The Association of Plastic Recyclers (APR) announced the expansion of its PCR Certification Program to certify the presence and verify the percentage of post-consumer recycled (PCR) content in finished and semi-finished plastic products. Previously focused on certifying PCR material produced by recyclers in pellet or flake form, the program now extends throughout the supply chain, enabling manufacturers, brand owners, brokers, distributors, traders, and other organizations that buy, sell, or handle PCR to verify recycled content claims through independent third-party certification.
The new producer standard is based on ISO chain-of-custody and traceability requirements, providing a rigorous process to verify that companies are using recycled plastic in the amounts they claim. Certified companies will be listed in the APR Certified PCR Directory, creating a trusted resource for organizations seeking products and packaging made with certified PCR.
鈥淓xpanding 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,鈥� said Rita Phillip, Program Director for APR PCR Certification. 鈥淭his program helps ensure that companies claiming to use recycled plastic can substantiate those claims with independent, third-party verification.鈥�
As demand for verified recycled content grows, APR PCR Certification is increasingly recognized as a trusted tool for compliance and accountability.聽 The standard is aligned with RecyClass鈥檚 Recycled Plastics Traceability Certification standard, supporting harmonization of recycled-content verification across North America and Europe.
鈥淢aking new products from post-consumer recycled plastic鈥攑lastic packaging commonly recycled by households and businesses鈥攊s one of the most effective ways to reduce plastic waste and decrease reliance on virgin plastic,鈥� added Steve Alexander, APR President and CEO. 鈥淏ecause recycled content cannot be visually distinguished from virgin plastic, third-party certification is essential for verifying recycled content claims.鈥