
A wax or asphalt coating, for example, prevents a corrugated product from being readily recyclable. If a corrugated product is coated with a material that is not repulpable (not convertible to pulp), then it is not readily recyclable. The symbol may be used without specific permission on all corrugated products that are readily recyclable. The Corrugated Packaging Council (CPC) has developed a 'recyclable' symbol for use on corrugated packaging that can be recycled. Although most glass containers can be considered recyclable, the symbol nevertheless encourages the systematic identifying, and reusing, of recyclable materials. The Glass Packaging Institute (GPI) has also developed a 'recyclable' symbol for use on glass packaging that can be recycled.

Remember, even though a product has been made from recycled materials, that same product can still be recycled for use in another product whose material requirements are less stringent. The remaining recycled paperboard content most likely resulted from material discarded from an earlier manufacturing process. In other words, at least 25% of the paperboard used to make the carton came from recycled products that passed through the hands of consumers.

Of that recyled content, at least 25% came from post consumer content. The paperboard material of the carton has been made from 100% recycled content. The symbol and explanation, as might be displayed on a carton, can be interpreted as follows. The graphical portion is a registered trademark and is controlled by the 100% Recycled Paperboard Alliance, an association of paperboard manufacturers, and is commonly seen on folding cartons or paperboard containers such as cereal boxes.įor illustration purposes only on this webpage, the registered trademark is shown in green while the descriptive explanation (not registered) is presented in black and varies from product to product. In recent years a new 'recycled' symbol specific to the use of recycled paperboard has been developed. Recycling Symbols 'Recycled' symbol for paperboard CARTON MADE WITH

When identified with one of the symbols, products, containers or packaging materials are referred to as recyclable products, or products that are able to be recycled.Īlthough the symbols are used on products distributed nationwide, the laws governing collection of these products for the purpose of recycling are determined locally and vary widely from locality to locality.Ī product, which may be a container or package, marked with this symbol was manufactured with at least some materials that have been recycled. Paper products typically display the outline form, often with lettering such as- 'This product can be recycled' or 'Recyclable'. The symbols to the left represent two variations of the original recycling symbol. The use of the terms 'recycled' and 'recyclable', among others, and the display of the symbols is governed by the Federal Trade Commission's Guides for the Use of Environmental Marketing Claims. ' Recycled' symbols designating products containing recycled materials.

' Recyclable' symbols marking products made from specific materials that are suitable for recycling depending on whether there is a collection mechanism in place within the local community for those particular materials. What do they all mean? Here is reference to many recycling symbols. There are many recycling symbols on products and packages.
