Glass Codes (GL 70–72)
Recycling binGlass bottles and jars: widely recycled. GL 70 = clear, 71 = green, 72 = brown.
Which bin?
Remove lids, rinse, and put in your glass recycling or take to a bottle bank.
What does it mean?
These codes identify glass by colour. GL 70 is clear/colourless glass. GL 71 is green glass. GL 72 is brown/amber glass. All are widely recycled via kerbside collection or bottle banks. The colour distinction matters for bottle banks (use the right slot) but not for kerbside bins. Remove metal lids (recycle separately), rinse, and recycle. Don't include drinking glasses, Pyrex, window glass, or mirrors: they're different types of glass.
What councils’ own lists say
Counted from the lists and containers of the 182 councils we have checked. The councils on the smaller side are named, each linked to its page. See every material compared.
Glass: collected in its own container by 17 of the 182 councils we have checked, and with the rest of the recycling by 124.
Its own container: Bridgend, Cardiff, Cheltenham, City of Edinburgh, Dorset, East Ayrshire, East Hampshire, Hounslow, Luton, Merthyr Tydfil, Monmouthshire, Na h-Eileanan Siar and 5 more.
Related symbols
Frequently asked questions
What does the Glass Codes (GL 70–72) symbol mean?
Glass bottles and jars: widely recycled. GL 70 = clear, 71 = green, 72 = brown.
Which bin do items with this symbol go in?
Remove lids, rinse, and put in your glass recycling or take to a bottle bank.