Explanation of ecolabels

A quick overview of the main ecolabels.

Non-exhaustive list


Recycling ecolabels

THE GREEN DOT
This logo does not mean that the packaging is recyclable or made of recycled materials. In France, when the Green Dot label appears on the packaging of a household product it means that the manufacturer of the product is a member of the packaging recovery scheme and pays a contribution one of the two eco-organisations specialised in packaging: : Éco-Emballages or Adelphe

This obligatory contribution serves to finance the organisation of selective sorting in municipalities (in France)

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THE MÖBIUS LOOP – any type of product
This is the universal logo used for recyclable materials since 1970. It indicates that the product or the packaging is recyclable.

CONTAINS RECYCLED MATERIALS - any type of product
Indicates that the product or the packaging is in fact manufactured using recycled materials. In the middle of the Möbius loop, the percentage given is that of the quantity of recycled materials in the product.

Logos des papiers et des cartonnages recyclés

APUR - specific to paper
Recycled paper: indicates the percentage of recovered fibres used to make the product or packaging.
 

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PEFC- papers and all wood-derivative products
This means "Programme for the Endorsement of Forest s Certification". It means that the product or packaging is made with wood from sustainably managed forests.

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FSC (for Forest Stewardship Council) - paper and all wood-derivative products
This logo is an ecolabel issued by the association of the same name, which guarantees that the manufacturing of a product (furniture, for example) was compliant with sustainable forest management.

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Ecolabels relating to finished products

EUROPEAN ECOLABEL - several categories of products, but a version specific to paper
A public ecolabel

Indicates that the product has obtained the ecolabel common to all the Member States of the European Union. Each product must meet a precise set of specifications which take into consideration the product life cycle (raw materials, distribution, consumption, recycling, etc.).

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NF ENVIRONNEMENT ECOLABEL - several categories of products, but a version specific to paper
A public ecolabel

Indicates that the product has obtained the official French ecolabel, managed by the Afnor.

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THE BLUE ANGEL - OFFICIAL GERMAN ECOLABEL - several categories of products, but a version specific to paper
This is the oldest public ecolabel and one of the most recognised in Germany. Means that the product is made from 100% recycled fibres.

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THE WHITE SWAN - SCANDINAVIAN ECOLABEL - several categories of products, but a version specific to paper
A public ecolabel

Means that the product contains at least 75% recycled fibres and/or that 20% at least of the original fibre comes from certified forests

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PAPER BY NATURE - - specific to paper
Private label

Means that the product contains at least 75% recycled fibres and/or that at least 20% of the original fibre comes from certified forests

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Ecolabels des emballages plastique

MADE OF RECYCLABLE PLASTIC

Logo generally accompanied by a figure corresponding to the type of plastic:

1. PET for polyethylene terephthalate (fizzy drinks bottles)
2. HDPE for high density polyethylene (dustbins, plastic pipes and tubes, cable sheathing...)
3. PVC for polyvinyl chloride (drums, mineral water bottles, food boxes,...)
4. LDPE  for low density polyethylene (dustbin bags, supermarket plastic bags, freezer bags,…)
5. PP for polypropylene (textiles, ropes, string, agricultural and food grade film, yoghurt pots...)
6. PSE  for expanded polystyrene (various types of packaging, freezer boxes,...)

5. PP pour le Polypropylène (textiles, cordages, ficelles, films agricoles et alimentaires, pots de yaourts...)

6. PSE pour Polystyrène Expansé (emballages divers, boites de congélation,...)

Ecolabels de l'acier et de l'aluminium

RECYCLABLE STEEL
Indicates that the product or packaging is made of steel, a material that can easily be sorted. However, there is no guarantee that the product is recycled.

RECYCLABLE ALUMINIUM
Indicates that the product or packaging is made of aluminium, a material that can be recycled. However, there is no guarantee that the product is recycled.