What Do These Recycling Symbols Actually Mean?
Do you get confused about what you can and cannot recycle? Packaging labels can be hard to read, and the words used on them are often mixed up: recyclable, biodegradable and compostable all mean different things.
On-pack recycling labels
In the UK most packaging carries an "on-pack" recycling label (OPRL), which tells you what to do with the packaging when you have finished with it. The labels are the work of Recycle Now, a national recycling campaign for England supported and funded by government, and they are usually easy to spot.
The Mobius loop
The Mobius loop is the triangle of three chasing arrows. When it has a number in the centre and a letter code below, it shows what kind of plastic the packaging is made from. The code can help you check whether it can be recycled in your area, as collections vary between councils.
Recyclable, biodegradable and compostable
- Recyclable means the material can be collected and processed into something new, where facilities exist locally.
- Biodegradable means a material can break down naturally, but the time and conditions it needs vary widely, and the word alone does not tell you how to dispose of it.
- Compostable items are designed to break down in composting conditions, and some need industrial rather than home composting. Check the packaging.
If you are unsure, check your local council's website, which lists what is collected in your area.
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