Requirements
| Material / Substance | Code | Number |
| Polyethylene terephthalate | PET | 1 |
| High Density Polyethylene | HDPE | 2 |
| Polyvinyl Chloride | PVC | 3 |
| Paper | PAP | 22 |
What do the symbols on recycling bins look like?
This symbol may look like a magnet-torch hybrid (Dragon’s Den here we come) but it actually shows that the product is made of recyclable steel. Waste electricals Waste electrical items - from household appliances to mobile phones and IT equipment - can be recycled if you see this symbol.
What does the 5 in the recycling symbol mean?
What does the 5 in the recycling symbol mean?
- PETE – Polyethylene Terephthalate. The easiest of plastics to recycle.
- HDPE – High density Polyethylene.
- PVC – Polyvinyl Chloride.
- LDPE Low-density Polyethylene.
- PP – Polypropylene.
- PS – Polystyrene.
- Other.
What packaging can you recycle?
You can recycle contact lens-related waste including:
- Cardboard box packaging
- Opened plastic blister packs
- Plastic solution bottles and cases
How to read plastic recycling symbols?
Other symbols
- The Green Dot. The Green Dot does not necessarily mean that the packaging is recyclable, will be recycled or has been recycled.
- Mobius Loop. ...
- Plastic resin codes. ...
- Glass. ...
- Recyclable aluminium. ...
- Recyclable steel. ...
- Tidyman. ...
- Waste electricals. ...
- Compostable. ...
- Home composting. ...
What does the universal recycling symbol mean?
As noted above, use of the universal recycling symbol with no accompanying text or numbers means that the packaging and product are made of 100% recycled materials and are recyclable in a substantial majority of U.S. communities.
What does the FTC symbol mean?
If the symbol includes no accompanying text or numbers, the FTC interprets it as meaning that the packaging and product are made of 100% recycled materials and are recyclable in a substantial majority of U.S. communities.
What does the three chasing arrows symbol mean?
In the United States, the familiar three chasing arrows symbol (sometimes called the Möbius loop) is ubiquitously known as the "recycling symbol.”. The Federal Trade Commission interprets the symbol as indicating that a package is capable of being recycled in areas where collection facilities for the material exist.
What does the recycling symbol mean?
Recycling symbols & what they mean. Recycling symbols that appear on packaging are designed to inform but can often complicate the matter, meaning our waste has been ending up in the wrong place or even putting people off recycling altogether. According to WRAP up to 80% of potentially recyclable rubbish goes to landfills in the UK.
Why is the green dot misleading?
This widely used symbol can be misleading because it doesn’t necessarily mean you can recycle the item or if it’s made from recycled materials.
What to do before recycling goes off?
Two more helpful parts you can play before your recycling goes off to be processed is keeping lids on so they don’t get stuck in machinery and flatting items like plastic bottles that will make transporting it more efficient with less air.
Why are millennials less likely to recycle?
Millennials are often branded as the eco-warriors who are trying to turn the tide on waste flowing into the natural world , but contrary to this, they are less likely to recycle than older generations say the BSA. The main reason being confusion over what can and can’t be recycled.
What is compostable plastic?
Compostable. A symbol by European Bioplastics which certifies that a product is industrially compostable in accordance with the European Standard EN 13432. Don’t place items with this symbol in with regular recycling as it breaks down and can contaminate recyclable plastics. Instead place the item with garden waste.
How much does recycling paper save?
Recycling one ton of paper not only saves 17 trees but also 7,000 gallons of water, 380 gallons of oil, 3.3 cubic yards of landfill space, 4,000 kilowatts of energy AND reduces greenhouse gas emissions by one metric ton of carbon equivalent. Forest Stewardship Council logo.
What are some examples of recycling?
Examples include plastic bottles and cardboard. Do your bit by rinsing items with this symbol and avoid contaminating other materials that could attract vermin in recycling centres. Save on water by giving empty containers a rinse in your used washing up water then leave them to dry.
Plastic Recycling Symbols
We're told that over 90% of plastic is not recycled, which is a shocking statistic. It's no wonder plastic waste is such as huge global problem. So by disposing of our own plastic properly, at least we know we'll be doing our bit to avoid making it any worse.
