Redesign Recycling Labels

The chasing arrows recycling symbol is well-known and seen everywhere, but despite being ubiquitous, it’s not very clear. If something has a recycling symbol on it, then it’s recyclable, right? Well…kinda.

Just because something can be recycled doesn't mean that you'll be able to recycle it easily. For instance, number 2 containers are accepted at virtually all recycling centers, except my local recycling center does not accept any lids, even number 2 lids (Page 6, Madisonians). I know this because I read that recycling guide that the city sent out, but I haven't found anyone else that's aware of it.

It gets even more complicated for designers. Anything thats placed in a prominent spot on a package is considered a marketing claim which is regulated by the FTC's Guide for the Use of Environmental Marketing Claims, which makes it pretty clear that simply placing the chasing arrows symbol on the front of a container isn't good enough because it doesn't tell the consumer if the box, the bag inside, or product inside the box is recyclable. Not to mention it suggests that the material is recyclable everywhere, which is highly unlikely. Now you know why recycling symbols are always on the bottom of your bottles and virtually unreadable - it keeps them from being regulated).

The Sustainable Packaging Coaltion has suggested a solution to this little problem – redesigning the recycling symbol. Check out their suggestion here. Though they would take up more room on the label and would require more research on the part of the producer, clear labeling could be the solution to the recycling chain problem. Besides the problems of convenience, clarity may be our biggest obstacle when it comes to making recycling more common.

Give us your thoughts on the new labels. Do they make things clear? Think you can do it better?