The Association of Plastic Recyclers (APR) is expanding its PCR Certification Program to verify the percentage of PCR content in finished and semi-finished plastic products, reflecting growing demand for verified recycled content, the organization announced today.
Demand for verified recycled content is growing, amid new extended producer responsibility (EPR) laws for packaging, PCR content mandates and public skepticism of plastic recycling systems.
APR based the new producer standard on ISO chain-of-custody and traceability requirements, to provide independent third-party verification of recycled content claims. Certified companies will be listed in the APR Certified PCR Directory.
The organization previously had focused certification on PCR material produced by recyclers in pellet or flake form.
“Expanding APR PCR Certification to include producers and supply chain participants strengthens confidence in recycled content claims and supports the growing demand for transparency and accountability,” said Rita Phillip, program director for APR PCR Certification. “This program helps ensure that companies claiming to use recycled plastic can substantiate those claims with independent, third-party verification.”
The standard is aligned with RecyClass’s Recycled Plastics Traceability Certification standard, supporting harmonization of recycled-content verification across North America and Europe.
In May, APR and RecyClass released the third joint report on progress toward global harmonization of plastic recyclability.
Steve Alexander, APR president and CEO, said, “Making new products from post-consumer recycled plastic — plastic packaging commonly recycled by households and businesses — is one of the most effective ways to reduce plastic waste and decrease reliance on virgin plastic. Because recycled content cannot be visually distinguished from virgin plastic, third-party certification is essential for verifying recycled content claims.”
APR owns Resource Recycling, Inc., publisher of Plastics Recycling Update.
