• widely recycled

At least 75% of local councils provide household recycling collection facilities for this packaging. You might need to remove lids or plastic films; other labels will inform you.  

• check local recycling

This symbol is used when 20% - 75% of councils can recycle that packaging type. You can find out if your area is included by using the recycling locator - save the page as a favourite on your phone so you can check back easily. 

• not currently recycled

Less than 20% of councils recycle this type of packaging but don’t despair just yet. Check with your local council before relegating it to your general waste bin. They might just be one of the magic 20%. Also, recycling facilities are evolving all the time so it might be recycled in the future. 

• widely recycled at recycling points – check locally for kerbside

If you see this symbol on packaging then over 75% of councils recycle this type of packaging but less than 75% collect it through household recycling - it might be at a recycling bank instead. Sounds tricky but if you have our recycling locator to hand you’ll be laughing all the way to the recycling bank.

• plastic films

Some plastic films can also now be recycled at supermarkets’ carrier bag collection points. Look out for the 'Recycle with carrier bags at large stores - not at kerbside' message on your bread bag, breakfast cereal, toilet and kitchen roll wraps, grocery produce, multipack shrink wrap and magazine wraps then just drop off when you do your weekly shop. You’ll normally find the collection points near the entrance or after the tills.

• metal paint tins  

When you see this symbol, your empty metal paint tin is accepted for recycling at most local recycling centres. Check South Lanarkshire Council’s website for more details.  

• Mobius loop

This shows that the packaging is capable of being recycled, but it may not be accepted by all recycling collection facilities.

• the green dot

This just means that the producer has paid towards recovery and recycling of packaging.

• plastics

This is where things can seem confusing. Numbers from 1 to 7 within the 'chasing arrows' symbol (or Resin Identification Code) shows the type of plastic resin used to make the packaging. As a general rule of thumb if it has a number 1 or 2 in the centre then it can be picked up through most household recycling collections.

• recyclable aluminium / steel

One for the drinks cans and deodorant bottles, this symbol shows that the item is made of recyclable aluminium. Find out what to do with kitchen foil and aluminium trays. 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. 

The Forest Stewardship Council logo identifies products with wood from responsibly managed forests.  

Here is Zero Waste Scotland’s page explaining the symbols. Recycling packaging symbols explained - How To Waste Less