Common claim presentation

Recycled-content claim

Recycled content percentage mark

A percentage shown with a recycling loop usually states how much recycled material the product or package contains.

% recycled contentWorldwide

Material or subjectClaim about recycled material input

Applies inWorldwide

What the mark identifiesEnvironmental content claim

Last source check15 August 2026

At a glance

What this symbol means

The percentage is a recycled-content claim. The accompanying text should clarify whether it covers the whole item, a component, and whether the content is pre-consumer or post-consumer where relevant.

Read the exact scope of the claim. A percentage without a clear subject can be misleading.

Recognition

How to recognise it

Look for a percentage inside or next to a Mobius loop.
Read nearby wording such as “made with”, “post-consumer” or the name of the covered component.

Typical applications

Where it commonly appears

paper and cardboard packaging
plastic bottles and containers
metal and glass packaging claims

Practical decision

How to sort or dispose of it

Treat recycled content and end-of-life instructions as separate questions.
Use the material code and local disposal label for sorting.
Do not place the item in recycling solely because it contains recycled material.

Before disposal or return

Follow the actual material’s preparation instructions.
Separate components when required.
Keep product residue out of recycling.

Avoid contamination

Common mistakes

Assuming 100% recycled content means 100% recyclable.

Applying the percentage to the product contents rather than the package.

Ignoring qualifiers or component labels.

Important limitation

What it does not mean

It does not automatically mean the item is recyclable, accepted locally, or made from the same material throughout.

Questions

Frequently asked questions

Can an item contain recycled content but not be locally recyclable?

Yes. Input material and end-of-life collection are separate characteristics.

What is post-consumer recycled content?

Material recovered after consumer use, as distinct from manufacturing scrap or other pre-consumer material.

Does the percentage include labels and caps?

Only if the claim’s scope says so.

Verification

Sources

U.S. FTC — Environmental marketing claims and the Green GuidesOpen source ↗

Sources checked 15 August 2026