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The hidden symbols of waste.
Signs are all around us, and we aren't talking about aliens, even though some of these symbols may be alien to us!
When it comes to waste and recycling, you will always find recycling symbols on packaging, this is so that households & consumers understand which packaging can be recycled and it is easier to sort and manage the process of what materials gets recycled and to where.
Even though these symbols are all around us, how many of us actually understand and know what they mean? Unless you are an hieroglyphics expert, it can be tough to work out what the symbol indicates.
Well not anymore, as in this handy guide, there will be all those tricky little recycling symbols explained!
The symbols for recycling are uniform images that show which packaging is recyclable, and they assist consumers in making eco-friendly decisions when it comes to the recycling process. These icons are commonly seen on packaging, containers, and items.
These symbols are important for promoting sustainability and reducing the amount of waste that ends up in landfills. By recognising and understanding these symbols, we can make informed choices about how to properly dispose of our waste and contribute to a more sustainably run environment.
Additionally, businesses and industries use each recycling label to indicate whether their products are recyclable, helping to promote a more environmentally friendly approach.
You have definitely seen this used on packaging, but we would be surprised if you knew exactly what label we are talking about!
It is called The Mobius loop...do you know what it is yet?
Well....it is the symbol which has three arrows moving in a triangle shape, with each arrow pointing to the next in a continuous cycle. Now you know what we are talking about! The universal sign of recycling that everyone is accustomed to seeing.
The Mobius loop can appear on various types of materials, including plastics, paper, cardboard, glass, and metal. It serves as a visual indicator that these materials can be collected, processed, and transformed into new products through recycling.
This symbol is used globally so that every resident all over the world will automatically recognise it.
We all contribute in some form or another into packaging recovery, just by recycling and sorting our waste, we contribute.
Even though you may think that most big companies would happily pay less for more harmful products and materials because they cost less to create, the reality is a lot different.
Producer contributions basically means any financial contribution or material contributions made by manufacturers, brand owners, or importers to support the collection, recycling, or recovery of packaging materials.
These contributions aim to shift some of the responsibility for managing packaging waste from taxpayers and councils, to the producers who place products on the market.
You may be thinking, these sound like new biking techniques, I haven't seen any of these on the Tour De France. Well you would be right, these cycles are actually related to recycling., but, what do they stand for?
Well, TerraCycle is a global recycling company that specialises in collecting and re purposing hard-to-recycle waste materials. This was founded in 2001 by Tom Szaky,
TerraCycle's mission is to eliminate waste by finding innovative solutions for materials that are traditionally considered non-recyclable or difficult to recycle. The significance of TerraCycle on today's environment and landscape can't be understated.
Here is what TerraCycle do:
Collection Programs: TerraCycle partners with companies, brands, schools, communities, and individuals to collect specific types of waste that are not typically accepted by recycling programs. These materials can include items like snack wrappers, cigarette butts, coffee capsules, and more.
Zero Waste Boxes: TerraCycle provides Zero Waste Boxes, which are containers that individuals can use to collect specific types of waste. Once filled, the boxes are shipped back to TerraCycle.
Partnerships: TerraCycle partners with major brands and retailers to create recycling programs for their products and packaging. These partnerships help divert large volumes of waste from landfills and promote sustainable consumption practices. They work with major global companies such as: Nestle, P&G, Unilever, Colgate & L'Oreal.
Up-cycling, on the other hand, is the process of transforming waste materials or unwanted products into new items that have greater value. Unlike traditional recycling, which breaks down materials to create new products, up-cycling involves re-purposing materials to give them a new lease of life.
Examples of up-cycling include:
Up-cycling promotes creativity, and sustainability by reducing waste and minimising the need for new raw materials.
Pretty much every item you purchase or use will have some form of symbol on then. All these common recycling logos help towards the recovery and recycling of packaging and materials around the world.
Here are the common recycling symbols and what they mean:
Mobius Loop: The trusty green recyclable symbol we mentioned above. This symbols means that the product can be recycled.
Resin Identification Code (RIC): The numbers inside the Mobius Loop. These numbers range from 1 to 7 with each number meaning a different type of plastic resin. This is used to identify each type of plastic in a recycling centre, from plastic bottles to plastic containers.
Glass Recycling Symbol: This symbol is applied to packaging to help identify glass items at recycling points. This looks like a glass bottle or jar with arrows indicating the recycling process.
