UNDERSTANDING RECYCLING SYMBOLS
Recycling labels are highly informative.
They tell you what packaging a product has and whether it is recyclable.
If the product is recyclable, the label also shows whether the packaging can be recycled at home or must be taken to a local recycling centre. If you are unsure, please check on the South Lanarkshire Council website.
Here is a video demonstrating the symbols.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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