food trays, ensures that any food residue doesn’t contaminate other materials, particularly if they are collected together with paper.

It also helps to stop attracting vermin into the recycling sorting centres where people work.

The Green Dot The Green Dot does not necessarily mean that the packaging is recyclable, will be recycled or has been recycled. It is a symbol used on packaging in some European countries and signifies that the producer has made a financial contribution towards the recovery and recycling of packaging in Europe.
Mobius Loop This indicates that an object is capable of being recycled, not that the object has been recycled or will be accepted in all recycling collection systems. Sometimes this symbol is used with a percentage figure in the middle to explain that the packaging contains x% of recycled material.
Plastic resin codes This identifies the type of plastic resin used to make the item by providing a 'Resin Identification Code'. It is represented with a 'chasing arrows' symbol surrounding a a number between 1 and 7 that defines the resin used. More about how to recycle plastic bottles
Glass This symbol asks that you recycle the glass container. Please dispose of glass bottles and jars in a bottle bank, remembering to separate colours, or use your glass household recycling collection if you have one. More about how to recycle glass
Recyclable aluminium This symbol indicates that the item is made from recyclable aluminium. More about how to recycle aluminium foil packaging
Recyclable steel This symbol means that the product is made of steel. All local authorities collect steel cans for recycling. Other steel or metal items can be taken to your household recycling centre. More about how to recycle food and drink cans
Tidyman This symbol from Keep Britain Tidy asks you not to litter. It doesn't relate to recycling but is a reminder to be a good citizen, disposing of the item in the most appropriate manner.
Waste electricals This symbol explains that you should not place the electrical item in the general waste. Electrical items can be recycled through a number of channels. Find out how to recycle electrical items
Compostable Products certified to be industrially compostable according to the European standard EN 13432/14955 may bear the 'seedling' logo. Never place compostable plastic into the recycling with other plastics; as it is designed to break down it cannot be recycled and contaminates recyclable plastics. Plastics that carry this symbol can be recycled with your garden waste through your local authority.
Home composting In addition to the seedling symbol for industrial composting, you may see this one which means that it is suitable to be home composted.
Paper, card and wood The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) logo identifies wood-based products from well managed forests independently certified in accordance with the rules of the FSC. More about how to recycle wood, paper or cardboard