Forty-one years ago, Gary Anderson created the iconic recycle symbol that can be seen at most recycling locations and on recyclable products today. El Segundo, Calif.-based bioresin manufacturer Cereplast Inc. is accepting design submissions to find the next bioplastic symbol that, when stamped on a product, will clearly serve as an indication that the product is made from biobased materials.

According to Nicole Cardi, vice president of marketing and communications at Cereplast, the company has received more than 350 submissions since the contest launched on Jan. 3, and she expects more before the contest ends March 4.

“There are many universities with design programs that have actually made the contest as part of their curriculum,” Cardi said. “We anticipate over the next few weeks we’ll start to see a lot of really great submissions going through. It’s a very exciting time for us.”

Cereplast requires that design submissions have the ability to be single-color, or colorless, and be easily identifiable. Design submissions must include three variations to symbolize the end-of-life options for the product—whether to compost or recycle it. The three variations include: a general bioplastics symbol, a version identifying compostability, and a version indicating recyclability.

Cardi said entries will undergo two phases of judging: the first in a public voting system that will determine the top 50 finalists, and the second coming from a renowned panel of judges that will include Anderson and industrial designer Karim Rashid. The judges will select the top three designs and the winners will be announced on April 21 (Earth Day Eve) in Los Angeles. The designer of the winning bioplastics symbol will also receive $25,000.

“Make Your Mark” design entries can be submitted via www.iizuu.com/cereplast, where official rules and guidelines are also posted. To view the contest video, visit http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kxV_y01wfLw.

“It doesn’t matter who submits first or later in the contest, every submission will be given equal evaluation,” Cardi said.