ACC releases updated mass balance standards in support of certification transparency

The American Chemistry Council (ACC), Washington, has released an updated version of its mass balance principles for advanced recycling. The update was made as plastic makers call for a more transparent third-party certification process for advanced recycling.

The policy now says the credibility of mass balance chain of custody claims should be supported by internationally recognized, auditable and transparent independent third-party verification.

According to a news release from the ACC, having credible, third-party standards and a transparent certification process will play an integral role in achieving a circular economy for plastics.

“Transparent and trustworthy third-party standards are important in every step taken to increase plastic recycling,” says Joshua Baca, vice president of plastics for the ACC. “These standards will make it easier for brand companies and manufacturers to use more recycled plastic in their products, give them confidence in communicating with consumers and help create and sustain demand for recycled plastic. All of these components will help meet the recycling goals set by America’s plastic makers as well as the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.”

Using transparent third-party standards will help verify the presence of recycled plastics from advanced recycling. One of the most widely accepted certification processes used today is mass balance, an application of conservation of mass to the analysis of physical systems. Mass balance is used to track sustainability measures in various industries, including coffee, cocoa, forestry and renewable energy.

The ACC says consistent use of third-party certification standards is important for achieving 30 percent recycled plastic in plastic packaging by 2030, which is the first action in plastic makers’ Five Actions for Sustainable Change that was released earlier this year. The Five Actions are concrete steps the ACC says Congress should take to accelerate the growth of plastic recycling in the United States.