Recycling symbols can be very confusing and misleading, so we have divided up the symbols into the following sections:

1. Can be recycled in the household waste recycling scheme

The Recycle Now logo
The Recycle Now icon is designed to be the recognised symbol for recycling and to motivate people into action. The curved arrow represents the action and sustainability of recycling. The heart signifies the feel-good nature of the recycling activity.

Use of the Recycled Now logoThe Recycle Now symbol is intended as a call to action symbol asking people to recycle whenever possible.

The symbol is used in two ways, when appearing on packaging it is an indicator of the ability of different elements of the packaging to be recycled.

This symbol is also used to indicate where recycling facilities are located.

Glass

Glass recycling logo

This symbol means the packaging is made from glass.
Glass can be recycled in the household recycling bin in Sussex or in public bottle banks.

Metals

Recycling aluminium
This symbol means the packaging is made from aluminium.
Aluminium can be recycled in the household recycling bin in Sussex.

Recycling steel
This symbol means the packaging is made from steel. Steel can be recycled in the household recycling bin in Sussex.

Compostable

Suitable for home composting
This is a very new symbol, which means that the packaging is suitable for home composting. You can buy cut-price compost bins through the West Sussex County Council Composting offer. For further information visit www.wsussex.getcomposting.com

 

Electrical and Electronic Items

Electrical item - do not discardThe crossed-out wheelie bin can be found on items such as batteries, electrical and electronic items, which are covered by the WEEE Directive. These can all be recycled at your local Household Waste Recycling Site. To find your nearest Household Waste Recycling Site go to Recycle for West Sussex.

2. Items displaying these symbols might be recyclable

The Mobius Loop logo
The Mobius Loop has no precise meaning. It is generally understood to be the international symbol for recycling, but the use of the symbol is entirely voluntary. It generally means the item can be recycled; however it will depend on the recycling facilities in the given area.

Plastics

There are 6 different types of plastic polymer commonly used to make packaging. The symbol used to identify the type of polymer is a triangle with a number inside it and some letters underneath. Unfortunately the triangle does not mean that the packaging can be recycled and the council recommends that residents ignore this symbol on packaging.

Plastics logos

3. These symbols DO NOT mean that you can recycle the item

Mobius Loop logo with percentage
A % indicates that a certain quantity of recycled material has been used in the production of the packaging. This is commonly found on cardboard.

Green Dot logoThe Green Dot is a symbol used in many European countries. It shows that the producer of the packaging has made a financial contribution towards its recovery and recycling, in the country of origin or sale. This symbol has no relevance in the UK, and does not indicate that the item can be recycled locally.

4. Other symbols

Paper

Recycled paper logo
To be given the National Association of Paper Merchants mark, paper or board must be made from a minimum of 75% genuine waste paper and / or board fibre, no part of which should contain mill produced waste fibre.

Wood

Wood (FSC) logo
The Forest Stewardship Council logo identifies products which contain wood from well managed forests independently certified in accordance with the rules of the FSC A.C.

Tidyman

Tidyman logo
Dispose of the item carefully and thoughtfully. Do not litter. This doesn’t relate to recycling, but is a reminder to be a good citizen, disposing of the item in the most appropriate manner.

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