The Nordic countries strengthen waste sorting with a Common System of Symbols for waste bins, recycling stations and for packaging.
Until recently, communication on waste sorting and treatment differed from country to country, and often from municipality to municipality in the Nordic countries. Through the use of the same waste symbols, citizens in these countries can now receive the same communication on waste sorting and treatment, thereby making it easier for all citizens to sort their waste correctly and so to increase material recycling. Having producers label packaging with these common symbols for waste sorting will also send clear and easy to understand guidance for packaging waste sorting.
The system was developed via collaboration between municipalities and waste companies, the recycling industry, packaging producers and retailers as well as citizens in the Nordic countries: Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Finland and Iceland.