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Australasian Recycling Labels

Australasian Recycling Labels explained.

The Australasian Recycling Label (ARL) is an evidence-based system that provides citizens with easy to understand recycling information when you need it most; it removes confusion, saves you time and reduces waste.

Packaging may look straightforward—it’s just plastic, glass, paper or metals. But there’s more to it than just the type of material it is, it depends on a range of factors such as shape, colour, inks or any additional materials within the packaging.

The ARL has been designed to provide information to consumers on how to dispose of each component of packaging, and by doing so, reduce contamination in the recycling bin and avoid extra waste management costs related to contamination and landfill.

Types of labels

There are three types of labels:

Label

Description

Australasian Recycling Label   box

Recyclable

The colour/opaque recycling symbol, means that this piece of packaging can be placed in the yellow lid recycling bin as it is.

Each piece of packaging with this label has to be placed separately in the recycling bin.

Australasian Recycling Label   instructions

Conditionally Recyclable

The clear/transparent recycling symbol means that you must follow the instructions to recycle this packaging component.

If instructions are not followed it will cause contamination to the recycling stream.

Australasian Recycling Label film

Not Recyclable

The bin symbol, means that this piece of packaging is not recyclable and you must place it in the red lid landfill bin. DO NOT place it in the recycling bin. It will not get recycled and it will contaminate the recycling stream.

Conditionally Recyclable Label instructions

Many items must be recycled through specific processes and this begins with how they are collected. Instructions may include the following.

Australian Recycling Labels   Component Instructions   Descriptions

How it works

How to interpret instructions on the three labels.

Australian Recycling Labels - Recycling Instructions   Final

More information

ARL is an element of Australian Packaging Covenant Organisation, Planet Ark and PREP Design that work in partnership with brands and packaging manufactures on a voluntary basis to provide easier to recycle packaging with greater consumer clarify about the packaging.

For more information, visit: Recycling Near You: Australasian Recycling labels