The Australasian Recycling Label is an evidence-based system for Australia and New Zealand, that provides you with easy to understand recycling information when you need it most. It removes confusion, saves you time and reduces waste going to landfill.
How Does It Work?
There are three types of labels:
Why Do We Need It?
Australians and New Zealanders care about the environment and want to do the right thing. But with hundreds of recycling labels out there, getting recycling right can be confusing and even recycling gurus get it wrong.
The Australasian Recycling Label removes recycling confusion. When we dispose of our waste correctly, we keep contamination out of the recycling stream and recyclable material away from landfill.
Unlike other labels, the Australasian Recycling Label is an evidence-based system underpinned by the Packaging Recyclability Evaluation Portal (PREP). As not all packaging is created equal, not all recycling labels should be the same. It is not possible for a piece of packaging to have the Australasian Recycling Label without a PREP assessment that backs up disposal claims.
Packaging recyclability is much more than just the material it is made of. Things like shape, weight, inks and glues, can impact the recyclability of an item. The Australasian Recycling Label takes all of this into consideration as well as the amount of the population that has access for that item to be recycled via their kerbside recycling collection service.
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Know The Labels
Recyclable: The coloured/opaque recycling symbol, means that this piece of packaging can be placed in the recycling bin as it is. Each piece of packaging with this label has to be placed separately in the recycling bin.
Conditionally Recyclable: The clear/ transparent recycling symbol means that you must follow the instructions to recycle this packaging component. If you don’t follow the instructions it has to go in the rubbish bin, as it will otherwise not be recycled and cause contamination to the recycling stream.
Not Recyclable: The bin symbol, means that this piece of packaging is not recyclable and you must place it in the rubbish 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
You may have seen the below instructions on your packaging items! Click on each instruction below to find out why you need to follow them for your packaging to be recycled.
Resources
For Australia only. New Zealand resources will be available in 2020.
Councils

Waste Groups

Educators

NGO's & Community Groups

Get The Label
If you are a brand owner, or packaging manufacturer who wants to get the Australasian Recycling Label on your packaging, please contact the Australian Packaging Covenant Organisation (APCO) on apco@packagingcovenant.org.au or phone (02) 8381 3700.
Contact Us
Have any questions on the ARL? Don’t hesitate to contact us!
Partnerships
The Australasian Recycling Label is an element of APCO’s Packaging Recycling Label Program. APCO, Planet Ark and PREP Design are working in partnership to deliver the program. This will help consumers better understand how to recycle products effectively and assist brand owners to design packaging that is recyclable at end-of-life. This scheme aims to increase recycling and recovery rates and contribute to cleaner recycling streams.
The labelling program will reduce waste by:
- Delivering a clear, well-understood label that will provide greater consumer clarity about what packaging can be recycled.
- Increasing the recovery of recyclable materials and reducing contamination in the waste stream.
- Helping brands to design packaging that is easier to recycle.
- Supporting businesses to inform consumers about the recyclability of their packaging.