PCR recycled plastics have become the general trend? You must understand these 4 key points

Post-consumer recycled plastics (PCR) refer to plastics that are collected by households or by commercial, industrial and organizational institutions through recycling channels and can no longer be used for their original purpose, including plastics returned from the logistics and distribution chain, such as used food and daily chemical packaging, household appliances, car dismantling, etc.

In addition to post-consumer recycled plastics, "recycled plastics" also include post-industrial recycled plastics (i.e., post-industrial recycling, PIR), which are generally produced by factories and transferred from the excess waste stream generated by processing technology (commonly known as nozzle materials), sub-brand materials, defective products, etc., which can often be well recycled and not easy to leak into the environment.

Obviously, the volume of PCR is much higher than that of PIR, and if the plastic waste that fulfills the consumption mission is not recycled, it will bring huge pollution every year. Therefore, "post-consumer recycled plastics" have higher environmental significance and market value, and the "proportional use of recycled plastics" advocated by consumer goods brands are all "post-consumer recycled plastics".

"Post-consumer recycled plastic (PCR)" is the recycled plastic that the plastics value chain needs to truly recycle in order to achieve the sustainable development goals.

The "Post-Consumer Recycled Plastics (PCR)" traceability certification system is a plastic recycling enterprise that proves to the downstream that the recycled plastic particles/bottle flakes/fiber products it produces, from the identification, procurement, transportation of waste plastic raw materials to the recycling production of the factory, has the traceability information of the whole chain. Certified materials are environmentally friendly materials that truly recycle post-consumer plastics and reduce plastic pollution.

At present, the common PCR traceability certification system on the market is based on the definition of the internationally accepted ISO standard. For example: GRS, RCS, UL2809, SCS, etc.

The global recycling standard, formulated by CU (Shiyou Certification) in 2008, was transferred to TE in 2011 (the holder of GRS - TE, TextileExchange, textile exchange, other projects under TE also include such as RCS, OCS, RWS, RDS, RMS, etc.), detonated by a number of international clothing brands, from raw materials - production - processing - trade - brand. Starting with the recycling phase, each stage of production must be certified.

Suitable for products containing at least 20% recycled material. If the GRS logo is required to be hung on the product, the recycled content of the product must not be less than 50%.

Formulated for the needs of the textile industry, it is based on the ISO14020 series and is a multi-attribute product certification. It is valid for one year and has an annual review system.

Launched in 2013, the RCS certification standard is much lower than the GRS standard, and is suitable for products with a recycled content between 5% and 100%, and the RCS certification only involves the chain of custody.

The standard used by RCS is the regulatory requirement (CCS), and the purpose of RCS certification is to ensure that products contain recycled materials, so that consumers can believe that the recycled materials are in the products they are buying.

GRS is an advanced version of RCS: RCS products can use GRS-certified raw materials, but GRS products cannot use RCS raw materials.

If a company is unable to meet the requirements for social responsibility, environmental management or chemical use specified in the GRS standard in the short term, but wants to be able to effectively prove the recycled content in the upstream and downstream of the supply chain or communicate with the end consumer, it can apply for RCS certification.

Product-level certification for recycled plastic content. Suitable for all product types, such as plastics and their products, mobile phones, computers, toys, kitchenware, clothes, etc.

Information required to complete the certification:

(1) Complete product composition specifications

(2) The address of the manufacturer of the certified product

(3) Production flow chart
(4) Recycled material supplier declaration
(5) A list of materials with all components and associated weights and their recycled material content calculations
(6) Receipt record of recycled materials + delivery record of supplier
(7) Production records

The world's leading third-party environmental certification and standard development service organization, focusing on the fields of environment, sustainability, food safety and quality.

Based on the ISO14021:1999 framework, the product certification of single-attribute self-environmental declaration, valid for one year, annual review system.

Production/procurement data collection + on-site audit, and the audit report is certified by the American reviewer.

