Waste Management / Recycle Signs

Sorting waste should be simple. But in shared spaces — offices, campuses, public buildings — it often isn’t.
People pause in front of bins, unsure what goes where. Is this compostable? Can this paper cup be recycled?
And if the signs aren’t clear, they guess. Or worse, they give up.

Good waste management signs don’t just list rules — they remove hesitation.
A strong icon, a short label, and a consistent layout do more to improve sorting behavior than any full paragraph ever could.

We’ve worked with offices that needed signage for four waste streams, all in multiple languages.
We’ve done systems for schools where color-coded shapes helped kids make the right choice without needing to read.
And in public facilities, we often see these signs placed alongside facility directories or directional signage, helping build a sense of environmental order into the architecture.

Material matters too. These signs are touched, cleaned, sometimes knocked into with bins or carts.
We recommend finishes that resist fingerprints and can handle cleaning agents — matte acrylic, laminated surfaces, even etched aluminum in high-traffic zones.

Waste and recycling signs may not seem like design elements, but when done right, they quietly shape behavior — and make shared spaces feel more responsible.