The Mobius Loop, made up of three arrows, is the most common symbol on packaging materials, indicating that the material is recyclable. Sometimes, you’ll see a number inside the circle, representing the percentage of the material that can be recycled.

This symbol has nothing to do with packaging materials. It simply reminds people to dispose of waste properly after use and protect the environment.

The international symbol for “food safe” materials is a wine glass and fork symbol. This symbol indicates that the materials used in the product are considered safe for contact with food. This includes food and water containers, packaging materials, utensils, and more.

This label is certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC). Packaging with this label means the trees used have been replaced or allowed to regenerate naturally, indigenous peoples’ rights are protected, and wildlife habitats are preserved. There are three types of FSC labels:
• FSC 100%
• FSC Mixed
• FSC Recycled

These symbols, also known as Resin Identification Codes, were introduced by the Plastics Industry Association in 1988 and have been managed by ASTM since 2008. These codes standardize plastic types so customers can better sort and recycle plastic packaging after use.

This symbol was introduced by the Corrugated Packaging Alliance and the Fibre Box Association (CPA), a non-profit industry association representing corrugated packaging manufacturers in North America. Unless otherwise specified by customers, these manufacturers can print this standard symbol on their corrugated products.

This indicates that the aluminum used in the product or its packaging can be recycled.

This symbol or similar tree-shaped logo indicates that the materials used to make the packaging come from sustainable forests.

This symbol indicates that the packaging is compostable. Only products that meet EU standards 13432/14955 may use this label.

Products with this symbol indicate they can be frozen together with the packaging without opening it.

Packaging with this symbol indicates it can be heated in a microwave.

The Green Dot means that for this type of packaging, a financial contribution has been made to a qualified national packaging recovery organization established according to the principles defined in the European Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive 94/62 and corresponding national laws.

The Biodegradable Products Institute (BPI), North America’s leading certification body for biodegradable plastics, provides third-party certification for product and packaging manufacturers as well as brand owners.

This certification system was established by the Australasian Bioplastics Association, similar to North American ASTM standards. Products can be labeled with symbols indicating they’re suitable for commercial composting or that the product can break down without high temperatures and can be placed in home compost bins. These two symbols are common in Australia and Asia, and can also be found on products in North America and other parts of the world.

Headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, PEFC is the world’s largest forest certification system. PEFC shares a similar mission with FSC and SFI, but they are the only global forestry certification program that bases its standards on internationally recognized government guidelines. Like SFI, PEFC’s labeling system allows product owners to provide more details, as long as they retain the logo and certification number.

The Recycled Paperboard Alliance, headquartered in Washington, D.C., is a non-profit industry alliance dedicated to promoting the use of 100% recycled paperboard, which has been produced for over 120 years. This symbol was created in 1995 to distinguish recycled paperboard from the Mobius Loop recycling symbol. In addition to paperboard manufacturers worldwide, more than 200 companies use this symbol on their packaging. The symbol guarantees that the paperboard is made only from recycled pulp without virgin materials, typically post-consumer waste recovered from old corrugated containers (OCC).

From textiles and jewelry to green buildings and food consumer labels, SCS Global Services is one of the world’s leading third-party certification and standards organizations. You may have seen their kingfisher logo on product packaging. “Recycled Content” certification indicates that packaging is made from pre-consumer and post-consumer recycled materials, meeting or exceeding ISO 14021 and FTC Green Guide standards.

We’re all familiar with the WWF’s panda logo. For decades, this conservation organization has been dedicated to protecting wildlife, habitats, and local communities around the world. WWF does not provide third-party certification; instead, when businesses contribute to WWF’s sustainability work, they can print the WWF logo on their product packaging.

Products with ECOLOGO certification have undergone rigorous third-party certification to reduce environmental impact. Like SCS, this organization certifies products across multiple categories, including building construction, office technology, cleaning, personal care, mineral exploration, renewable electricity, paper and plastic packaging, and even toys. In the packaging field, ECOLOGO provides certification for businesses working with plastic film, tissue paper, cardboard, paper, and recycled plastics.

Founded in 1989, Green Seal was the first non-profit organization to advocate for the eco-labeling movement. The organization focuses on food service and hospitality, paper products, cleaning products, and packaging products. Green Seal certification follows strict standards, including ISO 14020/14024 and the Global Ecolabelling Network’s internationally harmonized eco-labeling system.

The Rainforest Alliance is known for certifying sustainable chocolate, coffee, tea, juice, and all natural foods provided by farms and forests, but they also pay close attention to paper products used for packaging. When you purchase products printed with the Rainforest Alliance frog logo, you can leave the store with confidence, knowing that the paper or paperboard comes from FSC forests.