Japanese identification-mark form

Regional on-pack recycling label

Japan paper containers and packaging identification mark

Japan’s paper packaging mark identifies covered paper containers and packaging for consumer sorting.

紙 / paper packagingJapan

Material or subjectCovered paper containers and packaging

Applies inJapan

What the mark identifiesLegally required packaging identification for covered paper packaging

Last source check15 August 2026

At a glance

What this symbol means

Japan’s paper packaging mark identifies covered paper containers and packaging for consumer sorting.

Official artwork may be trademarked or regulated. WasteSpot uses an original simplified recognition aid and links to the scheme owner or authority.

Recognition

How to recognise it

Look for the stylised Japanese “紙” mark on the paper packaging component.
The label may identify components separately.

Typical applications

Where it commonly appears

paper boxes and sleeves
paper bags and wrapping
covered paper packaging components

Practical decision

How to sort or dispose of it

Follow the municipality’s paper packaging route.
Keep drink cartons and heavily coated materials in their specified streams.
Separate plastic windows or liners when instructed.

Before disposal or return

Empty, flatten and keep dry.
Remove significant food residue.
Bundle only according to local collection rules.

Avoid contamination

Common mistakes

Assuming all paper products carry the packaging mark.

Putting laminated or food-soiled paper in a clean paper stream without checking.

Confusing the mark with a recycled-content claim.

Important limitation

What it does not mean

The label applies within its stated market and component scope. It is not a universal instruction for other countries or unlabelled components.

Questions

Frequently asked questions

Does this label work in every country?

No. Use it in the market named by the label and check local rules elsewhere.

What if the pack has several components?

Follow the instruction assigned to each component.

Is the WasteSpot image the official artwork?

No. It is a recognition aid; use the official source for exact artwork.

Verification

Sources

Japan METI — Identification marking for containers and packagingOpen source ↗Japan METI — Plastic and paper packaging mark guidanceOpen source ↗

Sources checked 15 August 2026