Recycling symbol – a great help with waste separation
Everyone has seen them before, but they often go unnoticed. The small triangle on food packaging is a recycling symbol. It provides the consumer with important information about the packaging material and its proper disposal.
Its primary function is to support consumers in making environmentally sustainable purchasing decisions and disposing of packaging materials. If you are interested in doing something good for the environment and want to dispose of your waste even more responsibly in the future, this article is perfect for you.
Below you will learn the exact function of a recycling symbol and where it can be found. We will also explain what the different codes mean, as many people misunderstand the abbreviations and numbers. We will now discuss the added value the recycling symbol offers for the environment and why it is important to use recycling symbols when separating waste on a daily basis. To give you a comprehensive overview of the topic, we will cover the following chapters:
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Basics of the recycling symbol: Learn about the structure and origin of the recycling symbol.
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Waste separation and recycling symbol: Learn how to recognize how to dispose of packaging material using the recycling symbol.
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Why is the recycling symbol so important? In this chapter you will learn about the positive influence recycling symbols have on environmental protection.
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Additional tips to make waste separation easier: Here we have compiled some tips on how you can make proper waste separation even easier.
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Conclusion: Use the recycling symbol for responsible waste separation: Finally, we summarize the most important findings about the recycling symbol.
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Frequently asked questions about the recycling symbol: In addition, we answer some of the most frequently asked questions about the recycling symbol.
Basics of the recycling symbol
Before we explain how to interpret the various recycling symbols, we'll provide you with some basic information. This will give you a helpful overview of the topic, making it easier to understand the numerous recycling codes. This will also help you remember their meanings, which in turn will help you correctly separate your waste in everyday life.
What is the function of the recycling symbol?
The recycling symbol was introduced primarily for two reasons. Environmental considerations are paramount. The recycling symbol is intended to inform consumers about the composition of the packaging containing the desired item. The goal is to support consumers in two actions:
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Make environmentally conscious purchasing decisions: If you care about environmental protection and your ecological footprint, the recycling symbol can indicate which products you should avoid. Packaging made of metal and glass, in particular, has especially poor environmental ratings. Steel packaging, for example, is marked with the recycling code FE 40, while aluminum packaging bears the recycling symbol Alu 41. Glass, on the other hand, is marked with the abbreviations GL 70 to 72.
- Recycling symbols make waste separation easier: But recycling symbols aren't just helpful when shopping. They also play a useful role in the final disposal of packaging materials. If you're unsure where certain packaging should be disposed of, you can base your waste separation on the meaning of the symbols. For example, packaging and products bearing the abbreviation PET in their recycling symbol should be disposed of in the yellow bag or yellow bin.
The structure of the recycling symbols
The recycling symbol, as we know it today, has a long history. The recycling logo was designed in 1970 and first published by the Society of Plastics Industry in 1988.
However, the development only reached its final stage in 2013, when the recycling symbol acquired the triangular shape for which it is known today. This consists of three arrows forming a triangle, a number in the center that identifies the recycling symbol, and an abbreviation for the respective packaging material. Incidentally, the recycling symbol was introduced in the European Union on January 28, 1997.
Where can a recycling symbol be found?
The recycling symbol is primarily used today for labeling packaging. This includes plastic packaging, often used for food, as well as glass and metal packaging. Many single-use products also feature a corresponding recycling symbol, which facilitates the proper disposal of the product itself.
Waste separation and recycling symbol: a guide
So much for the theory, but how do recycling symbols work in practice? The numerous different recycling codes can make it difficult to keep track at first glance. To shed some light on the matter, the following explains which materials the most important recycling symbols represent and in which recycling bins the corresponding packaging must be disposed of.
