The best examples of recycling symbols for paper products explained

Real-world examples of recycling symbols for paper products explained

Let’s start where your brain actually starts: with real objects in your hands. Here are some of the most common examples of recycling symbols for paper products explained through everyday items you probably have at home right now.

Picture your kitchen:

You finish a bowl of cereal. On the bottom of the box, you see the chasing arrows triangle with the word “Recyclable” and sometimes the phrase “Paperboard – Widely Recycled.” That symbol is telling you the box (once empty and flattened) belongs in your paper or mixed recycling bin.

Now your home office:

On a ream of printer paper, you might see the chasing arrows with “Made from 30% post-consumer recycled fiber” plus an FSC tree logo. That combination of symbols says two things: the paper is recyclable, and it also contains recycled content from previous users.

In the bathroom:

On a tissue box or toilet paper packaging, you might see “Recyclable where facilities exist” or “Check locally – Not recycled in all communities.” Same chasing arrows, but with a warning label: your local recycling program might not want that packaging, especially if it’s lined with plastic.

On your front porch:

Amazon-style shipping boxes often have a simple recycling logo with wording like “Corrugated Recycles” or just a small chasing arrows symbol. That’s your green light to flatten the box, remove tape and labels if required by your hauler, and recycle it.

These are just a few examples of recycling symbols for paper products explained through real packaging. The rest of this guide breaks down what those symbols actually mean and how to use them in day-to-day life.

The chasing arrows: the most common example of paper recycling symbols

When people think of recycling, they think of the three chasing arrows in a triangle. It shows up on:

• Cereal boxes
• Pasta and cracker boxes
• Shoe boxes
• Printer paper packaging
• Junk mail and envelopes

For paper products, this symbol usually appears with extra wording that gives context. Some of the best examples of recycling symbols for paper products explained through the chasing arrows include:

• “Widely Recycled” on cardboard boxes and paperboard packaging
• “Recyclable” on office paper and school notebooks
• “Check Locally” on coated food boxes (like freezer boxes)
• “Not Yet Recycled” on some fancy, heavily laminated paper packaging

Here’s the twist: in the U.S., the chasing arrows symbol by itself is not a guarantee that your local program accepts that item. That’s why more brands are adding text like “Widely Recycled” or “Check Locally.”

For up‑to‑date guidance on what your local program accepts, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has a helpful overview of recycling basics and links to local resources: https://www.epa.gov/recycle.

How newer labels explain recyclability for paper products

Over the last few years, brands have started using clearer, text-based labels to avoid confusion. One of the most visible systems in North America is the How2Recycle label, which you’ll often see on paper packaging.

Some real examples of recycling symbols for paper products explained using these newer labels:

• A box of granola bars might have a small panel that says “Box – Widely Recycled” with a little recycling icon, and “Wrapper – Not Yet Recycled” next to a trash icon.
• A frozen pizza box could say “Check Locally – Not recycled in all communities” because the box is coated to resist grease and moisture.
• A mailer envelope may say “Paper Mailer – Widely Recycled” but “Plastic Pouch – Remove and discard” if there’s a bubble layer inside.

These labels are trying to do what we’re doing here: give clear, specific examples of recycling symbols for paper products explained in plain English, not just a mysterious triangle.

You can learn more about how these labels are designed at How2Recycle’s site: https://how2recycle.info.

Common paper products and what their recycling symbols really mean

Let’s walk through specific paper items you probably use weekly, and look at the examples of recycling symbols for paper products explained on each.

Cardboard shipping boxes

Think: online shopping boxes, appliance boxes, moving boxes.

Typical symbols and wording:

• Chasing arrows with “Corrugated Recycles” or just the arrows symbol
• Sometimes a statement like “100% Recycled Content” or “Made from Recycled Paper”

How to interpret it:

• If the box is clean and dry, that symbol is your cue to recycle it.
• Flatten the box to save space and help sorting equipment.
• Remove plastic air pillows, bubble wrap, and foam. The recycling symbol is for the box, not the packing materials.

