Recycle Symbol

The recycling symbol —three arrows forming a triangle—has become an iconic emblem of environmental responsibility. Recognized globally, it represents the principles of sustainability and the cyclical process of reusing materials.

The symbol was created in 1970 by Gary Anderson , a 23-year-old student who won a contest organized by the Container Corporation of America to design a logo for Earth Day. The competition aimed to raise awareness about recycling, and Anderson’s design—a continuous loop of three arrows forming a triangle—won first prize.

The original design was inspired by the Möbius strip , a shape with only one continuous surface. This represented the endless cycle of recycling: collecting materials, processing them into new products, and repeating the process.