Recycled Plastic Content Certification (RCC):

(1) Recycled content certification can help manufacturers of building products, paper products, plastics, packaging, textiles, clothing, jewelry, and more achieve their sustainability and circular economy goals.

(2) Evaluate products made from pre- or post-consumer materials that are diverted from waste. This certification is designed to measure the % of recycled plastic content in order to provide manufacturers with an accurate claim from an independent third party in the marketplace.

At present, the Plastic Recycling Branch of China Synthetic Resin Association (CPRRA) and Beijing Zhenhui Environmental Protection Materials Technology Co., Ltd. are developing the first traceability certification project for "post-consumer recycled plastics (PCR)" in China in response to the demands of multiple PCR purchasing brands, and establishing a more localized, more authentic and more industry-recognizable PCR traceability system to make up for the decline in the credibility of some current certification systems, which cannot avoid the risk problems in the PCR front-end incoming material and regeneration process.

In the near future, we will promote PCR-certified products to be widely accepted internationally, and can achieve mutual recognition with the International Recycled Plastics Association and international certification companies, helping post-consumer recycled plastic manufacturers to reach a wider market.

The American Chemical Society (ACS) has proposed to the U.S. Congress that 30% recycled content be mandatory for packaging.

On July 13, 2021, the American Chemical Society released a five-point action plan arguing that the U.S. Congress should take steps to increase plastic recycling.

By 2030, some beverage bottles will contain at least 30% recycled plastic.

In 2019, the European Parliament and the Council of the European Union issued the Directive on Reducing the Environmental Impact of Certain Plastic Products (EU2019/904), which clarified that by 2025, the proportion of recycled plastic in some PET containers should not be less than 25%. By 2030, some beverage bottles will contain at least 30% recycled plastic.

By 2025, plastic packaging will contain 20% recycled content.

Australia's National Plastics Plan 2021 aims to have 50% recycled content in all packaging by 2025, with plastic packaging containing 20% recycled content.

The 2019 National Waste Policy Action Plan's target of banning the export of waste plastics, paper, glass and tires from the second half of 2020 aims to lay the groundwork for the country to provide sufficient recycled waste feedstocks.

By 2035, 100% of all used plastics will be used efficiently.

In 2019, Japan's Ministry of the Environment, through a panel of experts under the Central Environmental Committee, developed the final version of its plastic recycling strategy – calling for a 25% reduction in single-use plastic containers and packaging by 2030 and mandatory charges for shopping bags. In addition to this, the strategy calls for the reuse and recycling of plastic containers and packaging to rise to around 60% by 2030 and 100% of all used plastics, including heat recycling, by 2035.

Tax on plastic packaging: less than 30% of recycled material is taxable.

On 12 November 2020, HM Revenue & Customs published draft legislation on plastic packaging duty, which applies to plastic packaging produced in or imported into the UK that contains at least 30% recycled plastic. It was enacted in the Finance Bill 2021 and came into force on April 1, 2022.

The first Asian country to launch the Plastics Convention: by 2030, the average recycled content of all plastic packaging will be 25%.

The India Plastics Pact will focus on four 2030 target actions – a list of single-use plastics; 100% plastic packaging is reusable or recyclable; 50% of plastic packaging is effectively recycled; The average recycled content of all plastic packaging is 25%.

South Korea will increase its plastic waste recycling rate from the current 54% to 70% by 2025.

In December 2020, South Korea planned to reduce plastic waste by reducing the production of plastic products and increasing recycling rates. South Korea plans to reduce plastic waste by 20% by 2025 and increase the recycling rate of waste plastic from the current 54% to 70%.

By 2025, 30% recycled materials will be used in all plastic packaging.

By 2025, all of Canada's partners hope to identify problematic or unnecessary plastic packaging and then take steps to dispose of it; To achieve 100% reusable, recyclable or compostable plastic packaging; 50% of plastic packaging needs to be recycled or composted; To achieve the use of 30% recycled materials in all plastic packaging.