Recycling symbols are more than just logos, as they are essential resources for business-to-business (B2B) organisations, such as manufacturers and packaging designers. When used appropriately, these symbols will support sustainability goals.
Clear and accurate labels make it easier to recycle materials properly, demonstrating a business’s commitment to a healthy environment. Simple symbols can have a significant impact on ethical business practices. Read on to learn a lot about a recycle symbol logo and learn how a business should make use of it.
The Value of Recycling Symbols
Knowing what can and cannot be recycled is becoming increasingly crucial as the world deals with the growing volumes of waste produced daily. Organisations must not only divert more waste from landfills but also keep materials in use for as long as possible to minimise the environmental impact of extracting them and reduce their dependence on virgin materials, especially those derived from fossil fuels and oil.
Manufacturers must use a recycle symbol logo with more clarity and transparency so that waste handlers and recovery partners can efficiently process packaging materials and reduce the risk of contamination or fines.
This is why there are an increasing number of recycling symbols in use today. The list will continue to expand and improve as curbside collections and improved recycling systems become increasingly necessary.
The Need for Clear Recycling Labels in Business
Recycling labels are essential for directing waste managers, facility operators, material recovery facilities (MRFs), and supply chain stakeholders, but their advantages also extend to business-to-business transactions. Waste haulers may be forced to reject entire containers due to mislabeled or unclear symbols, which would increase the cost of disposal. Conversely, an appropriate recycle symbol logo increases recovery yields, lowers contamination rates, and enhances sorting efficiency, converting regulatory compliance into financial and environmental benefits.
Types of Recycling Symbols
The following is a summary of the most often used recycling symbols according to material type.
Symbols For Recycling Plastic
This is the Resin Identification Code (RIC), which is typically displayed as a triangle with a number within.
#1 (PET) –
Found on soft drinks and water bottles.
#2 (HDPE) –
Common in detergent bottles and milk containers.
Recycling professionals can determine the type of plastic and its recyclability by using these numbers (1–7).
Cardboard and paper
The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) logo or a variation of the chasing arrows is often used as a recycling symbol for paper.
The FSC logo can recognize material originating from properly managed forests.
A unique recycling label that indicates reusability and recyclable materials may be found on corrugated packaging.
Glass
Glass recycling symbols often indicate whether an item is recyclable and may also specify whether colour sorting is required (e.g., clear, green, or brown glass).
The Metal
The presence of symbols on recyclable metal products, such as steel tins and aluminium cans, indicates that the material is widely recyclable.
The Universal Recycling Symbol
Reducing, reusing, and recycling are represented by the traditional three arrows chasing each other. It acts as a global symbol to encourage recycling.
Businesses may contribute to the creation of a cleaner, more sustainable future, and they will promote sustainable practices by doing so.
How to Interpret and Read Recycling Symbols?
Being a business owner, have you ever questioned the meaning of those tiny symbols on cans, bottles, or boxes? Recognising recycling symbols is an easy and effective way to help protect the Earth. These symbols provide you with fast hints on how to classify your garbage appropriately. Here’s how to quickly understand them.
Resin Codes (Plastics)
The term “resin identification code” refers to the number between 1 and 7 that appears inside an arrow-shaped triangle on a plastic product. You can determine the sort of plastic from each number. For instance, 1 denotes PET, which is generally recyclable and includes items like water bottles. However, seven denotes “Other” and could not be recyclable in your region. You can use these figures to help you decide what belongs in the recycling bin.
Chasing Arrows Symbol
The most commonly used recycling logo is this triangle with arrows inside. It typically indicates that the product is recyclable, although not always. The words “Not Recyclable” may be displayed next to some products even though they carry the arrow symbol. To be sure, always make sure there is no further text.
Colour-Coded Glass Symbols
Glass recycling often utilises colour coding. For example, you may see icons for brown, green, or clear glass. It is best to adhere to the colour codes if your local program uses them, as mixing them up might occasionally result in recycling issues.
Follow Local Rules
Not all places have the same recycling regulations. What one city accepts may not be accepted in another. To stay up-to-date, always check with the waste management service in your area for the most accurate information.
Overall, particularly with colour-coded materials like glass or multilayer composites, businesses should ensure that their internal teams and suppliers comply with local recycling regulations. Responsible resource use and quantifiable impact are more important than compliance when it comes to proper labelling.
Aligning Recycling Symbols with Business Operations
For business-to-business (B2B) businesses, using recycling symbols correctly is about more than just following regulations; it’s also about coordinating operations with long-term environmental objectives. To ensure that the appropriate recycling symbols are applied to all goods that move through the supply chain, collaboration is necessary among packaging teams, procurement managers, and sustainability officers.
Uncertain or incorrect labelling can result in rejections at material recovery facilities (MRFs), pollution of recycling streams, and increased expenses for processing or disposal. Because of this, a crucial component of quality control is symbol clarity.
Training Teams and Suppliers
Businesses need to be proactive in teaching their internal teams and external suppliers the proper placement and meaning of recycling labels. Building awareness and uniformity can be achieved through performing package audits, publishing internal labelling guidelines, and hosting supplier training sessions.
For instance, establishments that manufacture intricate packaging or multilayer plastic films are required to display the material compositions prominently. Recycling partners find it simpler to classify and handle waste properly as a result.
Final Words
Change your packaging to premium, traceable, recyclable materials by partnering with Banyan Nation. Without sacrificing performance, our human-contact-safe rPE and rPP resins enable top companies to achieve their sustainability objectives. Also, our solutions provide traceability, sustainability, and the appropriate use of the recycle symbol logo by circular economy guidelines. Contact the team now to collaborate on creating a more sustainable future!
