Many of us are becoming aware of the environmental impact plastic waste is having on the world around us. Seeing plastic bottles and plastic wrapping littered every causes havoc to our natural environment. 

Many local authorities have introduced a household recycling bin to make it easier to recycle. Local councils spend a lot of time helping and educating residents what can be recycled and what can’t, with particular focus on single-use plastics. In addition to kerbside collections, most of us will have a local recycling centre that focuses on ensuring an item can be disposed of correctly; electrical items, compostable products like grass cuttings, a bottle bank for glass bottles.

I have noticed the rise in additional collection points in small village shops and large supermarkets for soft plastic packaging like bread bags, plastic bags and chocolate wrappers making recycling even more accessible. 

Have you ever looked at your shampoo bottles or plastic container and seen a triangle with number? Ever wondered what they mean?

The mobius loop, probably one of the most recognised symbols, was created to help identify whether the type of packaging can be recycled. 

Later it was used to identify plastic resin codes on the different types of plastic. But this resin identification code doesn’t necessarily mean that product CAN be recycled. This confusion can be problematic, especially when we are trying to do our best. 

The different symbols signify the type of resin used to identify the various types of plastic symbols; some of these can be incorporated into the a recycling process, and some that cannot. 

Although, it would be better to try to avoid using plastic altogether, I thought it would be a good idea to put together a little guide to help with the most common plastic recycling symbols

Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET). What is it used for? – Soft drinks bottles, food packaging. This plastic is easy to recycle

High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE). What is it used for? – Milk cartons, cleaning products, yoghurt pots. This plastic is easy to recycle

Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC). What is it used for? Pipes, Electrical cables, cable insulation, insulation. This plastic is difficult to recycle.

Low-density polyethylene (LDPE). What is it used for? Shopping bags, wraps for magazines. It can be recycled…just about.

Polyethylene (PP). What is it used for? Butter and margarine tubs, food trays, carpet fibres. Easy to recycle.

Polystyrene (PS). What is it used for? Plastic cutlery, takeaway packaging, insulation. Difficult to recycle.

This is the ‘other’ category. This will include the other packaging that is incredibly difficult to recycle; crisp packets, salad bags, carrier bags, cling film

You may have noticed that the text for each of these are separated into three colours; Green, Orange and Red, this determines the ease or recycling that plastic.

Green – Recyclable

Orange – Recycled at specialist points

Red – Not easy to recycle and will most probably end up in landfill

One important aspect to bear in mind that if something is easy to recycle, this is more likely if it isn’t attached to a layer of another type of plastic. Mixing plastics comes with its own set of problems. 

The best thing to do is to reduce the amount single-use products you buy, where you can. 

updated – March 2024