en.Wedoany.com Reported - The Global Alliance to Advance Reuse (PR3) has introduced a universal identification symbol for reusable containers, designed to provide consumers with an intuitive cue similar to the "chasing arrows" triangle symbol for recyclables. The symbol, a looping arrow, was selected from 236 entries in a global design competition organized by the alliance. Designed by Epigrama Studios in Bogotá, Colombia, it was officially launched on June 3 after jury review and market testing involving nearly 1,300 consumers.
Reusable packaging typically refers to containers that can be used 10 to 100 times before being recycled or remanufactured. Such packaging is seen as an eco-friendly alternative to single-use packaging, and if widely adopted, could reduce related greenhouse gas emissions by 80%. Currently, fast-food chains such as Burger King, Starbucks, and KFC are piloting programs like refillable cups. However, scaling the systems required for sorting, cleaning, and collection poses challenges. For example, TerraCycle's Loop program has largely failed after testing in markets like the United States, remaining only in France and within retailers such as Carrefour.
Marco Cimatti, former design director at PepsiCo and one of the judges, stated that the new symbol creates a unified visual language for reuse systems, with a bold and simple design that balances distinctiveness with a strong reuse visual signal. Founded in 2019, PR3 is responsible for setting standards for reusable packaging and products. The alliance is working with certification company CSA Group to develop six frameworks specifying how businesses can use reusable packaging, with two frameworks already released.
The new symbol can be used on packaging and reuse equipment, provided these products are certified under the alliance's marking and labeling standard, which is soon to be published by the American National Standards Institute. The symbol will appear on reusable cups, utensils, bottles, and other containers, as well as on collection, cleaning, sorting, and transportation equipment. Amy Larkin, co-founder and director of PR3, noted that some service providers are already using the symbol on every continent except Antarctica, such as Muuse, which manages Starbucks' reusable cup program in Hong Kong, and Re-Universe, which operates a reusable cup deposit system in partnership with MasterCard in the United Kingdom.
Currently, most reuse systems are proprietary, limited to specific items or markets, meaning reusable cups or containers must be returned to the same location for cleaning and redistribution. The new visual symbol aims to help consumers identify where to return items, regardless of how the system operates. Larkin pointed out that the symbol and the entire reuse system will only be truly successful when the reuse symbol is widely recognized and identified by consumers.
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