Real‑world examples of recycling symbols around the world

Global examples of recycling symbols around the world in everyday life

Before talking theory, let’s start with real packaging and bins you’d actually see.

In the United States, a clear plastic water bottle usually carries the chasing arrows triangle with a “1” and “PET” or “PETE” inside. That’s a classic example of a recycling symbol that tells you the plastic resin type, not whether your local program will actually recycle it. Right next to it, you might see the How2Recycle label — a U.S. and Canadian system that says “Widely Recycled,” “Check Locally,” or “Not Yet Recycled” along with simple bin instructions.

Head to the United Kingdom and the same bottle may instead use the On‑Pack Recycling Label (OPRL) system. A green icon with text like “Recycle – Bottle, Cap On” is a clear example of how the UK tries to standardize recycling messages. If the packaging is tricky, you’ll see “Don’t Recycle – Film” or “Rinse – Tray” to spell things out.

In Japan, aluminum drink cans often carry the word “スチール” (steel) or “アルミ” (aluminum) plus a stylized recycling icon that looks different from the Western chasing arrows. That’s another example of recycling symbols around the world reflecting local language and collection rules.

These are just a few examples of recycling symbols around the world that show how confusing it can be for travelers, brands, and even locals. The shapes may look similar, but the meanings — and what your city accepts — can be very different.

Classic chasing arrows: the most copied example of a recycling symbol

The most famous example of a recycling symbol is the Mobius loop, better known as the chasing arrows triangle. You’ll find it on plastic bottles, cardboard boxes, glass jars, and even some metal cans.

Here’s the catch: around the world, that triangle is used in three very different ways:

• Mobius loop (plain) – A simple triangle of arrows with no text or numbers. This typically means the item is theoretically recyclable somewhere, but not necessarily in your local program. It’s one of the most common examples of recycling symbols around the world and also one of the most misunderstood.
• Mobius loop with percentage – Same triangle, but with text like “30% recycled content.” This doesn’t say anything about recyclability. It only says that some of the material already comes from recycled feedstock.
• Resin identification code (RIC) – The triangle with a number (1–7) inside and letters underneath (like PET, HDPE, PVC). In the U.S., this system is standardized by ASTM International. It’s meant for plastic identification, not a promise of recycling.

In the U.S., the Federal Trade Commission’s Green Guides specifically warn brands not to imply recyclability if collection and processing aren’t actually available to most consumers. You can see that guidance on the FTC site: https://www.ftc.gov/business-guidance/resources/green-guides.

So when you’re looking for examples of recycling symbols around the world, remember: that triangle on a plastic clamshell in California does not mean the same thing as a triangle with a percentage on a cardboard box in Germany.

Country‑by‑country examples of recycling symbols around the world

United States: How2Recycle and resin codes

In the U.S., two systems dominate:

Resin Identification Codes (RICs)
You’ll see numbers 1 through 7 in a triangle on plastic products:

• 1 PET (or PETE) – Water and soda bottles, some food containers. Widely accepted in curbside programs.
• 2 HDPE – Milk jugs, detergent bottles, some rigid containers. Also widely accepted.
• 3 PVC, 4 LDPE, 5 PP, 6 PS, 7 Other – These are hit‑or‑miss. Many curbside programs don’t accept all of them.

This is a classic example of a recycling symbol that’s often misread. It identifies plastic type, but your local program may still send it to landfill.

How2Recycle label
This voluntary label is one of the best examples of a modern, consumer‑friendly recycling symbol system:

• A simple panel that says “Recycle”, “Check Locally”, or “Not Yet Recycled.”
• Breaks down components: “Box – Recycle,” “Plastic Window – Remove, Not Recycled.”
• Used by major brands to standardize instructions.

You can see examples of How2Recycle labels and program details at https://how2recycle.info.

European Union: Green Dot, CE markings, and national labels

Europe has several examples of recycling symbols that often confuse visitors from the U.S.

The Green Dot (Der Grüne Punkt)
A circle made of two intertwined arrows. It appears on packaging in Germany, France, Spain, and other EU countries. Despite the name, it does not mean “recyclable.” It signals that the producer has paid into a packaging recovery and recycling scheme.

This is one of the best examples of a recycling symbol that is widely misinterpreted. Many people assume it means “put this in the recycling bin,” but the symbol is about producer responsibility, not your bin choice.

Mobius loop and national labels
EU countries also use the Mobius loop plus national schemes. For example:

• In the UK, the OPRL label uses text like “Recycle,” “Don’t Recycle,” or “Rinse & Recycle,” often with color coding.
• In France, the Triman logo (a person with a triangle‑shaped body and arrows) appears on products that must provide sorting instructions. Newer packaging will also show detailed pictograms for each component.

The European Environment Agency provides broader context on packaging and waste policy at https://www.eea.europa.eu/themes/waste.

Japan: Symbol‑dense, highly sorted

Japan offers some of the most detailed examples of recycling symbols around the world. Local rules vary by city, but common national icons include:

• A circular arrow symbol with “PET” in Japanese for PET bottles.
• Separate icons for steel cans and aluminum cans, often with text labels.
• Distinct markings for burnable and non‑burnable waste.

The result is a visually dense system that encourages extremely sorted waste streams. Tourists quickly realize that “trash” is not one category in Japan; the symbols tell you exactly which bin to use — or you take it home.

Canada and Australia: Similar, but not identical, to the U.S.

In Canada, you’ll see the same resin codes and, increasingly, the How2Recycle label. Provinces add their own twists, like deposit symbols on beverage containers.

In Australia, the Australasian Recycling Label (ARL) is a standout example of a clear, behavior‑driven recycling symbol. It breaks packaging into components (tray, film, lid) and labels each as “Recycle,” “Check Locally,” or “Return to Store.” It looks similar to How2Recycle but is tailored to Australian infrastructure.