Cereal boxes and pantry paperboard

Think: cereal, crackers, pasta, snack bars.

Typical labels:

• Chasing arrows plus “Paperboard – Widely Recycled”
• Sometimes a How2Recycle label with a bold “Widely Recycled” statement

How to interpret it:

• Empty the box, remove any plastic bag liners, and flatten.
• The symbol applies to the box only, not the plastic inner bag.

Office paper and school notebooks

Think: printer paper, notebooks, loose-leaf paper, envelopes.

Typical labels:

• Chasing arrows with “Recyclable”
• FSC tree logo plus wording like “Mixed Sources” or “100% Recycled”

How to interpret it:

• Writing, printing, and note-taking are all fine; the paper is still recyclable.
• Spiral bindings, plastic covers, and elastic bands usually need to be removed if your recycler requires it.

The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) explains its certification labels here: https://fsc.org/en/fsc-labels.

Paper cups and to-go packaging

Think: coffee cups, soda cups, fast-food drink cups.

This is where people get tripped up.

Typical labels:

• Sometimes a chasing arrows symbol with “Cup – Check Locally”
• Sometimes no recycling symbol at all

How to interpret it:

• Most disposable paper cups are lined with plastic to hold liquids.
• Even if they display a recycling symbol, many local programs do not accept them in curbside bins.
• If the symbol says “Check Locally”, check your city or hauler’s website before tossing them in the bin.

Paper towels, napkins, and tissues

Think: kitchen paper towels, facial tissues, paper napkins.

Typical labels:

• Often no recycling symbol
• Sometimes wording like “Made with Recycled Fiber” but not labeled as recyclable

How to interpret it:

• Even if made from recycled content, used paper towels and tissues are generally not recyclable due to contamination and short fibers.
• Some composting programs accept unbleached, unprinted paper towels and napkins, but that’s a separate symbol from recycling.

The EPA provides guidance on what typically can and cannot be recycled in community programs: https://www.epa.gov/recycle/how-do-i-recycle-common-recyclables.

Junk mail and envelopes

Think: flyers, catalogs, bills, greeting cards.

Typical labels:

• Chasing arrows with “Please Recycle”
• Sometimes no symbol, especially on older mail

How to interpret it:

• Plain paper, envelopes, and most greeting cards can usually be recycled.
• Remove plastic windows if your local program asks you to, though many modern facilities can handle them.
• Foil, glitter, and plastic decorations are a red flag; those items often belong in the trash.

Why some paper products have recycling symbols but still confuse people

You might wonder why a coffee cup or a shiny gift box has a recycling symbol if your city says not to recycle it. This is where context matters.

Some examples of recycling symbols for paper products explained in a confusing way:

• A glossy gift box with a small chasing arrows symbol but no text, even though the coating may make it hard to recycle.
• A paper coffee cup with a tiny recycling icon that really refers only to the cardboard sleeve, not the cup itself.
• A frozen food box labeled “Recyclable” in one country but not accepted in U.S. curbside programs because of its plastic coating.

In 2024 and 2025, there’s growing pressure in the U.S. and internationally to standardize and clarify these labels. Several states are working on truth-in-labeling laws so that a recycling symbol can’t be used unless there’s real, practical recycling available to most residents.

Until those rules fully kick in, the safest move is to:

• Read the words next to the symbol, not just the symbol.
• Check your local recycling rules, especially for coated or food-soiled paper.

How recycling symbols for paper products are changing in 2024–2025

A few important trends are shaping what you see on packages now:

More specific wording. Instead of a vague triangle, you’re more likely to see labels like “Widely Recycled,” “Check Locally,” or “Not Yet Recycled.” These are clearer examples of recycling symbols for paper products explained in language regular people actually understand.

More focus on fiber quality. Paper mills are asking for clean, dry fiber. That’s why you’re seeing more guidance around keeping greasy pizza boxes, food-soiled paper, and wet paper out of the bin. The symbol might still be there, but local programs may exclude certain contaminated items.

