How to Use the Sorting Labels on Packaging
Proper and clear labeling increases the likelihood that your packaging will be sorted correctly and recycled. We recommend using the Sorting Labels in color for recognition across different surfaces, combined with guidance for the consumer. The Sorting Labels in black (secondary color) can easily be confused with the label for residual waste, increasing the chances that your recyclable packaging will be disposed of incorrectly.
Want to be top of the class? Place the Sorting Labels and information on the front of the packaging. This sends a clear signal that the producer is focused on the circular economy.
Over half of us look for the Sorting Labels on packaging when we are unsure, and 9 out of 10 want both the Sorting Labels and guidance information to be included on products and packaging.
Get Inspired by Others
Visible Placement
On the salad packaging below, the Sorting Labels are placed in color on the front of the packaging, making it easy for the consumer to notice and be reminded about waste sorting. The avocado container has waste sorting information centrally placed on the packaging. It is clearly visible to the consumer and does not compete with other messages.
Useful Information
Many people are unsure about what to do with the caps on drink cartons. On this milk carton, there is no doubt about how it should be sorted.
The Sorting Label text translated from Norwegian: The carton can be recycled with the cap.
Products Packed in Various Materials
Packaging often consists of several types of materials that need to be sorted differently. On the yogurt packaging below, there is clear guidance on how each part of the packaging should be sorted.
The Sorting Label texts translated from Norwegian: The cup is sorted as plastic. The wrapping is sorted as carton.
Clear and Concise
The easiest packaging to recycle is made from a single material (monomaterial). In this case, the consumer only needs the Sorting Label in color and a short text about sorting, as shown on the chocolate bag and the apple carton.
The Sorting Label text translated from Norwegian: Sort as plastic.
The Sorting Label text translated from Norwegian: The entire box is sorted as cardboard.
The Sorting Labels for Residual Waste
If the packaging cannot be recycled, the black Sorting Label for residual waste is used. If other Sorting Labels are printed in black on packaging, they may be confused with the residual waste label, increasing the likelihood that recyclable packaging will be disposed of incorrectly.
The Sorting Label text translated from Norwegian: Sort as residual waste.