RECYCLING SYMBOL SENSE CHECK (suitable when not stamping plastics)
-Always check with the supplier/IS for confirmation of packaging materials
-Symbols must represent packaging that is separable by hand from the rest when disposing/sorting
-If there is only room for one symbol then use the symbol that represents the outer packaging and not the inserts/ the box/blister/clam/bag not the vac-form/insert/printed card
-Where room is available add symbols representing each part of the plastic blister with card insert could be - For UK only items label as stated below
-For UK only items, following the Labelling Back of Pack guidelines from J. Gorman where more than one type of plastic/packaging type is PP carton with PVC vac form then indicate which symbol represents which component with Carton is Insert is
RECYCLING SYMBOL SENSE CHECK (when stamping plastics)
- Follow the guidelines above ignoring the UK only comments and extra representative wording.
- Stamp the plastic only with its relevant symbol, ideally somewhere obvious to see and on the reverse
side. Any inserts/fitments should be printed or stamped where appropriate with the symbol that represents their material content.
SYMBOL | MATERIAL | COMMON USES |
PET Polyethylene Terephthalate (PETE is the acceptable US variant) | Blister packs, window boxes, carton boxes, beverage containers, boil-infood pouches, processed meat packages, etc. | |
HDPE High Density Polyethylene (PE-HD is the acceptable US variant) | Milk bottles, detergent bottles, oil bottles, toys, plastic bags | |
PVC Polyvinyl Chloride (V is the acceptable US variant) | Blister packs, vacuum formings, food wrap, vegetable oil bottles | |
LDPE Low Density Polyethylene (PE-LD is the acceptable US variant) | Polybags, shrink-wrap, plastic bags, garment bags | |
PP Polypropylene (including oriented polypropylene, OPP) | Polybags, carton boxes, margabine and yogurt containers, grocery bags, caps for containers, carpet fibre, food wrap, | |
PS Polystyrene (includes expanded polystyrene, EPS) | Foam inserts/fitments, plastic utensils, clothes hangars, foam c5ps and plate3 | |
Other - All other polymers and polymer blends W(ere poss)ble, state the standard abbreviation of the plastic instead of ABS, HIPS etc | Polycarbonate, ABS, HIPS, PPO/P@E, nylon, acrylic, EVO, PVOH, rubber, co-extrusions of two different plastics etc. Compostable Biopolymers but NOT Polymers with degradable additives; label these as the traditional polymer. | |
22 PAP 21 20 PAP | Paper 20 – Corrugated Fibreboard 21 – Non-corrugated card 22 – Paper | Boxes, swing tags, labels, fitments, backing cards, instruction manuals Paper packaging sometimes has a polymer-based varnish or thin surface lamination of plastic, and where this is traditionally regarded as paper and recycled as paper, it should be labelled as paper, not as a composite. |
Combined Plastic and Paper Only use when the paper and plastic are INSEPARABLE by hand | Any laminate or similar material where paper is the main layer by weight, such as foil-lined drinks cartons and many other similar paper-based laminates – except, of course, if all the layers are paper then label as paper. | |
OTHER PACKAGING MATERIAL SYMBOLS
SYMBOL | MATERIAL | COMMON USE |
40 FE | Iron, steel and tinplate steel | Cans, tins |
41 ALU | Aluminium (if you are already using the variant AL, it is acceptable to keep using it) | Cans, tin, foil |
42 OMET | Use for any other metals such as brass, copper, titanium, lead etc. | Cans, tin, foil |
51 50 FOR FOR | 50 – Wood 51 – Cork | Boxes, decorative swing tags, inserts |
TEX TEX 61 60 | 60 – Cotton 61 – Jute | Bags, linings, decoration, decorative swing tags |
GL GL GL 72 71 70 | 70 – Coloured Glass 71 – Green Glass 72 – Brown Glass | Jars, containers, bottles |
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