APR upgrades PCR certification program

The Washington-based Association of Plastic Recyclers (APR) recently released upgrades and improvements to its APR PCR Certification Program.

Responding to the growing demand for more accountability in recycling from government regulators, brand companies and in the broader media, the APR says its updated program “stands out among others in the industry” for being straightforward, streamlined, aligned with international standards and in tune with anticipated domestic requirements such as extended producer responsibility (EPR) legislation in California and Oregon.

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The APR's PCR (postconsumer resin) certification is a third-party independent assessment and verification that recycled content (plastic pellets or flake) originates from postconsumer sources such as the plastic packaging commonly recycled by U.S. households. The organization says its program prepares recyclers and brand companies for upcoming regulatory changes and establishes best-in-class performance standards for leading companies.

Since its launch in 2021, the PCR certification has been awarded to more than 35 plastic recyclers, covering an estimated 30 percent or more of the postconsumer polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polypropylene (PP), high-density polyethylene (HDPE), low-density polyethylene (LDPE) and linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE) produced in North America.

The APR says its program improvements will help expand its reach and bring more stability to the PCR market.

“The APR PCR Certification Program provides stronger accountability and transparency to prepare companies for requirements on recycled plastic resin that are emerging in laws across North America and globally, particularly in minimum content mandates and EPR for packaging laws,” APR President and CEO Steve Alexander says. “It is a robust, reliable and verifiable mechanism to prove a claim for minimum PCR content and to meet customer needs and EPR requirements such as those in California’s S.B. 54 regulations.”

Based on ISO chain of custody and traceability standards, including requirements for elements of management systems to be in place and traceability through sales of product, the APR says the program covers all major types of plastic resin and can be used in any application of recycled content. The standard was written in coordination with RecyClass’ audit scheme for recycled plastics traceability and associated modules to provide global harmonization and more efficient processing for multinational companies.

The APR says the updated program will be more efficient for multisite companies and allow for multisite certification under one “corporate” certificate.

APR PCR Certification Program Director Rita Phillip says the new program will be rolled out in phases, beginning with a new standard developed for reclaimers and recyclers, followed by a standard covering converters and finished goods manufacturers.

“This third-party validation builds trust between buyers and sellers of recycled plastic and strengthens the overall marketplace," Phillip says.