What Does the Chasing Arrows Symbol Really Mean?

The triangle of three arrows forming a closed loop — the “chasing arrows” symbol — is one of the most recognized environmental icons in the world. It’s stamped on millions of products, embossed on the bottom of plastic containers, printed on packaging. Most consumers assume it means “this is recyclable” or “this is being recycled.”

It doesn’t actually mean either of those things, at least not in the way people assume.

The chasing arrows symbol, as it appears on plastic products, was created in 1988 by the plastics industry. It’s a Resin Identification Code (RIC) — a number from 1 to 7 inside the triangle that identifies which type of plastic the product is made from. It tells you the material. It does not tell you whether your local recycling program accepts that material.

This guide explains what the chasing arrows symbol actually means, why it’s misleading, what regulations are starting to clarify it, and what you should actually check before assuming something is recyclable.

The history: created for sorting, used for marketing

The chasing arrows symbol with a number 1-7 was developed by the Society of the Plastics Industry (now PLASTICS) in 1988. The intent was practical: provide a sorting code for recyclers and material handlers. By looking at the bottom of a plastic container and seeing the number, a worker (or eventually, an automated sorting system) would know what material to direct it toward.

The codes:
– 1 — PET / PETE (polyethylene terephthalate): water bottles, soda bottles
– 2 — HDPE (high-density polyethylene): milk jugs, detergent bottles
– 3 — PVC / V (polyvinyl chloride): pipes, some food packaging
– 4 — LDPE (low-density polyethylene): plastic bags, squeeze bottles
– 5 — PP (polypropylene): yogurt containers, bottle caps
– 6 — PS (polystyrene): foam cups, takeout containers
– 7 — Other / OTHER: bioplastics, PLA, mixed materials, anything not in 1-6

These were just material identifiers. They didn’t say anything about recyclability.

But the chasing arrows shape immediately led to consumer confusion. The triangle looked like a recycling symbol because it was a recycling symbol — at least, that’s what consumers reasonably assumed. The number was just additional information about which type of recyclable plastic this was.

This consumer confusion was probably foreseeable. It also benefited the plastics industry — products bearing the symbol looked like they had a positive environmental story. The fact that local recycling programs might not actually accept those specific materials was less prominent in consumer perception.

What the symbol actually means today

For a plastic product with a “1” inside the chasing arrows:
– The product is made of PET / PETE plastic
– PET is the most widely-recycled plastic in the US (along with HDPE / #2)
– Whether your specific item gets recycled depends on your local program

For a plastic product with a “7” inside the chasing arrows:
– The product is made of “Other” plastic — could be one of dozens of materials
– The recyclability is essentially unknown without more information
– Most #7 plastics are not recyclable in standard programs

For a plastic product with the symbol but no number:
– This is rare but does exist
– Usually indicates older labeling or non-standard application

The recyclability of any of these depends on:
1. The specific material
2. The form factor (a clear PET water bottle vs. a colored PET food tray)
3. The local recycling program’s acceptance criteria
4. Contamination level on the specific item
5. Market demand for the recycled material

A “1” symbol on a clear, clean water bottle in a major US city: highly likely to be recycled.
A “1” symbol on a colored food tray: maybe accepted, maybe not.
A “7” symbol on anything: very unlikely to be recycled.

The chasing arrows symbol doesn’t tell you which of these scenarios applies.

Why this matters

The misalignment between what the symbol implies and what it actually means has real consequences:

Consumer confusion. People put items in recycling that aren’t actually recyclable. The items contaminate the recycling stream and end up in landfill anyway.

Wishcycling. Consumers see the symbol, want to do the right thing, and toss items in the recycling bin hoping they’ll be recycled. The good intent doesn’t change the disposal reality.

Brand washing. Companies use the symbol on products that have no realistic recycling pathway. The symbol becomes a marketing element rather than a sorting guide.

Regulatory inattention. The symbol’s ubiquity has reduced pressure on companies to make actual recyclable products, because the symbol creates the impression of recyclability.

Recent regulatory pushback

Several US jurisdictions are addressing the chasing arrows symbol problem.

California SB 343 (2023): Requires that the chasing arrows symbol only be used on products that are actually recyclable in the state’s recycling streams. This is a major change. Companies marketing in California can no longer apply the symbol to products that aren’t realistically recyclable.

Federal Trade Commission Green Guides: The FTC’s “Green Guides” provide guidance to marketers about environmental claims. The current Green Guides (revised in 2012, with updates in process) require that recycling claims be substantiated by reasonable evidence that the product is actually recyclable in the consumer’s geographic area.

FTC enforcement actions: The FTC has occasionally taken action against companies making misleading recycling claims. These actions are rare but signal that misleading recycling claims are a regulatory risk.

Other state legislation: Several other states have introduced or are considering similar laws to California’s SB 343.

The trajectory is clear: misleading recycling symbols and claims are facing increased regulatory scrutiny. Companies that have relied on the chasing arrows symbol for products that aren’t actually recyclable will need to adjust their marketing.

How to actually check whether something is recyclable

Since the chasing arrows symbol doesn’t reliably indicate recyclability, what should you check?

1. Your local recycling program’s acceptance list. Each municipal or commercial recycler has a list of accepted materials. This is the authoritative source for what your specific items can be recycled.

2. The specific material type, not just the number. A clear PET water bottle and a colored PET food tray are both “1” plastics but have very different recycling outcomes.

