Eco-Friendly Packaging

What is the On-Pack Recycling Label (OPRL) scheme in the UK?

πŸ›‘οΈ Fact-Checked: Packaging Technical Team πŸ“… Published: 19 Aug 2026 ⏱️ Read Time: ~2 mins πŸ‘ Views: 2
⚑ Direct Answer & Key Takeaways

Discover the UK On-Pack Recycling Label (OPRL) scheme β€” Recycle vs Do Not Recycle icons, kerbside compliance, and building consumer recycling trust.

Comprehensive Guide & Technical Breakdown

The On-Pack Recycling Label (OPRL) is the UK's standardized, recognized recycling label system displayed on retail packaging:

### Standard OPRL Labels:
1. Recycle (Circular Arrow): Packaging collected by at least 75% of UK local councils at kerbside (e.g. clean cardboard, paper boxes).
2. Recycle with Bags at Large Supermarket: Applied to flexible PE plastics and mailer films collected at supermarket drop-off points.
3. Do Not Recycle: Items collected by fewer than 50% of local councils or multi-layer non-separable materials.

### Why Add OPRL Icons to Your Boxes:

  • Eliminates consumer confusion at the recycling bin.

  • Demonstrates transparent environmental compliance under UK Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) guidelines.

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