No more Green Dot. The February 10, 2020 article on the circular economy marks the death of this misunderstood symbol. This label, which has been affixed to packaging since 1992, should gradually become less and less common and disappear completely from the shelves on 1 April 2022. However, it was no longer mandatory since 2017.
This Green Dot is a perfect example of the failed symbol. Usually displaying the colour of the environment and a recycling loop, this logo has been highly confusing for decades. The latest study on the subject, OpinionWay's "Les Français et la réduction des emballages" for Alkemics The results of the survey, which was carried out in late 2019, show that 72% of respondents at the end of 2019 believe that it means that the packaging is recyclable. However, the green dot actually just indicates that the marketer is paying a fee to an organisation responsible for managing and financing the recycling of packaging.
Directly targeting this lack of legibility, Article 10 February 2020 (Art. L. 541-10-3) stipulates: "The signs and markings which may lead to confusion as to the rule for sorting or inputting the waste from the product shall be affected by a penalty which may not be less than the amount of the financial contribution necessary for the management of the waste ."
These potentially confusing signs are "Graphic figures representing two or more arrows coiled and inscribed in a circle." (according to the order of 30 November 2020).
These penalties will be applied to marketers of packaging produced after April 1, 2021.
As the maximum stock clearance period is set at 12 months, the Green Dot may still be visible in stores until 1 April 2022.