Increased use of recycled content labels. You’ll see more statements like “Made with 50% post-consumer recycled fiber.” That doesn’t tell you whether to recycle the item, but it tells you the manufacturer is using recycled paper as an input.

Digital tools. Many brands now pair their recycling symbols with QR codes or website links. Scan the code, and you get a localized explanation of how to recycle that specific package where you live.

For broader context on recycling trends and markets, the American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) tracks U.S. paper recycling rates and fiber use: https://www.afandpa.org.

How to use these symbols to recycle paper correctly

Let’s pull this together into a simple, practical way to use all these examples of recycling symbols for paper products explained above.

When you pick up a paper item, run through this quick mental checklist:

1. Look for words, not just the triangle.

If you see:

• “Widely Recycled” – It’s almost always okay in your curbside paper or mixed recycling, as long as it’s clean and dry.
• “Check Locally” – Visit your city or hauler’s website, or use a recycling search tool, before tossing it in the bin.
• “Not Yet Recycled” – This belongs in the trash, even if it’s made of paper.

2. Check for contamination.

Even if the symbol says recyclable, most programs do not want:

• Greasy pizza boxes saturated with oil and cheese
• Paper plates with food stuck on
• Soaked or dirty paper towels and tissues

If only part of the item is dirty (for example, the bottom of a pizza box), you can often tear off the clean lid and recycle that.

3. Separate mixed materials when possible.

If a symbol says something like “Box – Recycle / Wrapper – Trash”, follow that breakdown. The recycling symbol for the paper part doesn’t magically cover the plastic, foil, or foam.

4. When in doubt, check a trusted source.

The EPA’s recycling pages and your local government or hauler website will usually have a clear list of accepted paper items. If you want to go deeper into recycling education, the nonprofit Earth911 maintains a searchable database of local recycling options: https://earth911.com.

FAQ: Real examples of recycling symbols for paper products explained

Q1: Can you give a quick example of a recycling symbol on a paper product and what it means?
A common example is a cereal box with the chasing arrows symbol and the words “Paperboard – Widely Recycled.” That tells you the box, once empty and flattened, can go into most curbside recycling programs, but the plastic inner bag cannot.

Q2: Are paper coffee cups recyclable if they have a recycling symbol?
Not always. Many paper cups have a thin plastic lining that makes them difficult to process. Even if there’s a recycling symbol, the fine print might say “Check Locally.” In many U.S. cities, those cups still belong in the trash, while the cardboard sleeve is recyclable.

Q3: Do all paper products need a recycling symbol to be recyclable?
No. Plenty of plain paper items—like office paper, envelopes, and non-glossy junk mail—are recyclable even without a symbol. The symbol is a guide, not a requirement. Local program rules matter more than what’s printed on the product.

Q4: What are some examples of paper products that usually are not recyclable, even if they look like paper?
Common examples include heavily greasy pizza boxes, used paper towels and tissues, waxed or plastic-coated paper plates, and glittery or metallic gift wrap. These often lack recycling symbols for a reason: they contaminate paper recycling streams.

Q5: How can I tell if a fancy, glossy paper package is recyclable?
Look for specific wording near the recycling symbol. If the label says “Widely Recycled”, your odds are good. If it says “Check Locally” or gives no text at all, check your local guidelines. Glossy alone isn’t always a problem, but heavy plastic or foil laminates usually are.

Q6: Is the FSC tree logo a recycling symbol?
No. The FSC logo tells you the paper comes from responsibly managed forests or recycled sources. It’s about sourcing, not disposal. You still need to look for a recycling symbol or check your local rules to know whether to recycle the item.

If you remember nothing else, remember this: recycling symbols on paper are conversation starters, not final answers. Use the words next to the symbol, your local rules, and the real-life examples of recycling symbols for paper products explained in this guide to make better calls at the bin—one cereal box, notebook, and shipping box at a time.