For years, one little symbol has shaped the way we think about waste. Spot the recycling logo, toss it in the right bin and you've done your bit for the planet.

But what if the next symbol we all learn to recognise encourages us to create less waste in the first place?

A brand new global reuse symbol has just been unveiled, and its mission is simple: make reusable packaging as easy to identify as the recycling logo. While it might seem like a small design change, it's part of a much bigger movement that's helping shift the world from a throwaway culture towards one where products are made to be used again and again. 

Why reuse comes before recycling

Recycling has become second nature for many of us, and that's worth celebrating (woohoo)! But according to the globally recognised waste hierarchy, it's actually not the best environmental outcome.

The hierarchy places waste prevention first, followed by reuse, with recycling further down the list. That's because recycling still requires products to be collected, broken down and remanufactured, while reuse keeps the same packaging in circulation for much longer before it eventually reaches the end of its life.

With global plastic consumption expected to triple by 2060, finding ways to reduce the amount of single-use packaging entering the system has never been more important.

A symbol with a big purpose

The new bright purple reuse symbol didn't appear overnight. Led by PR3: The Global Alliance to Advance Reuse, an international design competition invited creatives from around the world to imagine a universal icon for reuse. The initiative received 236 submissions from 29 countries before one design, created by Epigrama Studios in Bogotá, Colombia, was selected following global consumer testing across 17 countries.

The winning design represents return, continuity and circulation, reflecting the idea that products don't have to follow a straight line from shelf to bin. Instead, they can be collected, cleaned and reused many times over.

Soon you'll begin seeing the symbol on reusable cups, takeaway containers, beverage bottles, cleaning product containers, collection bins, signage and other reuse systems designed to make returning packaging simple. Talk about giving packaging a remarkable second chance!

More than just a logo

As exciting as the symbol is, the organisations behind it are clear that it isn't a magic solution on its own.

Successful reuse also relies on collection systems, washing facilities, transport networks and businesses working together to keep packaging circulating. That's why the new symbol can only be used within genuine reuse systems that meet PR3's global standards for collection, transport, sorting, washing and return.

Researchers also point out that visual cues play an important role in helping people make quick decisions. A recognisable symbol makes it easier to identify reusable options, helping reuse become an everyday habit rather than something people have to think twice about. 

A future worth recognising

We love seeing practical solutions that make sustainable living feel easier, not harder! Whether it's carrying a reusable coffee cup, refilling your cleaning products or choosing packaging that's designed to stay in circulation, every small swap helps build demand for better systems.

At Go For Zero, that's a philosophy we've believed in from day one! Reducing waste starts long before something reaches the recycling bin. It's about choosing products that replace disposable alternatives, are made to last, and have a clear, low waste pathway once they've reached the end of their life.

That's why many of the products we stock come with little to no packaging where possible and when packaging is needed, we look for materials that can often be home composted, reused or repurposed, helping keep resources in use for longer.

This new reuse symbol won't solve the plastic crisis on its own, but it gives people something simple to recognise and rally behind. And sometimes that's exactly how lasting change begins. Here's hoping that before long, spotting the purple reuse symbol becomes just as familiar as spotting the recycling logo. Because the best kind of waste is the waste that never exists in the first place.

Ready for another feel-good story? Check out our blog here Queensland's new recycling strategy. It's a goodie, I promise!

With Love, 
Ellie xo

FAQs

1. What is the new reuse symbol?

The new global reuse symbol is a universal icon designed to identify reusable packaging and reuse systems. It helps people quickly recognise products and packaging that are intended to be returned, collected, cleaned and used again, rather than thrown away after a single use.

2. How is reuse different from recycling?

Reuse keeps the same product or packaging in circulation for multiple uses before it's eventually recycled. Recycling, on the other hand, involves breaking materials down and remanufacturing them into new products. According to the waste hierarchy, reuse is generally a more environmentally beneficial option because it reduces the need for new materials and manufacturing.

3. Why is reusable packaging better for the environment?

Reusable packaging can significantly reduce the need for single-use materials, helping cut plastic waste, conserve resources and lower emissions. When supported by collection, cleaning and return systems, reusable packaging keeps materials in use for longer and reduces waste at its source.

4. Where will I see the new reuse symbol?

The new reuse symbol is expected to appear on reusable items such as cups, takeaway containers, beverage bottles and cleaning product containers. It may also be displayed on collection bins, return points, signage and other infrastructure that supports reuse systems.

5. How can I support reuse in my everyday life?

Supporting reuse can be as simple as carrying a reusable coffee cup, choosing refillable products, reusing containers where possible and selecting products with minimal or reusable packaging. Every small swap helps encourage businesses and communities to invest in systems that make reuse easier for everyone.