Then why did they make the signs so complicated? Currently, there are around 20\u201330 common recycling symbols. How many do you know? Because I can\u2019t name more than 6. Hopefully, by the end of this article, we\u2019ll both be able to tell them all apart. But first, let\u2019s learn how the signs came to be and why they are so many.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
History and Evolution<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
To a large extent, the environmental movement started in the 1970s<\/a> with rising concerns over sustainability and waste management. With landfills filling up quickly and high waste disposal costs, it was time to come up with efficient solutions. <\/p>\n\n\n\n And that\u2019s when Gary Anderson designed the original recycling symbol<\/strong> \u2014 the famous Mobius loop. It quickly became the symbol of recycling worldwide. Along with it, more symbols appeared to indicate the materials used in a product. One example is the recycling symbols for plastic that contain numbers to point to the specific type of material. But more on them later. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Nowadays, recycling signs have evolved to address the changes in the recycling process<\/a> and our needs. For example, we now have a symbol for compostable materials. Also, the symbols are not universal. They vary across regions depending on the accepted standards and regulations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Before we get down to the nitty-gritty of recycling signs, it\u2019s good to know why you should be able to tell them apart. Here\u2019s how interpreting the codes correctly can help the recycling process:<\/p>\n\n\n\n To sum up, telling recycling codes apart will help you make better purchasing choices, conserve resources, protect the environment, and avoid unnecessary contamination. Now, let\u2019s learn the basics to achieve all that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The meaning behind recycling symbols is whether products and materials can be recycled and how to dispose of them the right way. And while that sounds simple, there are quite a few of them we have to remember:<\/p>\n\n\n\n The original recycling symbol consists of three arrows chasing each other in the form of a triangle. The arrows represent the three steps of the recycling process<\/strong> \u2014 collection of recyclable materials, manufacturing, and purchasing products from recycled materials. It signals that the product or its packaging is recyclable. While it\u2019s not a guarantee that the material will be accepted at your local recycling program, it gives you a strong hint that you can recycle this item.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The glass recycling symbol indicates that the item is made of glass and is recyclable. However, the symbol isn\u2019t universal<\/strong>. It usually looks like the tidyman symbol \u2014 a figure throwing out a bottle into a bit, surrounded by the Morbius loop. But it can also look like a glass container (bottle or jar) within a circle or triangle and may include arrows to represent recycling. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Plastic recycling symbols are the most confusing ones since they include numbers, and we all feel math class PTSD when we see them. I\u2019m joking, but it\u2019s a valid explanation of why we all have a hard time remembering them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n And while we keep forgetting or ignoring them, we discard 2.5 million plastic bottles per hour<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Plastic symbols are visualized with recycling numbers enclosed within the Morbius loop. There are 7 common variations of these symbols:<\/p>\n\n\n\n 1 \u2014 Polyethylene Terephthalate (PETE)<\/strong>: Yes, it can be recycled. It\u2019s one of the most common types of plastic. PETE is a clear and lightweight plastic you\u2019ll often find on beverage bottles, packaging, and food containers. <\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n 2 \u2014 High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE)<\/strong>: Yes, it can be recycled. You might see it on milk jugs, plastic bags, and detergent bottles. So, the good news is you can recycle laundry detergent bottles<\/a> if you see this sign on them<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n 3 \u2014 Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC)<\/strong>: It can technically be recycled, but it\u2019s much more challenging than the first two types. Also, you should specifically check with your local recycling facility whether they\u2019ll accept PVC materials. You might see this sign on some packaging, pipes, and construction materials.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n 4 \u2014 Low-Density Polyethylene (LDPE)<\/span>: Yes, it can be recycled. This is flexible and lightweight plastic that\u2019s often used for packaging, plastic bags, squeeze bottles, and shrink wrap.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n 5 \u2014 Polypropylene (PP)<\/span>: Yes, it can be recycled. It\u2019s a versatile type of plastic used in packaging, food containers, bottle caps, and even automotive parts. Keep in mind that some recycling facilities have specific guidelines on accepting PP.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n 6 \u2014 Polystyrene (PS)<\/strong>: Plastic 6 recycling is usually not accepted. You know this as styrofoam, which is quite challenging to recycle as it\u2019s easily contaminated with food or other residue. Also, there\u2019s not much demand for recycled styrofoam products, and the material is not economical enough for processing.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n 7 \u2014 Other Plastics<\/strong>: Recycling plastic 7 is challenging. This symbol covers all types of plastic that don\u2019t fit into the previously mentioned ones. Some of them are recyclable, while others aren\u2019t. Note that not all recycling facilities accept or can process materials with this symbol.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n To sum up, recycling plastic numbers 1, 2, 4, and 5 is generally ok. For all other types of plastic, you\u2019ll have to check your local recycling facility. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Unfortunately, there are no universal recycling signs for paper. Still, here are a few examples to help you understand what to look for:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Look for a similar sign on paper packaging and ensure the paper has no residue before putting it in the recycling bin. