European Eco Label

• This is an official Europe-wide award for non-food products that minimise impacts on the environment.
• Products must be independently certified, and have to meet strict criteria for all the main environmental impacts across their whole life cycle.
• In the UK, products carrying the label include household cleaners, kitchen rolls, toilet tissue, paints and televisions.

The EU Energy Label

• This scheme rates products from A, (the most efficient) to G (the least efficient).
• For refrigeration the EU energy label goes up to A++.
• By law, the label must be shown on all refrigeration appliances, electric tumble dryers, washing machines, washer dryers, dishwashers, electric ovens, air conditioners, lamps and light bulb.

The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC)

The FSC is an international network to promote responsible management of the world's forests.

• The FSC logo guarantees that wood and paper products come from well-managed forests and have been produced in an environmentally sound and socially responsible manner.
• To gain the FSC stamp of approval, loggers and forestry owners must demonstrate that their activities comply with FSC regulations.
• These require that forests are logged in a responsible manner; water supplies are protected; free and informed consent of the traditional landowners is obtained; the rights of forest workers and forest communities are respected and endangered species and their habitats are conserved.
• The FSC monitoring system allows timber that carries its logo to be traced throughout the supply chain.

Plastics Recycling

The sole purpose of the symbols shown below is to identify the type of plastic used and should not be confused with some of the symbols shown above.

Polyethylene terephthalate

Fizzy drink bottles and oven-ready meal trays.

High-density polyethylene

Bottles for milk and washing-up liquids.

Polyvinyl chloride

Food trays, cling film, bottles for squash, mineral water and shampoo.

Low density polyethylene

Carrier bags and bin liners.

Polypropylene

Margarine tubs, microwaveable meal trays. (our cd packaging)

Polystyrene

Yoghurt pots, foam meat or fish trays, hamburger boxes and egg cartons, vending cups, plastic cutlery, protective packaging for electronic goods and toys.

Any other plastics that do not fall into any of the above categories.

An example is melamine, which is often used in plastic plates and cups.

RecycleNow Swoosh

The Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP) have founded the RecycleNow Swoosh. This swoosh is being used in place of the 'recyclable' mobius loop above.

Recyclable

Has the potential to be recycled.

This symbol now appears on many products in an effort to encourage people to recycle. However, a product that is recyclable does not mean it is made from recycled materials.
Many companies use this symbol to portray the image of being environmentally friendly
without actually doing anything.

Recyclable does not mean that an item is automatically collected for recycling in your local area.