There are a number of symbols which commonly appear on packaging products. Some of these indicate whether the item is recyclable, while others show the recycled material content.

Biocompostable

If you see these symbols - it means you can put the packaging into your compost heap.
This is a relatively new symbol found on biocompostable plastic packaging. The symbol signifies that the packaging has been tested, and is suitable for putting into industrial and home compost heaps.

Cardboard

       Or   

The above symbol, called the Mobius loop, is most commonly found on cardboard packaging and denotes that the item is recyclable. If the centre of the loop contains a number, this means that the item is made from a certain percentage of recycled materials.

While most glass containers are recyclable, this symbol reminds consumers to recycle glass jars and bottles, either at bottle banks or, where available, through curbside collection schemes.

Plastics

There are a wide range of plastics used in packaging. To make sorting and thus recycling easier, the American Society of Plastics Industry developed a standard marking code to help consumers identify and sort the main types of plastic. These logos are engraved in the plastic and describe the type of plastic used for sorting purposes only. The logos do not indicate that the products are recycled or recyclable These types and their most common uses are shown below:

Codes	Material	Packaging Applications	Recycled Products
	PET	Polyethylene terephthalate - Soda Bottles, Water Bottles, and oven-ready meal trays.	Fiber, tote bags, clothing, film and sheet, food and beverage containers, carpet, strapping, fleece wear, luggage and bottles.
	HDPE	High-density polyethylene - Bottles for milk and cleaning fluids.	Liquid laundry detergent, shampoo, conditioner and motor oil bottles; pipe, buckets, crates, flower pots, garden edging, film and sheet, recycling bins, benches, dog houses, plastic lumber, floor tiles, picnic tables, fencing.
	PVC	Polyvinyl chloride - Food trays, cling film, bottles for   shampoo.	Packaging, loose-leaf binders, decking, paneling, gutters, mud flaps, film and sheet, floor tiles and mats, resilient flooring, cassette trays, electrical boxes, cables, traffic cones, garden hose, mobile home skirting.
	LDPE	Low density polyethylene - Shopping bags and Garbage Bag liners.	Automobile battery cases, signal lights, battery cables, brooms, brushes, ice scrapers, oil funnels, bicycle racks, rakes, bins, pallets, sheeting, trays.
	PP	Polypropylene - Margarine tubs, microwaveable meal trays.	Automobile battery cases, signal lights, battery cables, brooms, brushes, ice scrapers, oil funnels, bicycle racks, rakes, bins, pallets, sheeting, trays.
	PS	Polystyrene - Yoghurt cups, foam meat, poultry or fish trays, egg cartons, vending cups, plastic cutlery, protective packaging for electronic goods and toys.	Thermometers, light switch plates, thermal insulation, egg cartons, vents, desk trays, rulers, license plate frames, foam packing, foam plates, cups, utensils
	OTHER	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.	Bottles, plastic lumber applications.

Glossary

Bagasse
Remains of sugar cane pulp after juice is extracted, used to make bi-products such as packaging, paper and absorbent products.

Biocompostable
plastic and paper products, which disintegrate and biodegrade completely and safely when composted in a municipal or commercial facility (such as yard trimmings and food scraps) Biocomposting is usually completed within 90 days. Biocompatibility will be faster if the products are broken down to small pieces or ground up. Certain packages from renewable resources, like those made from PLA and Sugar Cane, can be composted in your own backyard

Biodegradable
materials that decompose, usually by bacteria or sunlight, into original organic components within a reasonably short period of time.   Most organic materials (paper, grass clippings, food scraps), under the right conditions, are biodegradable.

Bioplastic
plastics made from corn, potato or other annually renewable sources which are compostable & biodegradable.

Compost
a crumbly, earthy, sweet smelling mixture of decomposing organic matter (e.g. leaves, food scraps, grass clippings) that is often used to improve the texture, water retaining capacity and aeration (opposite of clumps) of soil.

Eco-efficiency
do more with less of our resources.

Life Cycle Analysis
The key measurement tool for environmental sustainability is Life Cycle Assessment (LCA). LCA is a technique for assessing the environmental impacts associated with a product (or service), covering all stages in a product's life.

Life Cycle Inventory
A product's cycle starts when raw materials are extracted from the earth, followed by manufacturing, transport and use, and ends with waste management including recycling and final disposal. At every stage of the life cycle there are emissions and consumption of resources. The environmental impacts from the entire life cycle of products and services need to be addressed. To do this, life cycle thinking is required.

Monopack
This refers to a package that is made from same materials for easy sorting and recycling. An aluminum can with a paper label is not a monopack.

A plastic milk jug and the plastic cap are usually made from the same plastic material (HDPE with the number 2 recycling logo) and is a monopack.

Packaging
protects the food we buy. Usually it cannot be eliminated or compromised.

PLA - PolyLactic Acid
is a product made from corn-starch, with a look and feel like petroleum based plastic. PLA is the one of the most commonly used bioplastics for making products.

Recyclable
material that still has useful physical or chemical properties after serving its original purpose and can be reused or remanufactured to make new products. Plastic, paper, glass, steel and aluminum cans, and use oil are examples of recyclable materials.

Source Reduction
eliminate waste and use less packaging

Sustainability
Actions we take that support quality of life now and for future generations

Trivia

7% of Americans compost

LOHAS consumers are rapidly growing demographic sector (over 16%) whose purchase decisions are driven by organic, sustainable, recyclable and eco-friendly products and packaging.

65 billion bottles are produced per year for beverages – even a small savings in weight results in significant savings

7 of 10 Households don’t know what they will serve for dinner, just one hour before they must decide!