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Recycling signs for metal are also not standardized. Look for a recycling symbol with the word \u201cmetal\u201d or another image that might represent metal recycling. If you see an ALU abbreviation, that means the item is made from aluminum, which is highly recyclable. It\u2019s best to check the local guideline for metal recycling.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Electronic waste is tricky to recycle as it has environmental and health impacts. The symbols for it may vary, but here are a few common ones to look out for:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Proper guidelines for electronic waste recycling symbols on packaging will vary depending on where you live, so it\u2019s best to check with your local recycling facility.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The compostable or biodegradable symbol looks like a seedling or plant sprout<\/strong> and represents the idea that the item can be transformed into nutrient-rich compost that supports plant growth. You might also notice text like “Compostable” or “Certified Compostable” on the packaging. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The packaging recycling icon tells you whether the packaging material is recyclable. Again, there\u2019s no universal symbol for it, but it can be displayed as a recycling bin or arrows forming a loop around a package<\/strong>. It might also include text like “Recyclable” or “Please Recycle.” Note that even if you see this symbol, the actual recyclability of the item would depend on the material it\u2019s made of and other factors. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Recycling signs are crucial for promoting recycling, but they\u2019re not without faults. They\u2019re confusing to most people, making the case for mandatory recycling<\/a> a tough one.<\/p>\n\n\n\n While it\u2019s important to tell recycling signs apart, it\u2019s equally crucial to discuss their challenges and limitations, including:<\/p>\n\n\n\n The best we can do about these challenges is to keep educating ourselves on the latest guidelines and advocate for consistent and universal signs we can all follow. One such great initiative is How2Recycle<\/a> \u2014 a standardized labeling system with clear and simple signs that anyone can understand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The recycling symbol (Mobius loop) means that the item or packaging is potentially recyclable. Still, that may vary depending on your local recycling facility and program.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Check for recycling symbols on the packaging. The first thing to look for is the Mobius loop \u2014 three arrows chasing each other in the form of a triangle. Read all about the main recycling symbols above. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The number in the recycle symbol indicates the specific types of material used in the item. That helps with sorting and recycling processes. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Plastics that can generally be recycled have a numerical value of 1, 2, 4, or 5. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Yes, plastic with the recycling symbol 5 is generally recyclable. Still, that may vary depending on your local facility. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Have you ever put something in a recycling bin just because it had some recycling symbols on the packaging? Have you ever thought that you know the main symbols for recycling which turned out to be completely wrong (and you still can\u2019t tell the difference)? Do you want to learn how to recycle properly once …<\/p>\nWhy It\u2019s Important to Interpret Recycling Codes<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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![\"variant](\"https:\/\/homemindful.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/variant-of-mobius-loop.png\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nWhat Do Recycling Symbols Mean?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Universal Recycling Symbol (Mobius Loop)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"mobius](\"https:\/\/homemindful.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/mobius-loop.png\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nGlass Recycling Symbol<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"glass](\"https:\/\/homemindful.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/glass-recycling-symbol.png\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nPlastic Recycling Symbols<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"recycling](\"https:\/\/homemindful.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/recycling-symbol-1-pete.png\")
<\/figure>![\"hdpe](\"https:\/\/homemindful.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/hdpe-2-recycling-symbol.png\")
<\/figure>![\"recycling](\"https:\/\/homemindful.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/recycling-symbol-3-pvc.png\")
<\/figure>![\"recycling](\"https:\/\/homemindful.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/recycling-number-4.png\")
<\/figure>![\"recycling](\"https:\/\/homemindful.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/recycling-symbol-5.png\")
<\/figure>![\"recycling](\"https:\/\/homemindful.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/recycling-code-6-plastic.png\")
<\/figure>![\"recycling](\"https:\/\/homemindful.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/recycling-number-7.png\")
<\/figure>Paper Recycling Symbols<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Metal Recycling Symbols<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Electronic Waste Recycling Symbols<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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![\"compostable](\"https:\/\/homemindful.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/compostable-recycling-symbol.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nCompostable Symbol<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Recyclable Packaging Symbol<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Challenges and Limitations of Recycling Signs<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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FAQ<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
What does the recycling symbol mean?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
How to know if something is recyclable?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
What does the number in the recycle symbol mean?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Which plastics can be recycled?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Is 5 plastic recyclable?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n