Recycling
The Mobius loop under ISO 14021 is a self-declared environmental claim by the supplier. Without additions it means "recyclable"; with a percentage inside it states the recycled content.
Scope: the symbol is not among the medical device symbols in EN ISO 15223-1. It addresses the packaging, not the product.
Legal framework: in Germany the Packaging Act obliges manufacturers and importers to register in the LUCID packaging register and participate in a dual system. At EU level, Packaging Regulation (EU) 2025/40 replaces Directive 94/62/EC and tightens requirements on recyclability and recycled content.
Practice for gloves: outer cartons and dispenser boxes are normally recyclable. Used medical single-use gloves are not; they are subject to waste disposal under the rules of the respective facility.
Frequently asked questions
Is the recycling symbol a medical device symbol?
No. The Mobius loop follows ISO 14021 and relates to the packaging. The symbol standard for medical devices is EN ISO 15223-1, which contains no recycling symbol of this kind.
What does a percentage inside the Mobius loop mean?
The figure states the proportion of recycled material in the product or packaging. Without a figure, the symbol represents only a recyclability claim by the supplier.
Are used single-use gloves recyclable?
Generally no. Used gloves from clinical areas count as waste for disposal depending on contamination. Classification follows the applicable waste codes and the facility's hygiene requirements.