Recycling symbols explained: what the labels really mean

The same three chasing arrows can mean completely different things on different products. Labels vary by country, by industry scheme and by material — which is why so many people feel confused about what actually belongs in the recycling bin.

The Mobius loop

The most familiar recycling symbol is the Mobius loop — three arrows chasing each other in a triangle. When you see it on its own, it means the material is technically capable of being recycled. It does not mean:

• that your local collection service accepts it;
• that it will actually be recycled after collection;
• or that any recycled content was used to make it.

What gets collected and processed varies enormously — not just between countries, but between neighbouring councils or municipalities. The golden rule is always to check your local authority or waste service website for what they accept. See our recycling guide for more on this.

When the Mobius loop contains a percentage figure (for example "30% recycled"), that refers to recycled content used to make the product — which is a useful claim but separate from whether you can recycle the packaging itself.

Plastic resin codes 1–7

A number inside a triangle of arrows identifies the type of plastic resin. This system was introduced by the plastics industry to help sorting facilities identify materials. The number is not a promise that the item is accepted for kerbside recycling — that depends entirely on your local facilities and markets for that material.

• 1 — PET (Polyethylene terephthalate). Clear drinks bottles, some food trays. Widely recycled in many countries.
• 2 — HDPE (High-density polyethylene). Milk jugs, detergent bottles, shampoo bottles. Among the most commonly recycled plastics.
• 3 — PVC (Polyvinyl chloride). Some blister packs, pipes, window frames. Rarely accepted in household kerbside recycling.
• 4 — LDPE (Low-density polyethylene). Cling film, carrier bags, squeeze bottles. Generally not collected kerbside, though some supermarkets have dedicated soft plastic collection points. See our soft plastic recycling guide.
• 5 — PP (Polypropylene). Yogurt pots, margarine tubs, bottle caps. Accepted in many but not all areas.
• 6 — PS (Polystyrene). Foam cups, takeaway containers, packing peanuts. Rarely recyclable through household collections.
• 7 — Other. A catch-all for any plastic not in categories 1–6, including multi-layer materials and some bio-based plastics. Usually not recyclable kerbside.

The Green Dot

The Green Dot (two interlinked arrows forming a circular symbol, usually green and white) is one of the most misunderstood symbols on packaging. It does not mean the packaging is recyclable. It means the manufacturer or importer has paid a financial contribution into a national packaging recovery or take-back scheme in countries that operate such systems — common across Europe.

You will regularly see the Green Dot on packaging that cannot go in your recycling bin. It is a licensing mark for a producer responsibility scheme, not a recycling instruction.

On-pack recycling labels

Several countries have developed standardised on-pack label systems to give clearer guidance at the point of disposal. The wording varies by scheme, but common categories include:

• "Widely recycled" — accepted by a large proportion of local collections in that country. Usually means you can put it in your recycling.
• "Check locally" — accepted by some but not all areas. You need to check what your specific service takes.
• "Don't recycle" (or no recycling label) — not currently collected. Put it in general waste.

These schemes are helpful but only apply in the country where they were designed, so if you're travelling or buying imported goods, the guidance may not match your local system.

Glass, paper and aluminium

These materials have their own symbols and considerations:

• Glass. Often shown with a figure putting an item in a bin ("Tidy Man"). Glass is endlessly recyclable, but collection methods vary — some areas use kerbside, others use bottle banks only. Pyrex-style oven glass, drinking glasses and window glass are different materials from packaging glass and usually cannot be mixed with it.
• Paper and cardboard. The RESY symbol (used mainly in Germany) and the general paper-and-board loop indicate paper content. Clean, dry paper and cardboard are widely accepted. Greasy pizza boxes, waxed paper and laminated card are more complicated — check locally.
• Aluminium. Highly valuable as a recycled material. The aluminium loop symbol signals that the item is made of aluminium. Cans, foil trays and aluminium lids are generally accepted. Crinkled foil and crisp packets are usually not the same material — again, check.

Compostable and biodegradable logos

Packaging labelled "compostable" or "biodegradable" can cause significant confusion — and contamination.

• Industrially compostable (often shown with a seedling logo or similar certification mark) means the item will break down under the high-heat, managed conditions of an industrial composting facility. It will not break down adequately in a home compost bin, and it should never go in your plastic recycling — it can contaminate the whole batch.
• Home compostable (a different certification, less common) means it is designed to break down in a typical garden compost heap. Check the certification mark and your local guidance before adding it.
• "Biodegradable" without further specification is not a standardised claim. All materials eventually break down, but the timescale and conditions matter enormously. It tells you very little about where the item should go.

FSC and paper/wood certification

The FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) logo on paper, cardboard or wood products means the material comes from forests managed to FSC's social and environmental standards, verified through an independent chain of custody. It is a credible, internationally recognised certification. The PEFC (Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification) serves a similar purpose and is also widely recognised.

These labels tell you something meaningful about where the raw material came from — they are not recycling instructions, but they are a useful signal for more responsible sourcing when you're choosing products.

Vague claims and greenwashing

Beyond formal symbols, packaging is full of unverified environmental language: "eco-friendly," "planet-friendly," "sustainable packaging," "made with the earth in mind." These phrases are marketing — there are no universal standards that define them.

Watch for self-made green icons that look like official certification marks but represent nothing independently verified. If a claim matters to you, look for a named, recognised third-party certification (FSC, certified compostable, a formal on-pack recycling label scheme) rather than a logo a company has designed for itself. For a deeper look at this, see our guide to shopping sustainably and our explainer on greenwashing.

How to read a label: checklist

• Find the specific material label (the resin code for plastics, the glass or aluminium symbol).
• Check for on-pack recycling wording ("widely recycled," "check locally," "don't recycle").
• Remember that the Mobius loop alone does not mean kerbside-recyclable.
• Remember that the Green Dot does not mean recyclable.
• Look for "industrially compostable" vs "home compostable" — they go in different places.
• Never put compostable plastic in the plastic recycling bin.
• When the label is unclear, check your local council or waste service website.
• If in doubt, put it in general waste — wishful recycling contaminates what gets collected.
• Apply the waste hierarchy first: refuse and reduce before worrying about how to recycle.