These regional schemes show how examples of recycling symbols around the world are converging on the same idea: simple instructions, component‑by‑component.

Examples of recycling symbols for specific materials

To make this practical, let’s walk through some material‑specific examples of recycling symbols around the world and what they usually imply.

Plastic packaging

On a U.S. yogurt cup, you might find:

• A triangle with “5 PP” (polypropylene). That’s a resin code, not a guarantee of curbside recycling.
• A How2Recycle panel that says “Check Locally” because not all facilities accept #5 tubs.

In the EU, the same cup might carry:

• A Mobius loop with “PP” and sometimes a two‑letter country code.
• A Triman logo (France) plus a sorting pictogram telling you whether to put it in the household recycling bin.

In Japan, the cup may show a “プラ” (pura) symbol indicating it’s plastic packaging, which goes in a specific plastic packaging collection, separate from PET bottles.

Paper and cardboard

A shipping box from an online retailer often shows a Mobius loop with text like “Made from 80% recycled fiber.” In the U.S. that’s primarily a recycled‑content claim, not a recyclability claim, though cardboard is widely accepted in curbside programs.

In the UK, the same box might carry an OPRL label: “Recycle – Flatten Box” along with the Mobius loop. That’s a good example of a recycling symbol that addresses both what the material is and what you should do with it.

Glass and metal containers

A glass jar in Europe may show:

• A glass‑specific icon (a bottle silhouette) plus the Mobius loop.
• Local instructions to use bottle banks or curbside glass collection.

Aluminum cans around the world almost always carry some form of recycling symbol, because aluminum is highly recyclable and retains value. In deposit‑return states in the U.S., cans are marked with “CA CRV,” “MI 10¢,” or similar text — a financial nudge attached to the recycling symbol ecosystem.

Newer trends: digital labels, QR codes, and EPR

By 2024–2025, two big trends are reshaping examples of recycling symbols around the world:

1. Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR)
More regions are adopting EPR laws, which make producers financially responsible for managing packaging at end‑of‑life. The EU has been doing this for years; U.S. states like Oregon, Maine, and Colorado are now rolling out their own versions. As EPR expands, you can expect more standardized, legally defined recycling symbols and clearer rules on what claims brands can make.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency tracks policy and data on recycling and materials management at https://www.epa.gov/smm/sustainable-management-materials.

2. Digital and smart labels
Brands are experimenting with QR codes and digital watermarks that supplement physical symbols. Scan the code, and you get location‑specific disposal instructions. Instead of cramming more icons on a tiny package, the symbol becomes a gateway to dynamic guidance.

These developments will likely create new examples of recycling symbols around the world that are less about static logos and more about interactive guidance.

How to actually use these examples of recycling symbols in real life

Seeing all these examples of recycling symbols around the world is interesting, but the real question is: how do you use them when you’re standing at the bin?

A practical approach:

• Treat resin codes as information, not instructions. If you see a triangle with a number, check your city’s list of accepted plastics instead of assuming it’s recyclable.
• Look for plain‑language labels. Systems like How2Recycle, OPRL, ARL, and Triman are designed to translate symbols into everyday language: recycle, don’t recycle, rinse, keep cap on, separate film.
• Check local rules when you travel. The same package with the same symbol can be accepted in one country and rejected in another. City or municipal websites usually publish accepted materials.
• Watch for deposit markings. If you see a deposit value on a bottle or can, that’s your signal to return it, not toss it.

When in doubt, many waste authorities prefer you throw something away rather than contaminate the recycling stream. The EPA and local governments stress that contamination (food residue, wrong materials, plastic bags in the bin) can ruin entire loads of recyclables.

FAQ: examples of recycling symbols and what they mean

Q1. What are some common examples of recycling symbols around the world?
Common examples include the Mobius loop (chasing arrows triangle), resin identification codes (#1–7 for plastics), the Green Dot in Europe, the Triman logo in France, OPRL labels in the UK, How2Recycle labels in the U.S. and Canada, the Australasian Recycling Label in Australia, and Japan’s PET, steel, and aluminum icons.

Q2. Can you give an example of a recycling symbol that people often misunderstand?
The Green Dot is a classic example of a recycling symbol that’s widely misunderstood. Many people assume it means “this package is recyclable.” In reality, it indicates the producer has paid into a packaging recovery system. Whether you can recycle the item still depends on your local collection rules.

Q3. Are all plastics with the triangle symbol actually recyclable?
No. The numbered triangle on plastic is a resin identification code, not a recycling guarantee. In the U.S., #1 (PET) and #2 (HDPE) are most widely accepted; others vary by city. The EPA and local recycling programs emphasize checking local guidelines rather than relying solely on the symbol.

Q4. What’s an example of a clearer, modern recycling label?
The How2Recycle label is a strong example of a modern system. It breaks packaging into parts and labels each as “Recycle,” “Check Locally,” or “Not Yet Recycled,” often with extra notes like “Empty & Replace Cap.” The Australasian Recycling Label and the UK’s OPRL system follow a similar logic.

Q5. Where can I learn more about recycling symbols and accurate environmental claims?
For U.S. guidance, the Federal Trade Commission’s Green Guides (https://www.ftc.gov/business-guidance/resources/green-guides) explain how companies should use environmental marketing claims, including recyclability. The U.S. EPA (https://www.epa.gov/recycle) provides consumer‑focused information on recycling practices. For European context, the European Environment Agency (https://www.eea.europa.eu/themes/waste) covers packaging and waste policies.

The bottom line: examples of recycling symbols around the world are incredibly varied, but they’re all trying to solve the same problem — how to get materials into the right stream, in the right condition, so they actually get recycled instead of just feeling like they were.