What do the Numbers on Recycling Symbols mean?
The numbers tell you what type of plastic a product is made from. From this you can tell whether it can be recycled, and how to properly dispose of it.
What Numbers Cannot be Recycled?
It is technically possible to recycle all numbers, but only if the facility exists to do so. Sadly there are some such as #3 PVC, #5 Polypropylene and #6 Polystyrene are rarely recycled.
What does the PETE symbol mean?
Symbol 1 with the acronym PETE PETG plastic. Also known as PETE, this symbol represents polyethylene terephthalate, which is commonly used for soft drink bottles, mineral water containers, and fruit juice containers, and cooking oil containers. The plastic is easily recyclable so it’s often part of curbside recycling programs. It can be reused to make containers, carpet, and furniture.
What is PP plastic?
PP, or polypropylene plastic, , is appropriately marked by the number five symbol including the acronym PP. Thanks to its durability, strength, and low weight, this plastic is utilized in furniture, luggage, toys, and the lining and external borders of cars. This is one of the safer types of plastic making it ideal for ketchup bottles and medicine bottles. It is also increasingly being accepted in curbside recycling programs.
What does HDPE stand for?
Symbol 2 with the acronym HDPE indicates one of the most commonly used plastics in the United States, HDPE (which stands for high-density polyethylene). HDPE plastic is used for a number of different purposes but is widely considered the plastic of choice for containers for items like cleaning agents, milk, detergents, and washing soap thanks to its low weight and high strength.
What is the symbol for polystyrene?
Styrene plastic, also known as polystyrene, is marked with symbol 6 that includes the acronym PS. This plastic is commonly used in toys, hard packing, refrigerator trays, cosmetic bags, costume jewelry, CD cases, and vending cups. Although not accepted in many curbside recycling programs, it can be recycled to make egg cartons, take-out containers, and rulers.
What does the symbol 7 mean?
Symbol 7 including the word “OTHER” stands for “other plastics,” which include, but are not limited to, acrylic plastic, polycarbonate plastic, polylactic fibers, nylon, and fiberglass. Not every plastic can be recycled. However, both acrylic and polycarbonate can be recycled and can be repurposed for future projects.
What does LDPE stand for in plastic?
Symbol 4 with the acronym LDPE indicates that the plastic is made from LDPE plastic, which stands for low-density polyethylene. This plastic comes in the form of shopping bags, highly-resistant sacks, and crushed bottles.
Can PVC foam board be recycled?
Thanks to its lightweight and rigid properties, PVC plastic can be easily stamped, sawed, punched, nailed, riveted, or bonded using PVC adhesive. PVC is rarely recycled and not usually part of a curbside recycling program.
What does the GFCO symbol mean?
Created and certified by the Gluten Free Certification Organization (GFCO), this symbol shows that the food within the package does not contain any gluten and that the product was not exposed to cross-contamination.
What does "fragile" mean on a bottle?
It indicats that the material is easily breakable so it should be handled with caution. This symbol should be often seen on the packaging of our glass bottle products.
What does the flammable symbol on a product mean?
Flammable. This packaging symbol on a packaging notifies users that the product itself or at least one of its ingredients is flammable and can easily cathc fire once being exposed to high heat or a flame. It is also a warning of keeping the product away from sources of heat.
What does the USDA organic symbol mean?
Certified by the USDA’s National Organic Program, this symbol suggests the regulations and standards for products that are produced organically without synthetic fertilizers, irradiation, and/or genetic engineering.
What does the E sign mean on a package?
If this E sign appears under the amount in grams or milliliters on the package, it represents that the product contains the amount advertised.
What does PAO stand for in cosmetics?
PAO (Point After Opening): This is a graphic symbol that identifies the useful lifetime of a given cosmetics product after its package has been opened for the first time. The number followed by the M represents the specific number of months the product is effective after opening.
What is a non-GMO project?
The Non-GMO Project seal certifies that the given product was produced in an environment dedicated to NO Genetically modified organisms (GMOs). The Non-GMO Project provides independent verification of testing and GMO controls for both U.S. and Canada based products.