Over the coming months, you will be able to check product packaging for simple information about whether it can be recycled or not. Leading retailers including Marks & Spencer, Tesco, Waitrose, Co-op, Asda and Sainsburys have joined forces to introduce the labelling system which will mean that you can see, at a glance, which packaging is recyclable / can be recycled by looking at the symbols printed on some product ranges. Many household brands will be using the new labelling system across their ranges as well.
The scheme tries to provide clearer information to the public, clarifying what can and cannot be recycled currently. Product ranges included in the scheme will feature one or more of three standard symbols showing whether each component of its packaging is ‘widely recycled’, ‘not currently recycled’ or only recycled in some areas, where the instruction is to ‘check local recycling’.
Please note that the fact that a particular type of packaging is recyclable does not mean it is actually recycled / collected in your area. To find out what you can recycle in your recycling boxes and brown bin see what can I put in my recycling boxes and brown bin?
For more information on what else you can recycle at the recycling points and where is your nearest recycling point see our Recycling Points in North Hertfordshire 
page.
This scheme is being run by the British Retail Consortium with no additional cost for local residents.
The scheme has been set up to provide more useful information on what you can and can’t recycle and will not affect your current local collection service.