WEEE Recycling Symbols Guide
Recycling Symbols Guide
Recycling symbols help identify how products, packaging, electrical equipment and materials should be handled after use.
This guide explains common recycling symbols in simple terms, including packaging labels, plastic codes, WEEE markings and battery recycling symbols.
Symbols can help guide recycling decisions, but they do not always guarantee that an item can be recycled through every collection route.
Common Recycling Symbols
Mobius Loop
This symbol usually means an item may be recyclable. It does not guarantee that the item can be recycled through every local or commercial recycling route.
Recycled Content Symbol
This symbol can show that a product or packaging contains a percentage of recycled material.
Crossed-Out Wheelie Bin
Electrical and electronic equipment should not be placed in general waste. It should be collected separately for reuse, recycling or appropriate treatment.
Crossed-Out Wheelie Bin with Bar
This is commonly used on electrical and electronic equipment. It shows that the item should be kept separate from general waste and handled through a WEEE recycling route.
Green Dot
This does not necessarily mean the packaging is recyclable. It usually shows that a producer has contributed to a packaging recovery scheme where that system applies.
Plastic Resin Codes
These numbers identify the type of plastic used. They do not automatically mean the item can be recycled through every collection route.
Recycle Label
This label gives guidance on whether packaging is commonly accepted for recycling, depending on the recycling system available.
Do Not Recycle
This means the item or packaging should not be placed in standard recycling streams.
Compostable Symbol
This means the item may be compostable under specific conditions, often through industrial composting rather than normal recycling.
Battery Recycling Symbol
Batteries should be separated from general waste and handled through appropriate battery recycling routes.
Tidyman Symbol
This reminds people to dispose of waste responsibly. It does not mean the item is recyclable.
Symbols on Electrical and Electronic Equipment
Electrical and electronic items often display the crossed-out wheelie bin symbol. This means the item should not be disposed of with general waste.
Common items with WEEE symbols include computers, laptops, monitors, printers, mobile phones, batteries, tablets, servers and small electrical equipment.
Important Note
Recycling symbols are useful guidance, but the correct disposal route depends on the item, material, condition and available recycling process.
If your organisation is unsure how to dispose of electrical equipment, batteries or electronic waste, a structured WEEE recycling collection can help ensure items are handled responsibly.
Arrange WEEE Recycling Support
If your organisation has electrical equipment, batteries or electronic waste that needs to be collected, WEEE Recycling Planet can help arrange responsible WEEE recycling and secure disposal.