Recycling symbols on packaging explained plus 20 free downloads

Chances are you have already seen recycling symbols on packaging you have come into contact with today.

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And with the vast majority of businesses striving to become more environmentally sustainable in the face of changing consumer demands, the use of recycled and recyclable packaging is likely to continue.

But look closer and you will see there a surprisingly large number of different recycling symbols. What do they all mean? And, should your business be using them on your own transit or ecommerce packaging?

This guide, as well as explaining recycling symbols (which effectively detail how different packaging can be recycled), also provides a number of free resources.

This includes free vector (EPS) and JPEG downloads of all the major recycling symbols for you to use when creating the print artwork for your own packaging (please note permission / accreditation may be required to use specific logos).

The following symbols and logos provided for free download on this page as either vector (EPS) or bitmap (JPEG) format, for you to use as appropriate.

Please note that the downloadable files provided below are for use when you have the appropriate permission from the copyright holder, or governing body. It is your responsibility to ensure you can legally use these logos, and that you adhere to the correct usage guidelines. GWP Group Ltd can accept no responsibility for unlawful or incorrect use of the supplied symbols. If you have any doubt, please contact us using the details on this page.

It is also your responsibility to ensure that any symbols used are done so in the correct manner.

GWP Group Ltd can accept no responsibility for unlawful or incorrect use of the supplied symbols. GWP can also accept no responsibility for damage or loss resulting from incorrect usage of these symbols on your packaging.

However, if you have any doubt, please contact us using the details on this page.

Before providing a detailed explanation of each specific logo, the below recycling symbols chart provides a brief overview, illustration and the option to download the artwork files as required.

This chart provides an “at a glance” reference for seeing if / how specific types of packaging can be recycled, as well as those which are applicable for your own business’ packaging.

The remainder of this guide focuses on providing further details on those recycling symbols which would be most applicable to include on your corrugated packaging.

This will allow your business to not only chose the most appropriate recycling symbols for your packaging, but also educate your customers / end users on how best to recycle your packaging.

Businesses are also increasingly using recycling symbols to promote their environmental credentials – something which is growing in importance with specific consumer demographics who expect more sustainable packaging.

The Mobius loop is perhaps the most recognisable recycling sign.

Originally created by Gary Anderson, the three arrows are used to represent the three “R”s  – reducing, reusing and recycling. The negative space (in the centre) is also designed to represent a pine tree, whilst also being a variant of the traditional “Mobius” loop which symbolises continuity with a finite entity.

As the symbol was originally going to apply to just paper, the folding chasing arrows were designed to resemble folded newspapers.

There are actually 2 variants of this logo which can be used on your corrugated packaging.

The first, the symbol on its own, is now generally understood to be the international symbol for recycling, indicating that the packaging can be recycled. It doesn’t indicate that the packaging has been or is made from recycled material, merely that it can be in the future.

The Mobius loop with a percentage figure however, is used to show how much of the pack has been manufactured from recycled materials.

The Green Dot logo does not actually mean that the packaging in question has been recycled, nor that it can be recycled (meaning it can sometimes be found on reusable packaging). It simply signifies that the producer has made a (usually financial) contribution towards the recycling of packaging.

The logo is an internationally protected trademark of PRO Europe – Packaging Recovery Organisation Europe – and a valid license must be obtained before you are able to use the symbol on your packaging.

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It is mandatory in France, Germany, Portugal and Spain, whilst voluntary in most of the rest of Europe (including the UK). It is required specifically on the unit sales of packaging where it is visible to the consumer.

Taken from PRO Europe’s guidelines for use:

“The Green Dot” trademark is an internationally protected and well-known symbol. These guidelines are intended to help companies using “The Green Dot” on their packaging – based on a valid license agreement with an authorized national packaging recovery organization – to use the symbol in the correct manner.  

Definition: Any reference to “The Green Dot” trademark on packaging, must comply fully with the following definition. This definition follows from the trademark statute and is an essential part of license agreements between PRO EUROPE – Packaging Recovery Organisation Europe as the general licensee of the “The Green Dot” trademark rights on the one hand and the national PRO Europe member systems on the other hand.  

“The Green Dot” trademark on packaging means that for such packaging, a financial contribution has been paid to a national packaging recovery company that has been set up in accordance with the principles defined in European Directive No. 94/62 and the corresponding national law.

For further information and details, please visit the PRO Europe website by clicking here.

Developed by the International Corrugated Case Association, the Corrugated Recycles symbol can be used internationally to both promote the recycling of corrugated and highlight that is recyclable.

The symbol can be used freely (there is no cost or registration process, unlike the Green Dot), providing there are no national or local laws prohibiting its use.

It is however important to point out that putting the symbol on a corrugated container does not indicate that the packaging is manufactured from recycled material, but rather means that the pack could (and should) be recycled.

The FSC’s “Tick tree” recycling symbol is used to signify that products are certified under the Forest Stewardship Council system.

What this means in practice, is that paper, card and wood products are produced from well managed forests.

The FSC is a global, not for profit organisation promoting responsible forest management throughout the world. It enables both businesses and consumers to make an informed choice about the products they buy that originate from forests.

The vast majority of the corrugated cardboard that GWP Group use in manufacturing your packaging is FSC approved. GWP can also offer “chain of custody” certification (registration can be viewed here).

Please speak with a GWP sales advisor if you are interested in using this symbol on your packaging.

For further information on the FSC, please watch the video below, or visit their website at fsc-uk.org

The “Seedling” logo is a registered trademark of European Bioplastics, so suitable permissions / licensing would be required if you were you to use this recycling symbol on your packaging.

Use of it indicates packaging / products are certified industrially compostable according to the European standard EN . Successfully certified products will fully biodegrade in an industrial composting plant under controlled conditions such as temperature, moisture and time frame – leaving nothing behind but water, biomass and CO2

For further information, please visit the European Bioplastics website here, or view the usage guidelines here.

The final logo was originally created by the National Association of Paper Merchants, which was wound up in .

However, the mark is still occasionally referenced, and  indicates that a specific paper or board is made from a minimum of 75% genuine waste paper and / or board fibre, no part of which should contain mill produced waste fibre.

With a surprisingly large number of packaging recycling symbols becoming ever more prevalent, it is important to select the right one for use on your corrugated transit cartons or retail packaging.

Should you have any questions regarding the best option for your specific application, need help with a packaging reduction project, or are interested in GWP’s own environmental initiatives, please get in touch.

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