15 Of The Most Famous Box And Packaging Symbols And Their Meanings

15 Of The Most Famous Box And Packaging Symbols And Their Meanings

Whenever you receive or send a package you can't help but notice a particular set of symbols printed on the box.

Sometimes these symbols are obvious and sometimes not that much. Hopefully this list containing images of packaging symbols and their meanings will be of help to you the next time you encounter a specific emblem you are not familiar with.

Tidyman. Or also known as the "Keep Britain Tidy" symbol. This little fellah is often times seen on different kinds wrappers and packages. Sometimes mistaken for recyclable, the purpose of the Tidyman is to remind people to be responsible and throw their rubbish in the rubbish bins. Pop culture has also adopted Tidyman and you have probably seen several different versions of it without even realising.

Fragile. Sometimes just written as "Fragile" and other times you see both the image and word, this symbol aims to tell you the contents inside the box are easily breakable and need to be handled with care. An alternative symbol, but with the same meaning is the image of two hands holding a box. You have probably seen it as well.

Mobius Loop. The product is recyclable and as such you should throw it in the appropriate bin. It does not mean, however, the product has been recycled or made out of recycled materials.

The Green Dot. Sometimes mixed up with the symbol mentioned above, but not necessary meaning the same thing. For most European countries, this means the manufacturer has made some kind of contribution towards the recycling and the recovery of packaging.

Crossed Out Bin. You are most likely, but not limited to, to find this symbol on a battery package. Batteries, unlike other household items, must never be disposed of in regular dust bins. Electronic appliances like irons, radios and television sets also carry this symbol.

Keep Dry. Keep the box out of rain and do not store it in damp places. Sometimes you can also use the box instead of an umbrella, but that’s just pushing your luck.

This Side Is Up. Sometimes you see it written with plain words and sometimes all you have is this castle-looking image. Whatever you do, always obey it, otherwise you goods might pay the price.

Thermometer. Whenever you see this symbol you should know the box contains food or drinks. The small numbers on the thermometer indicate the temperature at which the goods should be stored so they wouldn't spoil.

PET(PETE). Pilythene Terephthalate. One of the most famous food packaging symbols, although most people hardly know any details about it. It is a plastic material used in the production of drink bottles, microwaveable food trays and food containers. 90% of this material is recyclable and the three arrows are set to remind you of just that.

Fair Trade. Whenever you see this symbol you should know the contents of the package have been produced in a developing country. These products have met international FAIRTRADE standards.

Lion Mark. Those of you who are parents have probably seen this image plenty of times when buying or receiving a toy over a courier. If not, you should pay more attention to what you buy for your children. This consumer symbol means the specific toy was manufactured according rules and regulations of the BTHA (British Toy and Hobby Association). Said in one sentence, you've bought your child a high quality toy.

British Kite Mark. This well known symbol is a representation of both quality and safety. You are most likely to see this symbol on products where safety is paramount such as: fire extinguishers, ladders, helmets and so on. The certification mark is property of the The British Standards Institution (BSI Group)

European Weight. Also known as E-mark is can be seen on some pre-packed goods in Europe. What this cute oval letter says is the package is filled according to the European directive 76/211/EEC(amended by 2007/45/EC). And what does that mean? The average quantity of the product in a batch of pre packages is not supposed to be less than the quantity printed on the label.

Protect From Heat. The cargo inside the box, should not be exposed to sun rays or any additional sources of heat.

The label is also used on boxes used for transportation of food ingredients.

The CE mark. formerly known as the EC mark is a conformity marking placed on certain products which are sold within the European Economic Area. The mark is mandatory and it has been in use since 1985. Most, if not all, your household products have this symbol on them indicating the items have been tested and have passed European safety standards. Sometimes this symbol may apply for the package itself as well.

Sources: http://www.technologystudent.com/despro2/drink7. htm http://www.technologystudent.com/despro2/drink14 .htm http://www.recyclenow.com/recycle/packagingsymbols-explained http://www.kitemark.com/about-kitemark/ http://www.buzzle.com/articles/what-do-packagingsymbols-mean.html

This Guide Was Created By: REMOVALS LEWISHAM

www.removalslewisham.co.uk