Recycling Symbols Criticised for Being Too Confusing
Wednesday, May 29, 2019 - 15:57:39
A report from Recoup has found that consumers are often befuddled by the number of different logos used on food packaging and other products which relate to their recyclability, according to MRW.
This is the latest study to conclude that confusion is caused, rather than avoided, by the current system used to single out materials which are recyclable from those that are not.
The traditional Mobius loop symbol is a well-known signifier of an item’s recyclability, but it is easily mixed up with the Green Dot logo, which is related to the manufacturer’s commitment to funding sustainable waste management rather than having anything to do with recycling directly.
Researchers found that consumers are far more likely to recycle packaging which is unambiguously labelled, with the addition of written instructions and explanations seen as significantly more effective than the simpler yet potentially confusing logos and symbols.
Report spokesperson Anne Hitch explained that this was clearly a subjective issue, with different consumers exhibiting different levels of confusion when confronted with recycling symbols. Even so, she says that there is a real eagerness amongst many people to do their bit for the environment at the moment, so manufacturers should be compelled to help their customers achieve this through clear labelling.
When packaging is not labelled as recyclable in a conspicuous way, it may end up mixed in with general waste. Likewise, if unrecyclable materials are collected alongside recyclable equivalents, this creates issues further down the line at processing facilities.
Cutting out the confusion clearly involves moving away from the symbols which have so far been present on the vast majority of packaging for food and products. Regulators may need to take action to ensure that this suggestion is followed, as manufacturers may not be willing to take this step on their own.
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