A new, universal on-pack recycling label is being launched today by leading retailers.
For the first time, it will provide customers with standardised information on whether packaging can be recycled. The single, industry-supported, label replaces the potentially confusing range of symbols previously used.
Anyone who produces packaged products, such as retailers and suppliers, is being encouraged to participate. A string of major retailers and suppliers have already committed to taking part.
The initiative is intended to boost UK household recycling rates by giving customers the information they need to ensure more of the material that can be recycled is recycled.
The scheme will be operated by the British Retail Consortium (BRC) under a company called OPRL (On-pack recycling label) Limited. WRAP (Waste & Resources Action Programme) will monitor changes in local authorities’ recycling capabilities, which will determine the labelling category each packaging materials fall into.
The new on-pack recycling label will have three categories depending on how likely it is that a customer’s local authority will accept specific packaging materials for recycling:
• Widely recycled
• Check local recycling
• Not currently recycled.
BRC director general Stephen Robertson said: “Retailers have taken the lead in developing this new recycling label because they recognise their relationship with customers means they are uniquely placed to help people do the right thing.
“Customer confusion is the biggest barrier to improving recycling rates. Replacing a potentially confusing array of symbols and messages with a single, standardised logo will help customers recycle more of what can be recycled.”
Environment Minister Jane Kennedy said: “By standardising the information provided to shoppers, these new recycling labels make it easier for us to know what we can recycle and help us to recycle more. I applaud the retailing sector for taking this initiative.”
