Italy, for example, has adopted a labelling requirement as of January 1, 2023, which uses the EU regulation’s material codes and abbreviations. France has developed an overarching symbol known as the Triman logo, which guides consumers on how to dispose of the packaging in appropriate collection bins (Green for glass, Yellow for composites and plastics). The Packaging Ordinance passed by the EU Parliament includes phased implementation timelines starting from 2030 and sets criteria for design-for-recycling, recyclability, minimum recycled content, and labelling requirements.
Purpose and Benefits of Recycling Codes
The primary purpose of labelling packaging materials is to facilitate the recycling process. The labelling consists of a number and may include an abbreviation indicating the material type. It differentiates between packaging materials such as plastics, paper and cardboard, metals, wood, textiles, glass, and composites. The abbreviations follow standardized guidelines for plastic designations, as specified in various ISO standards (e.g., ISO 1043-1:2016-09 for plastics, DIN ISO 1629:2015-03 for rubber and lattices, and DIN EN ISO 18064:2015-03 for thermoplastic elastomers). The triangle symbol is not mandatory.
Since 2013, the recycling triangle symbol has been replaced with a standard triangle to avoid misunderstandings. The labelling does not mean that the packaging will be recycled. Instead, it facilitates the separation of materials by type and aids collection systems and recyclers in processing the packaging by identifying the materials immediately.
What Do the Numbers and Symbols Mean for Plastics?
The plastic codes (numbers 01 to 07) were first introduced in 1988 by the Society of the Plastics Industry (now the Plastics Industry Association) under the name SPI Resin Identification Coding System.
