Understanding The Triman Logo
If your e-commerce business is focused on sustainable packaging (and you ship to France), then you’ve probably heard of the Triman logo...
How and since when?
Since 2015, it’s been mandatory to print the Triman logo on all recyclable products and -packaging sold in France, according to The French Decree No. 2014-1577. This is to help consumers understand that the packaging is recyclable and needs to be collected in separate waste bins, like those intended for recyclable plastics or paper. Not including the logo informs the consumer that your packaging may be tossed in the residual waste and yes, the rules also apply to food packaging, irrespective of whether it’s food bowls made from cardboard, shopping bags made from kraft paper, etc.
The 2022 update
As of January 2022, packaging with electronic goods (including batteries and similar items) also needs to be marked with the Triman logo, as well as a crossed-out garbage bin. The updated rules also state that the Triman logo MUST appear directly on the product or packaging (including non-recyclable shipping boxes and second-hand goods) instead of just the website or product page. Including the logo on manuals or documents that accompany your packaging is also feasible.
This new format also requires additional information on sorting, which can be displayed in French text or symbols (or both). Should your packaging and products not be exclusive to France, you need to include the country code “FR” to avoid confusion in other French-speaking countries, which may adhere to different sorting rules.
What about glass?
In France, all eco friendly packaging not made from glass needs to be placed in the “yellow bin”. Those made from glass go in the “green glass” container, which helps to make both sorting and labelling quick and easy.
Note: Adding the Triman logo to packaging containing beverages in glass bottles is optional.
And if your packaging consists of multiple parts, it’s important to display the different elements and their respective sorting methods separately.
What is the Info-Tri logo?
The additional Info-Tri logo further clarifies the sorting instructions for your sustainable packaging. These instructions are developed by eco-organisations which also provide guidelines on how to properly display the Info-Tri logo.
The Info-Tri sign should be displayed right next to the Triman logo in bar form, depending on whether it’s intended for the yellow- or green bin. These separate respective packaging components are easily identifiable by either text or pictograms sorted by product group, such as for food packaging.
In short, all household products must be marked with the Triman logo, regardless of what material they are made from. When adding the Triman logo on your product packaging, the symbol:
- Must be printed along with instructions on recycling or sorting;
- Can not be printed in colour or show the brand colours, but needs to be black and white;
- Can’t be eclipsed by other visual elements;
- Is not allowed to be smaller than 6 mm; and
- Can’t be smaller than the sign (i.e. the Info-Tri logo) right next to it.
Conclusion / The way forward with MBA Green
Is your packaging company on the correct “green” path forward – and if not, why have you not considered working with MBA Green yet? Helping companies adopt sustainable packaging instead of traditional plastic packaging is part of our main aim at MBA Green. And no matter if you’re in the food & beverage industry, retail, pharma or otherwise, we at MBA Green are also ready to assist with your customised packaging designs for extra brand promotion and enhanced customer satisfaction.