The recycling symbol for the yellow bag
The yellow bag is essential for proper waste separation, as multiple recycling symbols indicate that the waste should be disposed of here. This generally applies to all plastic packaging. The recycling symbol on plastic packaging is particularly important because it is made from valuable mineral oil – a fossil, and therefore finite, resource. Packaging with the following recycling symbols belongs in the yellow bag:
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01 PET: Polyethylene terephthalate
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02 PE-HD: HDPE High-density polyethylene
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03 PVC: Polyvinyl chloride
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04 LDPE: Low-density polyethylene
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05 PP: Polypropylen
- 06 PS : Polystyrene
In addition to plastics, packaging containing aluminum also belongs in the yellow recycling bag. However, since the aluminum is often processed or present as an inner foil, it can be difficult to identify. Therefore, look for the recycling symbol 41 ALU to identify such waste.
Recycling symbol for the blue bin
The blue bin is therefore considered the most unambiguous waste container. However, it can often be difficult to determine precisely whether a particular material is actually paper. A quick test: Do empty milk cartons go in the blue bin? Answer: No, milk cartons are usually made of a composite material and are therefore properly disposed of in the yellow bag. Here you will find a list of recycling symbols that clearly indicate disposal in the blue bin:
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20 PAP: Corrugated cardboard
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21 PAP: Other cardboard
- 22 PAP: Paper
Recycling symbols and residual waste
It's easy to assume that there are numerous recycling symbols for residual waste. The familiar black bin is primarily characterized by the fact that it's for all waste that can't be easily categorized elsewhere. However, this assumption is incorrect. Residual waste is not intended for waste bearing recycling symbols. Nevertheless, many households use residual waste to dispose of metal parts or electronic waste. These belong in the recycling bin.
Why is the recycling symbol so important?
Environmental protection should be a concern for society as a whole, which is why every consumer can contribute. The recycling symbol helps ensure that your waste is processed and reused correctly.
The recycling symbol is all the more important given the immense and ever-increasing demand for natural resources in our global consumer society. Ores are mined, forests are cleared, and crude oil is extracted to produce goods and the necessary packaging. To put this in perspective: the average German citizen consumes 16,000 kg of raw materials annually.
Recycling efforts, for which the symbol is central, are succeeding in mitigating this burden. 12% of the 16,000 kg can be attributed to recycled products and packaging. As you can see, by shopping consciously and disposing of waste properly, you can contribute to increasing this percentage, thus conserving natural resources and protecting the environment as a whole.
Additional tips to make waste separation easier
Even if you now have a basic understanding of the different recycling symbols, the sheer number of symbols and possible packaging materials can still sometimes be confusing. Furthermore, it's not always easy to follow the recycling codes. Even with the best intentions, many people find that convenience and habit get in the way of proper waste separation.
Our tip is to arrange your waste containers in a structured way and memorize the order. It can also help to color-code the bins. People respond much more easily to visual cues than to mere memory. Our high-quality bin enclosures are a great option for this . They not only protect your bins but are also perfect for labeling them with colored magnets.
Furthermore, we exclusively offer the option of having such a box custom-made. This means we can paint the box in numerous colors. For example, you can store your yellow recycling bin in a yellow box, while your general waste bin is kept in a black enclosure.
Conclusion: Use the recycling symbol for responsible waste separation
As you have now learned, the recycling symbol plays an important role in the sustainable use of resources and environmental protection. In our article, you learned what the individual recycling codes mean and how to dispose of corresponding products and packaging materials properly. This way, you can easily contribute to environmental protection and reduce your ecological footprint.
Frequently asked questions about the recycling symbol
As you can see, the topic of recycling is complex, but our article provides a practical guide to help you get started. It's understandable, however, that some questions may still arise. But don't worry! Below, we've compiled and clearly answered the most frequently asked questions about recycling symbols. This way, you can not only find specific answers but also quickly get a general overview of the topic.
How can you recognize a recycling symbol?
The recycling symbol consists of three arrows forming a triangle. In the center is a number that identifies the material. Additionally, below the recycling symbol is an abbreviation indicating the packaging material.
What is the function of the recycling symbol?
The recycling symbol helps you shop more sustainably. It also helps you dispose of products and packaging properly.
