A Guide to Reading Packaging Labels & Symbols

Understanding where our products come from and what we can do with them once we've finished with them is no easy feat, so I've created this guide to hopefully help you know what to do with your packaging, where products come from, and some certifications to look out for!

Feel free to read now or come back later to compare your packaging against :))

SYMBOLS:

You will see this on the back of packaging and it is easy to read in that it tells you exactly what you can do with each part of the product waste.

Green = Recycle

Black = Check local recycling scheme

Crossed out = Cannot recycle

These symbols are a little more complicated...each number relates to a different material and they are each disposed of differently. NOTE: just because these symbols are in triangles, it does not mean they are necessarily recyclable!

1. PET – PET is widely recycled, often found in plastic water bottles, and can be recycled into things like tote bags, new containers, and carpets.

2. HDPE – This is also widely recycled. HDPE is usually more dense, being found in shampoo bottles, and can be recycled into pens, detergent bottles, etc.

3. PVC – This is a high-strength thermoplastic material often found in wire/cable insulations or drinking/wastewater pipes and due to the chlorine aspect, it can release damaging chemicals if not disposed of correctly. This can be recycled into park benches, flooring, roofing, or even fashion.

4. LDPE – This is a softer plastic used for polythene bags. In the UK, some supermarkets have recycling schemes for polythene bags but it is often not recycled elsewhere.

5. PP – This is often heat-resistant packaging used for butter tubs, yogurt containers, or hot food packaging. PP is becoming more widely recycled in the UK so best to separate this with your other plastic recycling.

6. PS – PS is not widely recycled in the UK but polystyrene recyclers can be found using EPS Recyclers.

This symbol refers to compostable packaging – if the material passes criteria set out by European standards, it is accepted for commercial composting systems.

There are ways you can compost at home, or find facilities near you to help out!

This symbol is used for packaging that contains glass.

Glass is often recycled at separate points to other recycled materials so it's important to separate your glass recycling and check the schemes in your area.

This symbol highlights that you SHOULD NOT put these items in general waste, mostly being used for electrical items. These products can be taken to local recycling centres to ensure proper disposal.

It is highly unsafe for these to be put with regular recycling as they can casuse fires, so taking them to a local recycling centre (of which your nearest location can be found here) is really important.

Be careful – this symbol does not necessarily mean that the item can be recycled!

It means that a financial contribution has been made to a national take-back system or that a producer has financially contributed to a scheme.

CERTIFICATIONS:

This symbol is used for paper packaging like cartons and paper bags.

FSC Certified paper means that the wood pulp is sourced in an environmentally friendly, well-managed forest.

If something is B Corp Certified, it means that the entire organisation is committed to environmental and social goals.

This well-known Fairtrade symbol means that producers, traders, organisations, and the supply chains of products are checked to ensure that they are socially, environmentally, and economically sustainable.

Rainforest Alliance is a global organisation which works to protect forests, biodiversity, livelihoods, and human rights. If a product is Rainforest Alliance Certified, it means that the product/company is committed to environmental, social, or economic stability & sustainability of farmed products.

There will no doubt be more questionable symbols on the back of your packaging so get in contact if you have specific questions and I can write more about this subject!