SmartRicicla

Recycling symbols dictionary

The number or letters printed on packaging tell you what material it is made of and help you work out which bin it goes in. Here are all 19 identification codes, with a photo of a typical item and some examples.

Plastic

Example item: Polyethylene terephthalate

PET (1)

Polyethylene terephthalate

Water and drink bottles, shampoo bottles.

Example item: High-density polyethylene

PE-HD (2)

High-density polyethylene

Yogurt containers, detergent bottles.

Example item: Polyvinyl chloride

PVC (3)

Polyvinyl chloride

Food containers, films.

Example item: Low-density polyethylene

PE-LD (4)

Low-density polyethylene

Frozen food bags, squeezable bottles.

Example item: Polypropylene

PP (5)

Polypropylene

Ketchup bottles, yogurt cups.

Example item: Polystyrene

PS (6)

Polystyrene

Disposable cups, food trays.

Example item: Other plastics

O (7)

Other plastics

Non-recyclable or composite materials.

Metals

Example item: Steel (iron)

FE (40)

Steel (iron)

Cans, jars, small tins.

Example item: Aluminium

ALU (41)

Aluminium

Drink cans, trays, aluminium foil.

Paper and cardboard

Example item: Corrugated cardboard

PAP (20)

Corrugated cardboard

Packing boxes.

Example item: Non-corrugated cardboard

PAP (21)

Non-corrugated cardboard

Pasta and cereal boxes.

Example item: Paper

PAP (22)

Paper

Newspapers, magazines, paper bags.

Glass

Example item: Colourless glass

GL (70)

Colourless glass

Water bottles, jars.

Example item: Green glass

GL (71)

Green glass

Wine or sparkling wine bottles.

Example item: Brown glass

GL (72)

Brown glass

Beer and wine bottles.

Wood and cork

Example item: Wood

FOR (50)

Wood

Fruit crates, small packaging.

Example item: Cork

FOR (51)

Cork

Wine bottle stoppers.

Textiles

Example item: Cotton

TEX (60)

Cotton

Cotton fabrics and clothes.

Example item: Jute

TEX (61)

Jute

Jute sacks and fabrics.

Packaging material identification codes (European Commission Decision 97/129/EC). Collection rules can differ from one municipality to another: if in doubt, follow your municipality’s regulations.

Frequently asked questions

What does the PET (1) symbol on packaging mean?

Code 1 (PET) stands for: polyethylene terephthalate. Examples: Water and drink bottles, shampoo bottles.

What does the PE-HD (2) symbol on packaging mean?

Code 2 (PE-HD) stands for: high-density polyethylene. Examples: Yogurt containers, detergent bottles.

What does the PP (5) symbol on packaging mean?

Code 5 (PP) stands for: polypropylene. Examples: Ketchup bottles, yogurt cups.

What does the FE (40) symbol on packaging mean?

Code 40 (FE) stands for: steel (iron). Examples: Cans, jars, small tins.

What does the ALU (41) symbol on packaging mean?

Code 41 (ALU) stands for: aluminium. Examples: Drink cans, trays, aluminium foil.

What does the PAP (20) symbol on packaging mean?

Code 20 (PAP) stands for: corrugated cardboard. Examples: Packing boxes.

Where do I throw it away? List of items

Always at hand in the app

Search a symbol by number, letters or material, or point the camera at it: SmartRicicla tells you where it goes.

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