Regulated EU marking layoutEU single-use plastic marking
EU plastic-content mark for beverage cups
This harmonised EU mark tells consumers that the covered single-use beverage cup contains plastic and must not be littered.
Cup · plastic in productEuropean Union / EEA
At a glance
What this symbol means
The mandatory marking informs consumers about the presence of plastic and the resulting inappropriate-disposal and litter impacts for the specified single-use product category.
The official mark includes prescribed artwork and wording. WasteSpot shows a simplified recognition aid; consult the regulation for exact artwork.
Recognition
How to recognise it
- Look for a rectangular red-and-blue/black information panel with a turtle graphic and product-specific wording in the market language.
- The mark is printed on the product or cup surface or packaging according to the applicable specification.
Typical applications
Where it commonly appears
- Single-use beverage cups wholly or partly made of plastic
- cup surface or packaging
- consumer information on covered single-use products
Practical decision
How to sort or dispose of it
- Empty the cup and follow the local cup, packaging or residual-waste instruction.
- Keep the item out of conventional recycling unless local guidance explicitly accepts the exact format.
- Sort any outer packaging separately according to its own label.
Before disposal or return
- Empty the cup completely.
- Separate the lid, sleeve or other removable components when local guidance requires it.
- Keep the cup reasonably clean and dry if the local collection system accepts that exact format.
Avoid contamination
Common mistakes
Reading the mark as “recyclable plastic”.
Assuming “contains plastic” gives the polymer type.
Ignoring separate instructions for the outer packaging.
Important limitation
What it does not mean
It is not a resin code, recyclability certificate, compostability mark or statement that the entire product is plastic.
Questions
Frequently asked questions
Why is there a turtle in the official mark?
The harmonised artwork communicates environmental harm from inappropriate disposal and litter.
Does the mark mean the product is banned?
No. It is a required consumer-information mark for the covered product category.
Can it go in plastic recycling?
Not on the basis of this mark. Follow the exact local instruction.
Verification
Sources
European Commission — vectorised SUP markingsOpen source ↗Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2020/2151Open source ↗
Sources checked 15 August 2026
Continue identifying
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