Waste separation symbols help your customers to separate waste
Label your packaging now with the free,
easy-to-understand waste sorting information.
A label that explains waste separation and can be used by any registered distributor
85 percent of your costumers in Germany would like to see standardised waste separation labels on packaging, according to a recent survey*. Respond to this wish for more information: We provide you with free waste sorting labels in flexible design variants for printing on your packaging. They show at a glance how to dispose of the packaging correctly.
The waste sorting symbols are effective, as a recent survey* shows: packaging labelled with these symbols is more likely to be disposed of correctly by consumers than packaging without the symbol – on average almost twice as often.
The free-of-charge waste sorting labels may be used by any distributor registered with the German Central Agency Packaging Register (Zentrale Stelle Verpackungsregister ZSVR).
* Survey conducted by YouGov on behalf of Trennhinweis e. V.
These brands are already using the waste sorting label:
Flexible design options for better waste separation
The more information provided, the better the packaging waste is sorted, a recent YouGov survey shows. Therefore, the single-colour basic layout may be modified for your packaging to provide your customers with additional information about proper disposal. Optionally, specified colors and text may be added to the basic layout. For further information about this waste sorting label, please see the style guide below.
In addition to the waste sorting labels QR codes can optionally be used, which forward to short films with supplementary information and consumer tips.
* Survey conducted by YouGov on behalf of Trennhinweis e. V.
QR codes for more information
QR codes can be additionally printed on the packaging together with the waste sorting labels. By scanning the QR code, consumers can access brief information videos on correct waste separation.
This digital information service is particularly popular with the younger generation: according to a recent survey*, more than 50 percent of 18 to 24-year-olds in Germany would like to see explanatory QR codes on packaging in addition to the separation labels.
Overall, six different short films are made available free of charge.
- To the video for packaging that is not made from paper, cardboard, carton and glass
- To the video for packaging made of paper, cardboard and paperboard
- To the video for packaging made of glass
If requested, these short movies may be individualised, e.g. with specific packaging examples or integration of the corporate design, as in the example of STYLEX. If you are interested, please contact us at film@trenn-hinweis.de.
* survey conducted by YouGov on behalf of Trennhinweis e. V.
| Type of waste | Collection system |
|---|---|
| Plastics / Composite Packaging | Yellow bin |
| Paper, Cardboard and Paperboard | Red bin |
| Glass | Green/white bin |
| Metal | Yellow bin or blue bin, if available |
| Biodegradable waste | Brown bin |
| Residual waste | Black bin |
Great care was taken in compiling the contents of the list of municipal waste collection systems in the European Union. However, we cannot assume responsibility for the correctness or completeness of the information provided and cannot guarantee that the information is up-to-date.
Internationality
Manufacturers and distributors registered with the German Central Agency Packaging Register (ZSVR) may print the free waste sorting labels onto packaging distributed in and outside of Germany.
The modular structure of the waste sorting label and the various design options enable manufacturers to motivate and provide information to consumers in and outside of Germany by adding freely selectable text elements – for example in English: “Separate waste correctly”.
QR code movies are displayed in such a way that consumers outside Germany see a English short film after scanning than users in Germany. A country-specific module also shows how waste is disposed of correctly in the respective EU country.
These companies are already using the packaging label:
Customer information
The free waste sorting label allows you to show your responsibility for your product to consumers transparently in compliance with your registration obligations (under Section 9 of the German Packaging Act [Verpackgungsgesetz]). According to a recent survey, the majority of your customers would prefer uniform symbols for correct waste separation instead of solo efforts in packaging labelling.
Assist your customers with their legal obligations: The German Packaging Act requires private end-consumers (Section 13 of the German Packaging Act) to dispose of packaging separately from other waste. However, according to a recent study*, nearly 60% of customers lack the specific knowledge for disposing of used packaging properly.
This is where our free waste sorting label on packaging comes in by easily explaining to your customers at first glance how to properly dispose of used packaging.
* Survey conducted by YouGov on behalf of Trennhinweis e. V.; online survey by Kantar GmbH for the dual systems
Conserving resources and protecting the environment together
Unfortunately, waste is still often sorted incorrectly: For example, on average, 30% of waste in yellow sacks and yellow containers does not belong there. This makes recycling packaging significantly more difficult and sometimes impossible.
Packaging recycling can save millions of tons of primary raw materials and several million tons of CO2 today.
That the waste sorting labels can help to bring more packaging waste into the cycle confirms a recent survey*: 85 percent of those surveyed would at first glance place packaging with a separation label with a yellow and blue arrow in the yellow container or bag and in the paper bin, respectively.
* survey conducted by YouGov on behalf of Trennhinweis e. V.
How it works:
Prepare
- Read our contract of use
- Enter your German Central Agency Packaging Register (ZSVR) registration number
- Add your company’s name and address
- Specify your company’s contact person
Conclude the contract of use
- Check entries
- Conclude contract of use
Download waste sorting label
- All relevant documents, incl. the download link for the waste sorting label, will be sent to the specified email address