By As per the United Nations Environment Program, only 9% of all plastic ever manufactured has been recycled.
The recycling symbol, often referred to as the “chasing arrows” or “Mobius Loop,” is one of the most recognizable icons in the world. It signifies the concept of reduce, reuse, and recycle, and is intended to promote environmental sustainability. However, despite its widespread use, the symbol has become a source of confusion for many consumers. This confusion surrounding the logo has led California to ban its use on any non-recyclable product last year in October.
Origins of Recycling Symbol
In April 1970, an environmental activist named Gaylord Nelson founded Earth Day, the now annual event, as a response to an oil spill, which had seen an estimated 100,000 barrels of crude oil soak the shores of Santa Barbara, Calif., the previous year.
Just months after that first Earth Day, the Container Corporation of America (CCA), then the biggest manufacturer of corrugated boxes in the U.S. with a reputation for being at the forefront of corporate graphic design, plastered college campuses with posters encouraging aspiring designers to produce a symbol for future use on products made from recycled paper. Said symbol would be a public domain design with a prize of $2,500 and a fellowship to attend the 1970 International Design Conference at Aspen.
Recycling symbol created by Gary Anderson inspired by Mobius Strip
The 500 entries were judged by a team of design experts, including graphic arts legion Saul Bass and the influential IBM designer Eliot Noyes. The winner was a recent graduate of the USC School of Architecture by the name of Gary Anderson.
Gary Anderson’s design was inspired by the Mobius Strip, a mathematical concept representing infinity. The three arrows in the symbol represent the continuous loop of recycling: collecting recyclable materials, processing them into new products, and purchasing those products.
The Confusion Begins
In 1988, the Society of the Plastics Industry (SPI) introduced the Resin Identification Code (RIC), which uses the same Mobius Loop symbol but with a number (1 through 7) at the center. Each number represents a different type of plastic resin, such as PET (#1) or HDPE (#2). This system was designed to help recycling facilities sort and process plastics more efficiently1.
All that was good, but the similarity between the recycling symbol and the RIC has led to widespread misunderstanding among consumers, who often assume that any product bearing the symbol is recyclable. For instance, when the symbol is used on non-plastic items, it often includes a percentage at its center, indicating the amount of recycled content in the product. However, when used on plastic items, the symbol’s main purpose is to identify the type of resin used to make the plastic.
Simply, RIC was initially designed for people working in the recycling and plastic industry to help them sort and recycle the plastic and had nothing to do with consumers. But due to their similarity, both symbols are taken to be symbols for recycling and increase the confusion.
Understanding Recycling Symbols
At first glance, recycling symbols might seem straightforward, but they encompass a variety of meanings that can differ significantly depending on the context. The most recognized symbol is the Mobius loop, a triangle made of three arrows chasing each other, which represents the concept of recycling. However, within this symbol lies a complex web of information that can mislead consumers if not understood correctly.
The Mobius Loop and Resin Identification Codes
The Mobius loop is often accompanied by a number, known as the Resin Identification Code (RIC), which ranges from 1 to 7. Each number corresponds to a different type of plastic:
- 1 (PETE): Commonly used for soft drink and water bottles; widely recyclable.
- 2 (HDPE): Found in milk jugs and detergent bottles; also widely recyclable.
- 3 (PVC): Used for plumbing pipes and clear food packaging; not commonly recycled.
Resin Identification Codes (RIC) symbols for type of plastic material
- 4 (LDPE): Found in grocery bags; may be recyclable in some areas.
- 5 (PP): Used for yogurt containers; generally recyclable.
- 6 (PS): Used for disposable coffee cups and takeout containers; rarely recycled.
- 7 (Other): Includes various plastics like polycarbonate; often non-recyclable.
While the presence of a recycling symbol suggests that an item is recyclable, it does not guarantee that it will be accepted in curbside programs or local recycling facilities. This discrepancy contributes to widespread confusion among consumers regarding what can and cannot be recycled.
The Green Dot Misunderstanding
Green Dot symbol
Another symbol that often creates confusion is the Green Dot. Many consumers mistakenly believe it indicates that a product is recyclable. In reality, the Green Dot signifies that the producer has paid a fee toward recycling initiatives but does not imply that the packaging itself is recyclable. This misunderstanding can lead consumers to incorrectly dispose of non-recyclable items in their recycling bins, further complicating waste management efforts.
Consumer Confusion and Its Consequences
The similarity between the recycling symbol and RIC as well as the lack of knowledge makes it difficult for customers to distinguish between them. And most of the time RIC is assumed to symbolize the recycling nature of the plastic item. This negates the very meaning of the symbol for which it is placed there in the first place. This lack of clarity can result in significant consequences for recycling programs:
Affecting plastic recycling: It puts the burden on individuals to figure out whether an item is recyclable or if local recycling plants accept it. The system largely relies on individuals to do the right thing where they can easily trip up by the details.
Increased contamination: When non-recyclable items are placed in recycling bins, they contaminate the entire batch. This contamination can lead to entire loads being sent to landfills rather than being processed for recycling.
Economic impact: Recycling facilities incur additional costs when they have to sort through contaminated materials. This financial burden can strain municipal budgets and hinder effective recycling programs.
Environmental consequences: Inefficient recycling processes contribute to increased waste in landfills and higher carbon emissions from improperly managed waste.
Additional factors hampering efficient recycling
However, even if people are able to understand the numbers present at the center of the chasing arrow symbol and sort their garbage accordingly, there are other aspects as well that hamper the efficient recycling of plastic.
Like a lack of nearby recycling facilities and even if there is one that accepts certain items doesn’t mean that everything will be recycled. The recycling industry at large operates on a rule of thumb: Rigid plastic packaging goes into recycling and anything that isn’t rigid doesn’t.
Workers sorting out the plastic items in a recycling plant
The other issue is the process of sorting, and recycling plants employ various technologies like optical scanners along with workers to sort through the mountain of plastic items efficiently. But these scanners can have a hard time detecting flat items or reading darker colors.
Blue recycling bin
This sorting process is further increased owing to people wish-cycling and putting something in a recycling bin that doesn’t belong there. It puts the issue of sorting and separating on the recycling plants which are already under strain.
Efforts to Improve Clarity
Recognizing the challenges posed by confusing recycling symbols, various organizations are working to enhance clarity and improve recycling rates:
Clear communication: It is essential in reducing confusion. Labels on products should provide more context about their recyclability. For instance, instead of simply displaying the recycling symbol, manufacturers could include information about local recycling guidelines, encouraging consumers to check their local rules.
On-Pack Recycling Label (OPRL): This initiative provides clear guidance on whether packaging can be recycled or needs special handling. Labels indicate whether items should be placed in household bins or taken to specific collection points5.
Public Awareness Campaigns: Campaigns like WRAP UK’s “Clear on Plastics” aim to educate consumers about proper recycling practices and clarify what different symbols mean1.
Standardization Efforts: There are ongoing discussions about creating standardized symbols across regions to reduce confusion and improve consumer understanding globally
Final Word
The recycling symbol, with its neat and familiar triangle of arrows, represents an ideal of sustainability that many of us aim to uphold. However, the confusion surrounding its meaning and the inconsistencies in recycling practices across regions highlight the need for better clarity and more effective recycling systems. While the symbol itself is a step in the right direction, it is important for consumers, businesses, and governments to work together to make recycling more accessible, efficient, and truly sustainable. Until then, the recycling symbol remains a symbol of potential — but also one of neatly packed confusion.
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