Recycling Lingo 101
Reduce, re-use, recycle. I write a lot about how to reduce plastic use, and in the future I will do a blog about how to re-use things, but this week is all about recycling. Recycling is really important to understand when trying to live disposable plastic free. If I'm honest, it's a bit of a nightmare trying to work out what all the symbols mean when pacing back up and down the aisles in a supermarket, trying to find a cereal that has recyclable packaging. It should be simple, but it's not. I understand that it's not the most interesting thing to read about, but it's SUPER important, so please just give me 5 minutes to get across the important stuff (I hope I sound desperate enough to convince you).
First thing's first, there is apparently no legal obligation for producers to state whether their packaging is recyclable on the box. Just because it doesn't say anything, doesn't mean it can be recycled or can't be. It just leaves you in the dark. Then, when we do get symbols, you have to be well versed in the language of recycling to understand what to do with it. So here's a lesson in recycling language 101:
The Heart Arrow
This is the important stuff - when things can or can't actually be recycled. If this symbol is featured on packaging, it means that at least some of it is possible to be recycled. You do need to, however, read the rest of the label because the writing underneath tells you important stuff. E.g. if it says "Check local recycling" or it is a black heart arrow, you may not be able to recycle that item in your area and instead need to store it and take it to a recycling centre/tip. Of course, if the black heart arrow has a slash through it, the packaging cannot be recycled at all, i.e. avoid at all costs. Lots of people don't read the rest of the label and assume everything can go in the recycling. This means extra time and money has to be put into sorting on the other end, plus you run the risk of contaminating stuff that can be recycled.
The Green Dot
One thing I have discovered I have been duped by so far is a little symbol called the green dot (no more hot chocolate for me, sadly). This symbol, once one of hope, doesn't mean very much at all. It does not mean that the packaging can necessarily be recycled, or that is components are recycled material, more so that the producer has made a financial contribution towards recycling and recovery in European countries.
The Mobius Loop
Much the same, the mobius loop, which many people believe (understandably) that they can just throw the packet in the recycling, cannot be trusted. It simply means that it somehow, somewhere can be recycled, not necessarily by your local collection. Coupled with a percentage, this symbol tells you how much of the packaging has been recycled. Variations of the mobius loop exist, detailing the plastic resin identification code.
This symbol can give a clue about many things you don't think you can go in the recycling too, like bread bags and stretchy plastic. Some superstores do recycle them so it's worth investigating to see what you can do.
Compostables
There is much speculation about "biodegradable" and "compostable" plastics at the moment. For many biodegradable materials to break down they need certain conditions (e.g. sunlight, heat). To put it more clearly, biodegradable wet wipes will not break down in the sewer, and biodegradable plastic bags, balloons, and straws, will not magically disappear in our oceans. They still pose the same threat to wildlife. However, should you be the composting type (which everyone is capable of doing), then compostable bags have a good use. They should be recycled in your green garden waste bin and not your recycling bin; they will contaminate the other materials and make all your recycling efforts redundant.
Little Person with a Bin
This symbol is telling people simply not to litter. You may think that people who are so ignorant as to litter in the first place would not respond to a tiny symbol telling them to put things in the bin, but, alas, apparently it's worth printing.
Something worth realising is that packaging may have any one of these symbols, but not reference all the materials use in packaging. For example, a cereal box may say that it is widely recycled, but not include that there is a a wrapper in there that isn't recyclable. You have to investigate further.
As a side note to all of these symbols, PLEASE make sure you clean out packaging before putting it in the recycling. As I former student I've seen how much just gets thrown in there with good intentions, but just a little bit more effort goes a long way. Not cleaning stuff out can contaminate the packaging that can be recycled and just leads to more waste.
So that was a basics in recycling. I hope you found it thrilling, inspiring, and all kinds of good.
Thanks for reading
Liv
For the recycling nerds who want more symbols (the real MVPs) go here:
https://www.recyclenow.com/recycling-knowledge/
First thing's first, there is apparently no legal obligation for producers to state whether their packaging is recyclable on the box. Just because it doesn't say anything, doesn't mean it can be recycled or can't be. It just leaves you in the dark. Then, when we do get symbols, you have to be well versed in the language of recycling to understand what to do with it. So here's a lesson in recycling language 101:
The Heart Arrow
This is the important stuff - when things can or can't actually be recycled. If this symbol is featured on packaging, it means that at least some of it is possible to be recycled. You do need to, however, read the rest of the label because the writing underneath tells you important stuff. E.g. if it says "Check local recycling" or it is a black heart arrow, you may not be able to recycle that item in your area and instead need to store it and take it to a recycling centre/tip. Of course, if the black heart arrow has a slash through it, the packaging cannot be recycled at all, i.e. avoid at all costs. Lots of people don't read the rest of the label and assume everything can go in the recycling. This means extra time and money has to be put into sorting on the other end, plus you run the risk of contaminating stuff that can be recycled.
The Green DotOne thing I have discovered I have been duped by so far is a little symbol called the green dot (no more hot chocolate for me, sadly). This symbol, once one of hope, doesn't mean very much at all. It does not mean that the packaging can necessarily be recycled, or that is components are recycled material, more so that the producer has made a financial contribution towards recycling and recovery in European countries.
The Mobius Loop
Much the same, the mobius loop, which many people believe (understandably) that they can just throw the packet in the recycling, cannot be trusted. It simply means that it somehow, somewhere can be recycled, not necessarily by your local collection. Coupled with a percentage, this symbol tells you how much of the packaging has been recycled. Variations of the mobius loop exist, detailing the plastic resin identification code.
This symbol can give a clue about many things you don't think you can go in the recycling too, like bread bags and stretchy plastic. Some superstores do recycle them so it's worth investigating to see what you can do.
Compostables
There is much speculation about "biodegradable" and "compostable" plastics at the moment. For many biodegradable materials to break down they need certain conditions (e.g. sunlight, heat). To put it more clearly, biodegradable wet wipes will not break down in the sewer, and biodegradable plastic bags, balloons, and straws, will not magically disappear in our oceans. They still pose the same threat to wildlife. However, should you be the composting type (which everyone is capable of doing), then compostable bags have a good use. They should be recycled in your green garden waste bin and not your recycling bin; they will contaminate the other materials and make all your recycling efforts redundant.
Little Person with a BinThis symbol is telling people simply not to litter. You may think that people who are so ignorant as to litter in the first place would not respond to a tiny symbol telling them to put things in the bin, but, alas, apparently it's worth printing.
Something worth realising is that packaging may have any one of these symbols, but not reference all the materials use in packaging. For example, a cereal box may say that it is widely recycled, but not include that there is a a wrapper in there that isn't recyclable. You have to investigate further.
As a side note to all of these symbols, PLEASE make sure you clean out packaging before putting it in the recycling. As I former student I've seen how much just gets thrown in there with good intentions, but just a little bit more effort goes a long way. Not cleaning stuff out can contaminate the packaging that can be recycled and just leads to more waste.
So that was a basics in recycling. I hope you found it thrilling, inspiring, and all kinds of good.
Thanks for reading
Liv
For the recycling nerds who want more symbols (the real MVPs) go here:
https://www.recyclenow.com/recycling-knowledge/
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