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 sign system has been developed in collaboration with Avfall Sverige's sister organizations in the Nordic countries. Since its launch in 2020, the system has spread rapidly and is currently used in Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Iceland and Latvia, with growing interest from the rest of Europe. In 2026, the Ukrainian government also decided that the country should introduce the same system.