As our industry tackles plastic pollution, a complex ecosystem of certifications for chemical recycling and plastic credits has emerged. Let's explore this landscape together:
Key Players in Plastic Credits and Recycling Certifications:
ISCC PLUS (https://www.iscc-system.org): Certifies bio-based and circular materials, including chemically recycled plastics.
Verra (https://verra.org): Offers the Plastic Waste Reduction Standard.
Zero Plastic Oceans (https://www.zeroplasticoceans.org): Focuses on Ocean Bound Plastic credits.
rePurpose Global (https://repurpose.global): Emphasizes blockchain for transparency.
Plastic Credit Exchange (PCX) (https://plasticcreditexchange.com): Provides a marketplace for plastic credit trading.
Plastic Bank (https://plasticbank.com): Offers Social Plastic® credits for ocean-bound plastic.
Empower (https://www.empower.eco): Uses blockchain for plastic waste traceability.
TONTOTON (https://tontoton.com): Specializes in non-recyclable plastic waste collection.
RecyClass (https://recyclass.eu): Certifies recycling processes and packaging recyclability.
EuCertPlast (https://www.eucertplast.eu): Certifies plastics recycling processes in Europe.
APR (https://plasticsrecycling.org): Offers recognition for recyclable packaging designs.
SCS Global Services (https://www.scsglobalservices.com): Provides third-party certification for recycled content claims.
UL Environment (https://www.ul.com/services/environmental-claim-validation): Validates recycled content claims.
CSR Plastic Credit (https://csrplasticcredit.com): Focuses on blockchain-based traceability.
APChemi's Experience:
ISCC Plus Certification of 4 of our clients has been completed to date. An additional 2 ISCC Plus projects are in progress, apart from our own ISCC Plus certification. Read more here: https://www.apchemi.com/post/success-story-iscc-plus-certified-chemical-recycling
Key Observations:
- Most organizations focus on plastic recycling or credits broadly, not specifically on chemical recycling.
- There's a trend towards using blockchain technology for improved traceability.
- The landscape is diverse, with players focusing on different aspects (ocean plastics, packaging, general waste).
Challenges Ahead:
1. Standardization: How do we align these diverse approaches?
2. Verification: Ensuring real impact in complex supply chains.
3. Avoiding Greenwashing: Balancing credit systems with actual reduction efforts.
4. Chemical Recycling Integration: Many systems aren't yet tailored for advanced recycling methods.
The Big Questions:
- How can we harmonize these systems for greater industry-wide impact?
- What role should chemical recycling play in plastic credit schemes?
- How do we ensure these certifications drive genuine progress towards a circular economy?
🔥 Hot Take: Have you worked with any of these certification systems? What has been your experience? Message us here: https://www.apchemi.com/contact