Getting the on-pack recycling label right matters for both compliance and for consumers actually recycling your packaging correctly. This checker maps a material to its recyclability tier and the exact UK OPRL and US How2Recycle label text, so designers and brand teams can apply the correct mark to every component.
How it works
The UK OPRL scheme uses a largely binary rule. A component is labelled Recycle if at least 75% of UK local authorities collect that material kerbside, and Don’t Recycle otherwise. Certain streams carry special labels, such as Recycle with bags at large supermarket for plastic films, or Recycle - Rinse where food residue must be removed first.
The US How2Recycle scheme uses four tiers instead: Widely Recycled, Check Locally, Store Drop-Off, and Not Yet Recycled. The tool returns both labels plus a plain-language recyclability tier and any required handling note.
Common materials and their labels
| Material | UK OPRL | US How2Recycle | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| PET bottle (clear) | Recycle - Empty | Widely Recycled | Most widely recycled plastic |
| HDPE rigid bottle | Recycle - Empty | Widely Recycled | Milk bottles, detergent |
| PP rigid tub | Recycle - Rinse | Widely Recycled | Yogurt pots, takeaway containers |
| Polystyrene (EPS) | Don’t Recycle | Not Yet Recycled | Foam food trays |
| Flexible PE film | Don’t Recycle (kerbside) / Recycle with bags at large supermarket | Store Drop-Off | Bread bags, crisp inner bags |
| Cardboard (corrugated) | Recycle | Widely Recycled | Flatten before recycling |
| Paperboard carton | Recycle - Flatten | Widely Recycled | Dry food boxes |
| Beverage carton (Tetra) | Recycle | Check Locally | Collection varies by area |
| PVC (clamshell) | Don’t Recycle | Not Yet Recycled | Rarely collected kerbside |
| Compostable PLA | Don’t Recycle | Not Yet Recycled | Contaminates plastic stream |
Why component-level labelling matters
Multi-material packaging creates a consumer decision problem. A PET bottle with a metallised shrink-wrap label is not wholly recyclable as a single unit: the bottle body is recyclable while the sleeve contaminates the stream unless removed. Applying a single label to the pack as a whole — typically based on the main component — misrepresents the recyclability of the secondary materials. Both OPRL and How2Recycle now encourage or require separate labels on each discrete component, particularly when the secondary components are non-recyclable.
In practice, this means a product design review should ask: how many materials does this package combine, and can consumers separate them before disposal? Where separation is impractical (a laminated pouch, for instance), the whole pack takes the recyclability tier of its least-recyclable material stream.
Understanding the UK 75% threshold
OPRL’s “at least 75% of UK local authorities” threshold is specific to kerbside collection. Infrastructure varies significantly between councils — a material collected in urban authorities may not be collected in rural ones. This is why the same material can carry a Recycle label in some regions and not in others under a localized approach.
OPRL revises its thresholds periodically as collection infrastructure improves. PP (polypropylene) rigid packaging crossed the 75% threshold relatively recently, upgrading from Don’t Recycle to Recycle for many rigid forms. Recyclability tiers change, so labels applied under old guidance may no longer reflect the current status. Review your on-pack labels against the current OPRL guidance each year.
Tips and notes
Always label each distinct component of a multi-part pack separately — a recyclable bottle with a non-recyclable sleeve needs both marks. Recyclability tiers shift as collection infrastructure improves, so revisit labels when scheme guidance updates. This tool reflects commonly accepted material classifications; always validate against current OPRL and How2Recycle scheme guidance before print.