A new “reuse symbol” was introduced on June 3, 2026 by PR3, a global group that works on standards for reusable packaging. The idea is simple: when people see this mark on a bottle, cup, or food container, they should understand that the item is meant to be returned, washed, and used again, not thrown away after one use. PR3 says the symbol was created because many people still confuse reusable packaging with recyclable or single-use packaging. (pr3standards.org)
The symbol did not appear overnight. In 2025, PR3 started a project called Rebrand Reuse to find one clear mark that could work around the world. The project received 236 designs from 29 countries. The final design was made by Epigrama Studios in Bogotá, Colombia, and PR3 tested it with 1,275 people in 17 countries before choosing it. PR3 also checked that it looked different from the well-known recycling arrows. (pr3standards.org)
This is important because recycling alone is not enough. According to the OECD, only 9% of global plastic waste was recycled in 2019. Reuse systems try to reduce waste in a different way: instead of making a new package each time, the same package can move through a system of return, collection, washing, and reuse. That is why PR3 connects the new mark to real system rules, not just a nice design. (oecd.org)
So, can you use that bottle again? The new mark does not mean “maybe.” It should only be used on primary packaging that is part of an actual reuse system. PR3 says there must be return points, transport, washing facilities, and other support in place. The symbol is not for every container. For example, it should not be used for a cup or bottle that a customer personally owns and simply refills at a store. (pr3standards.org)
The mark is already being introduced in many places, including Australia, Canada, Colombia, Egypt, Indonesia, the UK, the UAE, and the US. For everyday shoppers, this could become a helpful sign: if you see it, the item is probably meant to go back into a reuse system, not into the trash. (pr3standards.org)










