On-pack recycling labels
The OPRL labels (“Recycle”, “Recycle – rinse”, “Don’t recycle”) are the UK’s standard on-pack recycling marks, and Defra has said the OPRL label meets the planned requirements. Under packaging Extended Producer Responsibility (pEPR), mandatory recycling labels were due from April 2027. Defra has since said this won’t be enforced from that date, as a temporary position, with labelling to return in future changes to the rules. Many retailers still expect it, and adding it at your next reprint costs nothing extra.
Packaging EPR fees
Businesses with a turnover over £1 million that handle more than 25 tonnes of packaging a year must report the packaging they place on the market. Those over £2 million and 50 tonnes also pay fees based on weight and material. Fees are adjusted by how recyclable the packaging is. Most small supplement brands fall below the thresholds, but it’s worth checking with GOV.UK each year as you grow.
Can your label stop a pack being recycled?
Yes, sometimes. Recycling plants sort packaging by material, often with optical scanners. Problems come from:
- Labels covering most of a bottle in a different plastic, which can cause the bottle to be sorted wrongly.
- Adhesives that don’t wash off clean in PET recycling.
- Metallised or foil labels on clear plastic.
A PP label on a PP tub is a good match. For PET bottles, keep labels to a sensible size and ask about wash-off adhesives. See recyclable label materials.
Recycling claims to avoid
- “Recyclable” on a pouch that no kerbside scheme collects.
- “Eco-friendly” or “sustainable” with no specific evidence.
- “Plastic free” when the label, liner or lid contains plastic.
- Using a resin code triangle as if it were a recycling symbol.
Environmental claims must be specific, accurate and provable. The Competition and Markets Authority has a Green Claims Code, and the advertising regulator applies the same standards to packs and ads.
Recycling the label backing
Most label waste is the backing paper (liner) left after application. Brands using applicators produce a lot of it. Thinner liners and liner-recycling schemes reduce it. Ask us about options when you order rolls for machine application.
Not legal advice. This guide covers the general rules for food supplements sold in Great Britain. Check your own product with a regulatory adviser, your local Trading Standards team or your Primary Authority partner.