Global Reuse Symbol
Symbol Purpose
The global reuse symbol is a clear, recognizable symbol that is distinct from recycling and other symbols. It is intended to clearly identify reusable products and packaging, and the infrastructure that helps circulate them, visually connecting the parts of a reuse system for users. The symbol differentiates reusable products from recyclable and other single-use waste, enabling consumers to keep reusable items out of recycling, landfill and other waste streams.
It is important that the symbol is only used on products and packaging that are truly reused in practice or on parts of a system enabling reuse. The criteria below have been developed to prevent the symbol from being used incorrectly, to avoid greenwash and false advertising claims, and to boost understanding of and confidence in reusable packaging systems.
Criteria for Use of Symbol
Criteria for use updated April 2026, subject to change
The reuse symbol is currently only available for primary packaging that is part of a reuse system, for reuse system infrastructure, such as collection points, wash facilities, signage, etc., and for promotional material that promotes reusable packaging systems. Primary packaging is packaging that comes into direct contact with a product, such as a cup, bottle, jar, clamshell, or box.
The reuse symbol is currently not available for any other types of products or packaging, such as secondary packaging, transport packaging, or refillable containers that consumers bring with them to refill in stores.
Reusable Primary Packaging
The reuse symbol may be applied (via direct marking or labeling) to reusable primary packaging that meets all of the following criteria:
The packaging is designed to be durable enough to accomplish, or proves its ability to accomplish, a minimum number of use-cycles in a reusable packaging system.
Physical infrastructure and arrangements are in place to ensure the possibility and likelihood of reuse, including BOTH of the below:
Physical infrastructure for reuse, including, but not limited to, all of the below
Designated collection points to return the packaging for reuse
Facilities to sort, wash, inspect, store and/or refurbish packaging for reuse
Systems to collect, transport and/or distribute the packaging for reuse
Organizational, technical, and/or financial arrangements or partnerships, formal or informal, that enable the reusable packaging to be used multiple times for its intended purpose.
The packaging is washed and handled according to the following:
In locations where there is a regulation specific to washing reusable packaging, the packaging is washed and handled according to the local regulation.
In locations where there is no regulation, the packaging is washed and handled according to RES-002/CSA R303 or other relevant industry reuse standards.
The packaging is part of a system that achieves the following number of use-cycles:
In locations where a minimum number of use-cycles is set by regulation, the packaging achieves the minimum number of use-cycles specified in the regulation, or
In locations where there is no regulation related to the number of use-cycles, the packaging achieves the minimum number of use-cycles specified in RES-005 (pending publication) or other relevant industry reuse standards.
The packaging meets other reuse requirements in local regulations, including specifications for incentive programs, system governance, or other specifications, if they exist.
Reusable Primary Packaging System Infrastructure
The reuse symbol may be applied to infrastructure that is part of a reusable packaging system as long as it meets both of the following criteria:
The infrastructure serves a specific role(s) in a reusable packaging system that meets the packaging criteria above, and
The infrastructure is one of the following:
Designated collection points to return packaging for reuse
Vehicle that transports packaging for reuse
Facility that sorts, stores, washes, and/or refurbishes packaging for reuse
Signage intended to identify components or support usage of a reusable packaging system
Digital infrastructure, such as a website, online platform, or other digital interface, that supports a reusable packaging system
Promotional Materials
The reuse symbol may be applied to promotional materials that are intended to do at least one of the below:
Increase participation in reusable packaging systems
Provide education about reusable packaging systems
Advance cultural acceptance of reusable packaging systems
Proclaim support for reuse systems without violating non-eligible reuse symbol usage
Non-eligible symbol usage
The reuse symbol may NOT be used on any of the following:
Any system, infrastructure or packaging/product that is not for primary, business-to-consumer (B2C) packaging, including but not limited to: transport or secondary packaging, electronics, textiles, business-to-business (B2B) packaging.
Containers, bags, or foodware that consumers own and bring with them to refill in stores and that cannot be returned to a system for collection, washing, and redistribution. E.g. coffee cups that consumers own and bring to a cafe for refill; water bottles that consumers own and refill; shopping bags that consumers own and bring to a store with them when they shop.
Containers, foodware, bags or other products that are distributed without a reuse system in place that meets the above criteria.
Promotional materials may NOT be directly attached to products, packaging or reuse infrastructure unless they meet the criteria above.
Download the Reuse Symbol