🔄 Recycling Symbols Decoded – What Those Little Arrows Actually Mean

 Ever looked at the bottom of a bottle and seen a triangle with a number in it? Or a label that says “Widely Recycled”? Here’s what they really mean — and why you should care.

♻️ The Mobius Loop

The triangle with arrows means “this item can be recycled” — but only if your council accepts it. It doesn’t mean it always is.

🔢 The Numbers Inside

These show the type of plastic:

  • 1 (PET) – Drink bottles (recyclable)

  • 2 (HDPE) – Milk bottles, detergent (recyclable)

  • 5 (PP) – Yogurt pots, Tupperware (varies)

  • 6 (PS) – Polystyrene (rarely recycled)

  • 7 (Other) – Mixed plastics (not usually accepted)

🟩 “Widely Recycled” vs “Check Locally”

  • Widely recycled: 75% of councils accept it

  • Check locally: 20–75% accept

  • Not yet recycled: Less than 20%

Understanding these helps avoid “wish-cycling” — throwing non-recyclables into the green bin and hoping for the best.

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