1. introduction to recycling symbols
Recycling symbols indicate which packaging allows the recovery of raw materials and what materials they are made of. The symbol coding system, which is used worldwide, promotes an increase in the amount of recyclable materials. Packaging manufacturers also use it to support environmental initiatives, build brand image and meet the Ministry of Environment’s recycling requirements.
2. meaning of recycling symbols
Three arrows arranged clockwise in a triangle indicate that the packaging is “recyclable.” The recycling symbol is well known around the world and widely used, although its shape is not regulated by any international agreement or regulation of the Ministry of the Environment. The “recyclable” sign with the appropriate coding determines which waste container the empty packaging should go into.
The triangle of arrows should not be confused with a marking in the form of two arrows pointing in opposite directions. The “reusable” symbol appears, for example, on glass beer bottles and kegs. It signifies that the packaging retains its properties after a single use and can be used at least two more times.
The two green and white arrows forming a circle are, in turn, the “green point” sign. The sign indicates that the manufacturer has made a financial contribution to the construction and operation of the waste system. The “recyclable” and “green dot” marks cannot be used interchangeably with the “recyclable” symbol, although they may appear side by side on the same package.
3. understand the different types of recycling symbols
Markings on packaging used by packaging manufacturers help segregate plastics, metals, glass, paper and biodegradable waste. Symbols are also used to mark equipment and items that require special conditions for storage and recycling (e.g., electro-waste, batteries, fluorescent tubes).
The Ministry of the Environment’s Regulation on How to Calculate Levels of Preparation for Reuse and Recycling of Municipal Waste, dated August 3, 2021, specifies how much waste should go to recycling in each municipality. Understanding recycling symbols plays a key role in increasing the percentage of recyclables in circulation. Recovery of recyclables should be as high as possible to reduce the amount of waste lying in landfills.
4. recycling signage on plastic packaging
Plastic such as plastic takes a long time to decompose in the environment, but is easy to recycle and use. PET bottles can be used to make fleece clothing, for example, after they have been used.
The symbols on the plastic packaging are numbered from 01 to 07 and 09.
Mark 01 PET is mainly found on water and beverage bottles and polyester fibers. Its recycling is simple and widely used. PET belongs to the group of safe plastics.
The 02 HDPE, or high-density polyethylene, designation appears on packaging that can be reused and recycled. An HDPE bottle rinsed with lukewarm water without aggressive cleaning agents does not have to go straight to the plastic bin. It can be used several times and only then recycled.
03 PVC can be placed on polyvinyl chloride packaging. It is used, among other things, for car part linings and window frames.
Symbol 04 LDPE is low-density polyethylene, also labeled as PE. Shopping bags, tubes or disposable dishes can be labeled with this symbol.
Code 05 PP, or polypropylene, appears on bags, mats, carpets, as well as on car bumpers and auto parts. PP, like PET, belongs to the group of safe plastics.
The 06 PS mark is polystyrene, or Styrofoam, considered unsafe for food. The triangle of arrows with the 06 PS mark can be seen on toys or flower pots.
Under the symbol 07 OTHER or OTHERS are all other plastics that can be used for recycling except for the production of food packaging. This includes plastics of organic origin, so-called bioplastics.
In turn, 09 ABS is the designation for acrylonitrile butadiene styrene. It is a hard material used, for example, to make wheel arches and housings for electronic equipment.
5. recycling markings on paper packaging
Paper and cellulose fiber materials have a numerical designation of 20-23.
The 20 C PAP code has been assigned to cardboard, corrugated cardboard, wrapping paper and any products made from these materials.20 C PAP packaging markings often appear on boxes used by courier companies.
The abbreviation 21 PAP appears on paper used for printing newspapers, postage, flyers and stationery.
22 PAP, on the other hand, is paper for copiers and printers.
23 PBD stands for coated papers and boards, such as book covers.
6. recycling markings on metal packaging
Metals are divided into two main groups of recyclables: iron and aluminum. The symbols on packaging do not include copper, even though it is massively recycled from various appliances, cables, etc.
40 FE is code for steel and galvanized sheet. It is mainly used for canning.
Abbreviation 41 ALU, on the other hand, is aluminum sheet, used for beverage cans.
