Recycling symbol meanings and comparisons

Direct answerWhat does PAP 20 mean?PAP 20 identifies corrugated fibreboard packaging, commonly used for shipping boxes. It identifies the material; local acceptance still depends on condition and collection rules.

Direct answerWhat is the difference between PAP 20 and PAP 21?PAP 20 is corrugated fibreboard with a fluted inner layer. PAP 21 is non-corrugated fibreboard or paperboard.

Direct answerWhat is the difference between PAP 21 and PAP 22?PAP 21 identifies non-corrugated fibreboard or paperboard; PAP 22 identifies paper.

Direct answerWhat do PAP 20, 21 and 22 mean?PAP 20 means corrugated fibreboard, PAP 21 means non-corrugated fibreboard or paperboard, and PAP 22 means paper.

Direct answerWhat do plastic numbers 1 to 7 mean?Numbers 1 to 7 are resin-identification codes. They identify the predominant plastic family and do not guarantee local recyclability.

Direct answerWhat does PET 1 mean?PET 1 identifies polyethylene terephthalate, commonly used for beverage and food packaging.

Direct answerWhat does resin code 5 (PP) mean?PP 5 identifies polypropylene, used for tubs, caps, takeaway containers and many durable products.

Direct answerWhat does FE 40 mean?FE 40 identifies steel or tinplate packaging, including many food cans, lids and steel containers. Empty it and follow the local metal-packaging rule.

Direct answerWhat does ALU 41 mean?ALU 41 identifies aluminium packaging.

Direct answerWhat is the difference between FE 40 and ALU 41?FE 40 identifies ferrous steel or tinplate packaging; ALU 41 identifies aluminium packaging.

Direct answerWhat does C/PAP 84 mean?C/PAP 84 identifies composite packaging made mainly of paper/cardboard with plastic and aluminium layers.

Direct answerWhat does the crossed-out wheelie bin mean?On electrical and electronic equipment, the crossed-out wheeled bin indicates separate collection rather than disposal with unsorted household waste.

Direct answerWhat is the difference between the crossed-out bin and recycling symbol?The crossed-out bin directs separate collection; a recycling loop or material code does not automatically provide a local disposal route.

Direct answerWhat is the difference between the Mobius Loop and Green Dot?The Mobius Loop is associated with recyclability or recycled content depending on context; the Green Dot indicates participation in a packaging-recovery financing system in relevant markets.

Direct answerWhat is the difference between recyclable and recycled content?Recyclable describes a potential end-of-life route; recycled content describes material already recovered and used in the product.

Direct answerWhat is the difference between home and industrial compostable?Home-compostable products are designed for lower-temperature home composting conditions; industrial-compostable products require controlled commercial conditions.

Direct answerWhat do Pb, Cd and Hg mean on a battery?Pb means lead, Cd means cadmium and Hg means mercury. The chemical symbol indicates the presence of the relevant heavy metal above the applicable marking threshold.

Direct answerWhat do GL 70, GL 71 and GL 72 mean?GL 70 identifies clear glass, GL 71 green glass and GL 72 brown glass packaging.

Direct answerIs the plastic number a recycling symbol?A resin-identification code identifies plastic type. It does not guarantee that the object is recyclable in your area.

Direct answerWhat does a deposit return symbol mean?A deposit mark or refund wording indicates that an eligible beverage container carries a refundable deposit under a specific scheme.

Direct answerWhat bin does PAP 20 go in?Clean, dry PAP 20 corrugated cardboard commonly uses a local paper/cardboard stream, but the exact bin colour and acceptance rule depend on the location.

Direct answerWhat bin does FE 40 go in?Empty FE 40 steel packaging commonly uses a local metal or mixed-packaging stream, unless it contained hazardous material or is covered by a deposit system.