3. The form factor. Rigid containers (bottles, jars, tubs) are generally easier to recycle than films or flat sheets.

4. The contamination level. Items with food residue, mixed materials, or labels glued on may be rejected from recycling.

5. The “How2Recycle” label, if present. This newer labeling system (used by many major brands) provides specific recyclability information. It’s more reliable than the chasing arrows symbol.

For most consumers, the practical approach is: when in doubt, check the local recycling program’s website. They typically have a searchable database of accepted materials.

The compostable parallel

Compostable foodware has gone through a similar evolution. Early “compostable” claims were often vague — a product labeled “compostable” might or might not actually compost in any reasonable timeframe.

Modern certifications (BPI, ASTM D6400, OK Compost) provide much more specific information. A BPI-certified product has been tested and meets specific compostability standards. The certification is verifiable and is now widely required by commercial composting facilities.

The chasing arrows symbol could evolve in a similar direction — toward more specific, verifiable claims tied to actual disposal pathways. California SB 343 is a step in that direction. Whether the broader market moves there or not depends on regulatory and market pressure.

For consumers and businesses making purchasing decisions today, certified compostable claims are more reliable than the chasing arrows symbol. A product with BPI certification or OK Compost certification has been tested. A product with the chasing arrows symbol may or may not be recyclable.

What businesses should do

For commercial buyers and brand operations, the chasing arrows situation creates some clear guidance:

Don’t rely on the chasing arrows symbol as evidence of environmental commitment. It doesn’t tell you what your products will actually do when disposed of.

Verify actual recyclability in your customer’s geographic markets. A product that’s recyclable in one city may not be in another. The marketing claim needs to match the operational reality.

Use specific certifications. BPI for compostable, BMI / GLAD ASTM compliance for recyclables, OK Compost for European markets. These are verifiable claims.

Prepare for regulatory changes. California SB 343 is likely a leading indicator. Other states will probably follow with similar laws. Marketing materials and packaging need to align with what’s actually true.

Consider the disposal pathway, not just the material. A product made of “100% recyclable plastic” isn’t actually recyclable if there’s no commercial recycling stream for it. The pathway matters, not just the material.

A note on plastic numbers and recycling outcomes

To help consumers understand what each plastic number actually means in practice:

• #1 PET: Widely recycled in most US municipalities. The recycling outcome is reasonably good — recycled PET often goes into new bottles or polyester fabric.

• #2 HDPE: Widely recycled. Recycled HDPE goes into new bottles, pipes, plastic lumber, and similar applications.

• #3 PVC: Rarely accepted in curbside recycling. Often goes to landfill. Specialty recyclers handle some PVC streams.

• #4 LDPE: Plastic bags and films are difficult to recycle in curbside systems (they jam sorting equipment). Some grocery stores accept LDPE bags for separate recycling.

• #5 PP: Improving recyclability. Some curbside programs accept; others don’t. Bottle caps and yogurt containers are common #5 items.

• #6 PS: Polystyrene foam is rarely recycled. Most municipalities don’t accept it. Specialty drop-off programs exist for clean foam packaging.

• #7 Other: Bioplastics (PLA), mixed plastics, multi-layer plastics. Generally not recyclable in standard streams. Some PLA may be compostable in commercial facilities.

The reality is more nuanced than the symbol suggests. Recycling outcomes vary by region, specific item, and the recycler’s capabilities.

The compostable framing

For commercial operations switching from plastic to compostable foodware, the chasing arrows situation is one of several reasons the transition is worthwhile:

• Compostable certifications are verifiable in a way recycling claims often aren’t
• The disposal pathway (commercial compost) is more reliable than the disposal pathway for many plastics (recycling that often doesn’t happen)
• The marketing claim (“compostable”) matches the operational reality
• Customer trust is built on accurate environmental claims, not misleading ones

For compostable foodware operations, the chasing arrows situation provides useful context. The compostable certification system is more rigorous than the plastic recycling labeling, which gives compostable products a credibility advantage in environmentally-conscious markets.

The bottom line

The chasing arrows symbol:
– Identifies the type of plastic (a “Resin Identification Code”)
– Was designed for sorting, not consumer recycling guidance
– Doesn’t tell you whether your item is actually recyclable
– Has been widely misused or misunderstood as a recyclability claim
– Is facing regulatory pushback (California SB 343 and similar laws)

What it does NOT tell you:
– Whether your local program accepts the material
– Whether the item is contaminated and thus rejectable
– Whether market conditions support recycling of this material
– The actual environmental impact of recycling vs. landfill for this item

For making disposal decisions:
– Check your local recycling program’s acceptance list
– Look for more specific labels like How2Recycle
– Trust certified compostable labels for compostable items
– Don’t assume the chasing arrows symbol means “recyclable”

The symbol is one of the most common environmental icons in American consumer life, and one of the most misleading. Understanding what it actually represents (a material code, not a recyclability claim) helps consumers and businesses make better disposal decisions.

For consumers, the right answer is often: check your local recycling program directly. For businesses, the right answer is: don’t use the symbol as a substitute for actual verified recyclability or compostability claims. Specific certifications are more credible than the chasing arrows symbol for any environmental marketing.

The chasing arrows symbol will probably continue to appear on plastic products for years. Understanding what it actually means makes you a more informed consumer and a more honest brand operator.

For B2B sourcing, see our compostable supplies catalog or compostable bags catalog.

Background on the underlying standards: ASTM D6400 defines the U.S. industrial-compost performance bar, EN 13432 harmonises the EU equivalent, and the FTC Green Guides govern how “compostable” can be marketed on packaging in the United States.