Go Green

from www.recyclenow.com

Recycling symbols explained

you're ready to throw packaging out, take a look at the label and see if it can be recycled

Nine out of ten households now have a kerbside collection, so check the postcode locator to find out what you can recycle in your area.  Remember, 73% of packaging can currently be recycled in England but we only recycle 33%, so there’s room for improvement!

Numerous labels appear on packaging to advise consumers and promote environmental claims. To ensure these claims are accurate, a set of international standards have been developed known as the Green Claims Code, and is issued by the British Standards Institute.

To help you understand all the symbols you might see, take a glance at the guide below...

The Recycle Mark

The Recycle Mark is a call for action. Please try and recycle whenever possible. If you are unsure if the item is collected locally, check the postcode locator.

The new packaging symbols

New packaging symbols are now starting to appear on some packaging. They help to identify how different parts of packaging can be recycled.

“Widely Recycled” means 65% of people have access to recycling facilities for these items.
“Check locally” means 15% - 65% of people have access to recycling facilities for these items.
“Not recycled” means less than 15% of people have access to recycling facilities for these items.

These symbols are a guide to how widely different packaging items are recycled, however you should always follow the advice of your local authority.  Check the postcode locator and see what you can recycle in your area.

The Green Dot

The Green Dot does NOT necessarily mean that the packaging can be recycled. It is a symbol used on packaging in many European countries and signifies that the producer has made a contribution towards the recycling of packaging.

Plastics

Identifies the type of plastic: PET and HDPE bottles are recycled by the majority of local authorities.

Glass

Please dispose of glass bottles and jars in a bottle bank (but remember to separate colours) or use your glass kerbside collection if you have one.

Recyclable Aluminium

Can be placed in an aluminium recycling facility.

Recyclable Steel

Can be placed in a steel recycling facility.

Mobius Loop

Indicates that an object is capable of being recycled - not that the object has been recycled.

Mobius Loop with percentage

Shows the percentage of recycled material contained in the product.

Paper

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

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

Dispose of this 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.

from:http://www.recyclenow.com

Benefit your business

People like to be able to recycle at work - just as they can at home. There are lots of benefits to recycling at work too, such as:

• It's easy to set-up and run;
• It saves space and can reduce clutter;
• It's cost effective and can save your company money;
• It reduces waste going to landfill, saves energy and helps tackle climate change.

Find a local recycling service provider

Before you can get started you will need to find arecycling service provider in your local area and get a list of companies with services to suit your needs.

Setting up a recycling scheme

Consider hosting a recycling day or event to launch the new recycling scheme.  For example, hold a desk recycling amnesty to encourage staff to recycle as much as they can from their desks.

TOP TIPS

• Promote your recycling scheme around the workplace using these free posters.
• Remember to position recycling containers in a convenient place, so it’s as easy to recycle as it is to throw things away.
• Collect for charity too! Old mobile phones, computer equipment, stamps and printer cartridges can all help to raise precious funds for charities.

What else can you do

Businesses can cut costs and reduce waste by using resources more efficiently. Waste costs money - not only through the cost of disposal but also through the value of wasted materials.  The Waste & Resource Action Plan (WRAP) can provide advice and resources to help your business reduce waste and increase recycling. This support includes:

• An introduction to resource efficiency and posters to promote these messages across your business.
• A website with case studies, in-depth guides and online tools
• A free business resource efficiency helpline which offers bespoke resource efficiency guidance and support – call 0808 100 2040.
• Free online training initiatives including Rethink Waste for manufacturers and the Ripple Effect on water efficiency.