Can Graphic Design Help Fix Recycling?

The recycling symbol, designed by Gary Anderson in 1970, was intended to convey an ecological message but has ultimately lead to confusion. That circular symbol describes a system that is unfortunatelh not so circular in practice. Despite its widespread presence on products, less than 10% of plastic has been recycled in the last 40 years. Much of this is due to the fact that the symbol appears on products that are not actually recyclable. Unlike European countries, the US lacks a comprehensive approach, leaving consumers with the burden of recycling responsibility. This is a great article that explores how graphic design and an expansion or revision of the symbols could make the recycling process more effective overall.