The symbol for recycling was designed by Gary Anderson, a 23-year-old University of Southern California student, when he entered a contest sponsored by Container Corporation of America. The contest was open to art and design students from high schools and colleges across the country and was designed to raise awareness of environmental issues.

Anderson's design was chosen from over 600 entries and was first used in 1971. The symbol is now used worldwide and is recognized by people of all ages and backgrounds.

The recycling symbol is a Mobius loop, which is a mathematical symbol that represents infinity. The three arrows in the loop represent the three steps of recycling: collection, sorting, and reprocessing.

Recycling Signs

Recycling signs are used to inform people about recycling programs and to encourage them to recycle. They are typically found in public places, such as parks, schools, and office buildings.

Recycling signs can be general or they can be specific to a particular type of material, such as plastics, paper, or metal. They may also include instructions on how to recycle properly.

The use of recycling signs has helped to increase recycling rates around the world. In the United States, for example, the recycling rate has increased from 10% in 1970 to 35% in 2022.

Here are some examples of recycling signs:

• General recycling signs: These signs simply say "Recycle" or "Please Recycle."
• Material-specific recycling signs: These signs tell people which materials can be recycled at a particular location. For example, a sign might say "Recycle Paper, Plastic, and Metal."
• Instructional recycling signs: These signs tell people how to recycle properly. For example, a sign might say "Rinse Cans and Bottles Before Recycling."
• Mandatory recycling signs: These signs tell people that recycling is required by law. For example, a sign might say "Recyclables Only" or "No Exceptions."

Recycling signs are an important tool for promoting recycling and reducing waste. They can help to educate people about the benefits of recycling and make it easy for them to recycle properly.