Kierrätysmerkkejä

Kierrätysmerkkejä, or recycling symbols, are standardized icons used to indicate that a material or product is recyclable or made from recycled content. These symbols provide consumers with information to aid in proper waste sorting and disposal, thereby promoting a circular economy.

The most common recycling symbol is the chasing arrows logo, a triangle formed by three arrows. This symbol, often referred to as the Mobius loop, generally signifies that an item is recyclable. However, its presence does not guarantee that a specific recycling facility will accept the item. The numeral within the chasing arrows indicates the type of plastic resin used. For instance, a "1" within the symbol signifies PET (polyethylene terephthalate), commonly found in beverage bottles, while a "2" indicates HDPE (high-density polyethylene), used for milk jugs and detergent bottles.

Other recycling-related marks include the Green Dot symbol, prevalent in Europe, which indicates that a manufacturer has contributed to the funding of packaging recovery and recycling. There are also specific symbols for different materials like paper, glass, and metal, often denoting their recyclability or recycled content. Understanding these various kierrätysmerkkejä is crucial for effective waste management and maximizing recycling efforts.