Aluminum Recycling Symbol: This symbol is used on packaging to show that it is recyclable. It is usually a guide that shows arrows circling around an aluminium can, or for our American followers...ALOOOOMINUM
Paper Recycling Symbol: The person and the bin. You all know this one. It is usually a recycling bin with a paper inside or a crossed out tree.
Steel Recycling Symbol: This on-pack recycling label is applied to packaging to identify metal items that can be recycled & made into new recycled material.
All these different recycling symbols are paramount towards all type of packaging and materials being recycled. Recycling plants use these symbols to help recycling waste.
Recycling rates indicate the proportion of waste materials that are redirected from landfills and processed for reuse. Local recycling rates are important because they provide a measure of how well household recycling is doing in diverting waste from landfills and promoting sustainable waste management practices.
Local recycling centre signs or logos, are used to indicate the availability of recycling facilities and services, making it easier for residents to identify where they can recycle different types of materials. These symbols can also be used to promote awareness and encourage people to participate in recycling programs.
By using symbols to promote recycling and waste management, UK local authorities & communities can work towards increasing their recycling rates and reducing the amount of waste sent to landfills, ultimately leading to a more sustainable and environmentally friendly community.
Just think of Big Timber & we aren't talking about an obese family member. If you have never watched Big Timber on Netflix, firstly, we highly recommend, and secondly, you will see the ins and outs of what forests need to be sustainable.
With every single item of wood that you use, all of these items will carry on them a sustainable forest symbol. This symbol means that the wood and wood products in those items have been sourced from responsibly managed forests.
Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) Certification: The FSC is a globally recognised organisation that sets standards for responsible forest management. Wood and wood products carrying the FSC logo have been sourced from forests that meet strict environmental rules. The FSC logo features a tick with a tree with the letters "FSC" underneath.
Pan-European Forest Certification (PEFC UK): This certification indicates that wood and wood products comes from forests managed according to sustainable forestry practices in the UK.
We have mentioned the number for Resin Identification Codes, but what do these recycling codes mean? Well, we know that each number program means the packaging contains a different plastic, but what type of plastic?
Code 1 - PET (Polyethylene Terephthalate): This plastic packaging is commonly used in beverage bottles, food containers, and packaging trays.
Code 2 - HDPE (High-Density Polyethylene): HDPE is used in bottles for milk, shampoo, and other household products, as well as in pipes, toys, and plastic bags.
Code 3 - PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride): PVC is used in pipes, window frames, flooring, and some food packaging. It's less commonly recycled due to challenges in processing and concerns about harmful additives.
Code 4 - LDPE (Low-Density Polyethylene): LDPE is used in plastic bags, shrink wrap, squeezable bottles, and some recyclable packaging films.
Code 5 - PP (Polypropylene): PP is used in food containers, bottle caps, yogurt cups, straws, and some packaging.
Code 6 - PS (Polystyrene): PS is used in disposable cups, food containers, packaging materials, and foam packaging (expanded polystyrene or EPS).
Code - 7 Other Plastics: This category includes kinds of plastic not defined in recycling centres. It may include less common plastics that are difficult to recycle.
All these codes are used for the recycling of packaging in Europe and the UK.
Learn the Lingo: Like a true hieroglyphic expert. Learn the language. By understanding these symbols will help you make informed decisions about recycling and waste disposal.
Check Packaging: When purchasing products, check for recycling symbols on packaging. Look for the Mobius Loop to determine if the material is recyclable and check the RIC code to identify the type of plastic used.
Sort Waste Properly: Separate recyclable materials from non-recyclables and ensure that items are clean and free from contaminants before your recycling collection.
Recycle Correctly: Place recyclable materials in designated recycling bins or containers. Those colour coded bins are there for a reason!
Reduce and Reuse: In addition to recycling, prioritise reducing waste and reusing items whenever possible. Choose products with minimal packaging, opt for reusable alternatives instead of single-use items, and donate or re-purpose items you no longer need.
So, they may look like nothing, but, these symbols actually mean that the packaging we all use and love is sent back to the right place to be recycled into new packaging. Without these little images, the packaging that is collected for recycling could end up in the incorrect place.
Recycling symbols mean a greener world. They help us make eco-friendly choices, support recycling efforts, and promote environmental awareness. By understanding and embracing these symbols, we become part of a global movement towards sustainability.
Now those weird signs on the bottom of your plastic bottles should actually mean something to you! We would say go out there and impress your friends, but we doubt you would have them for much longer.
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