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When you are looking to recycle your waste and put into the appropriate bins it can be confusing with all the different kinds of symbols out there.  We explain what each of the most common symbols are below.

Recycle Now Symbol

The Recycle Now icon is designed to be the recognised symbol for recycling and to motivate people into action to put their waste in the right recycling bin. The curved arrow represents the action and sustainability of recycling. The heart signifies the feel-good nature of the recycling activity.

The Mobius Loop

The Mobius Loop has no precise meaning. It is generally understood to be the international symbol for recycling, but the use of the symbol is entirely voluntary. If you see this symbol it means that you can put it into your recycling bin, or recycle via your local council.

The Green Dot

The Green Dot is a symbol used in many European countries. It shows that the producer of the packaging has made a financial contribution towards its recovery and recycling, in the country of origin or sale. This symbol has no relevance in the UK, and does not indicate that the item can be recycled locally.

Aluminium Recycling Symbol

This recycling symbol means that it be placed in an aluminium recycling facility. The are special recycling bins for aluminium at most waste depots.

Paper Recycling

To be given the National Association of Paper Merchants mark, paper or board must be made from a minimum of 75% genuine waste paper and / or board fibre, no part of which should contain mill produced waste fibre. Putting paper into your recycling bin at home helps cut down on deforestation and allows paper not to end up in land fills.

Steel Recycling symbol

Can be placed in a steel recycling facility. Most councils have drop off points or recycling bins for steel.

Glass Recycling Symbol

Please dispose of glass bottles and jars in a bottle bank (but remember to separate colours) or use your glass kerbside collection if you have one. Glass is an ideal product to be recycled but most councils have a special drop point for glass products.

Composting Symbol

This is a very new symbol, which means that the packaging is suitable for home composting. There are a wide range of composting recycling bins available on the market today.

Plastic Recycling

There are 6 different types of plastic polymer commonly used to make packaging. The symbol used to identify the type of polymer is a triangle with a number inside it and some letters underneath. The below symbol is an example of a plastic recycling symbol.

For more information on the background to recycling symbols