U.S. "Chasing arrows" plastic recycling symbol may get tossed in the trash
This discussion thread was locked as off-topic by JudyM (a host of the Latest Breaking News forum).
Source: CBS News
The "chasing arrows" logo is universally recognized as a sign to recycle, but the Environmental Protection Agency is now saying it's also universally confusing. It's recommending tossing the symbol for plastics and replacing it with a new one. The proposed change comes amid a growing body of research that suggests that plastic recycling isn't working and that most plastic is still ending up in landfills.
As little as 5% of plastic is actually recycled, according to one recent study. "I've been suggesting this for years now, thinking that's confusing," Kate O'Neill, a professor at University of California Berkeley, said of the logo change. O'Neill studies the global and local politics of waste and recycling. "So, I try and unconfuse people," she said. "But again, it ought to be easier."
The EPA agrees. In April, the agency recommended the Federal Trade Commission get rid of the chasing arrows recycling symbol for plastics, calling it "deceptive or misleading."
"I think the deceptive part is the symbol because that looks like recycling," said O'Neill. "And sometimes we're told it's recyclable just because it shows that."
Read more: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/chasing-arrows-plastic-recycling-symbol-may-get-tossed-in-the-trash/
EPA comments document sent to FTC for the proposed FTC Rule change (PDF) - https://s3.documentcloud.org/documents/23789593/epa-comments-to-ftc.pdf
I think the above had been submitted as comments to FTC's proposed Rules update here - https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2023/02/06/2023-02354/guides-for-the-use-of-environmental-marketing-claims
Since then FTC has held a workshop in May focusing on the recycling and marketing labels (comments due back by June) - https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2023/03/07/2023-04589/public-workshop-examining-guides-for-the-use-of-environmental-marketing-claims
Video of FTC's recycling workshop - https://www.ftc.gov/media/talking-trash-ftc-recyclable-claims-green-guides-may-23-2023
= new reply since forum marked as read
knowing there are different "codes" associated with them regarding how recyclable they are as a number of recycling services only take and/or can process certain types.
Did a quick scan and saw the Old Farmer's Almanac had a good little chart - https://www.almanac.com/which-plastics-are-recyclable-number
I know the "average person" is not going to bother with trying to figure that out and most who "try" to comply with recycling in their municipalities, will just throw any "plastic jug or soda bottle" into the recycling, and doing that is really no good. 
So it is definitely due for a realistic and accurate "update".
I know I try to look for the #2s to at least to get into the recycling bin although I do still get a number of things that are jarred in glass (but even that has it's own problem with respect to recycling 
).
That was one that I grew up with although they disappeared around here years ago.
I remember as a kid getting paper straws, I think at the movies? I am finally seeing those make a comeback.
I do remember these though -
No final decision has been made. Was also alerted on as being a feature article rather than important breaking news. Good to repost in General Discussion if you’d like. 