Recycling Symbols Explained
6th June 2017
We’re all used to recycling more of our waste these days, but there are a multitude of symbols to go with each different waste type. The type of symbol you see will depend on what materials have been used to create the item and will also determine how the material is processed to recycle it. Take a look below to see our guide to what each symbol signifies and the type of item it is likely to be.
| Symbol | Name | What It Means |
|---|---|---|
 | Mobius Loop | This symbol means an item is recyclable by all recycling systems. |
 | PET | Polyethylene Terephthalate plastics: typically bottles and jars. |
 | HDPE | High-density Polyethylene: could include carrier bags, bottles, pipes and toiletry containers. |
 | PVC | Polyvinyl Chloride, can be found in pipes, clothes, children’s toys and furniture. |
 | LPDE | Low-density Polyethylene: found in squeezy bottles, cling films, lids and food bags. |
 | PP | Polypropylene, typically found in food containers such as yoghurt pots, takeaway boxes and plastic cups and plates. |
 | PS | Polystyrene: a common material for disposable plates, cups, cutlery and containers. |
 | Other | Can contain polycarbonate or ABS: found in a variety of items such as CDs, sunglasses, bottles and car headlamps. |
 | Aluminium Recycling | Drinks cans, foil and food pouches made with aluminium can be recycled. |
 | The Green Dot | Often confused with a recycling symbol, this symbol simply means the producer supports recycling efforts, not that the item it’s on is recyclable. |
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“We were pleased to have awarded this contract to Powerday. They have delivered their services efficiently and reliably, achieved high recycling rates and 100% recovery, meeting our requirements throughout the project. They have been easy to deal with, reasonable and fair. We have been particularly impressed with their account management and waste reporting capabilities.”
Dave France, Project Director, Ecoworld Ballymore