7. recycling signage on glass
In the case of glass, recycling markings take into account the colors and types of material. They cannot be mixed, so the division into transparent and colored glass is mandatory before melting. What do the symbols on glass packaging mean?
70 GLS is a mixed, colorless glass commonly found in soda bottles, such as Coca-Cola. If the glass bottle has a disposable cork or cap, multiple glass recovery is not a problem.
71 GLS is green glass.
72 GLS – brown glass.
Brown glass is also designated as 73 GLS. The colored glass is used to make bottles for beer and other alcohols and some medicines.
GLS code 74 appears on lead-free glass.
75 GLS is a recycling mark on glass with a small admixture of lead for the manufacture of displays, TV screens, etc.
Under the acronym 76 GLS is lead glass, which is used less and less.
GLS code 77 copper-plated glass is used to make slides in watches and various components in electronic equipment.
Abbreviation 78 GLS is silvered glass, which is used for mirrors, tableware and decorations.
The 79 GLS symbol can be found on elegant tableware, glass decorations and computer components.
8. markings of pictograms placed on electronic waste
Electro-waste, or waste electrical and electronic equipment, is hazardous waste that contains substances harmful to humans and the environment. Segregation of raw materials from electro-waste is carried out only under proper conditions to minimize the risk of leakage of cadmium, bromine, mercury, etc.
There is a crossed-out trash garbage can symbol on household appliances and consumer electronics. The crossed-out trash garbage can means that used or broken equipment cannot be disposed of in the containers for mixed and segregated waste. Small equipment can be recycled and recovered by throwing it in special small garbage cans. Larger equipment can be donated to PSZOK.
9. other markings placed on packaging
Some packaging is made from multi-component materials, which are produced from two or more raw materials. These are waste materials that are difficult to recycle. Material from such packaging needs to be broken down into components from different raw materials. For example:
Code 81 PapPet are plastic-coated papers used for packaging pet food, ice cream and UHT milk.
84 PapAl is an aluminum-coated paper used to package margarines, butter and stock cubes.
A ribbon symbol with a leaf is increasingly appearing on various packages. This is a sign that the packaging is biodegradable “suitable for compost”. The packaging decomposes in the soil, so it can be disposed of along with organic waste.
The packages are also marked with the symbol of a man throwing trash into the trash. This is a “keep clean” environmental sign that promotes correct attitudes related to caring for the environment.
10. how to recycle properly based on symbols?
Proper recycling of packaging materials starts with paying attention to the symbols. In each symbol, the text form includes a numerical code, from which it is possible to read how to separate waste. The consumer should start by separating waste into metals and plastics, glass, paper, bio waste and mixed waste. The rest of the packaging, on which there is a sign, a numerical code and three arrows, should go into the yellow container for plastics and metals. The simpler and clearer the labeling a product has, the better.
The next stage of recycling is the separation of individual segregated waste according to the raw materials used in its production. For example, plastic for PET bottles must not be mixed with raw materials from group 07 OTHER. On plastic packaging, there are precise markings for each group, important especially for sorting plant workers.
11. the future of recycling symbols
The European Union wants each member state to reach a 60% recycling rate of waste by 2030. Manufacturers should therefore prepare to use more recycling packaging and labeling, raising the level of recovery of recyclable materials.
The 2018 EU Waste Framework Directive treats landfilling as a last resort. Reducing waste has enabled us to introduce RecPack eco-friendly packaging.
Thanks to them, the brand is implementing the idea of sustainability and gaining recognition among consumers who pay attention to eco-friendly packaging.
In the future, every cardboard box, glass cream jar, or food wrap should be marked with the appropriate recycling symbol. Without proper and legible labeling with commonly known and understood symbols, it will be impossible to achieve the objectives of the EU directive.
12 Summary
Packaging made of plastic, glass, paper or metal should always be marked with a recycling symbol with a numerical code and text form. Such marking makes it easier for consumers to segregate waste properly and reduces the amount of garbage going to landfills. At the same time, as many recyclable materials and materials without admixture of other raw materials as possible should be used for the production of food film, bottles or cardboard. In this way, consumers and manufacturers can jointly take care of the environment and the future of the planet.
