Omar Khalid
Plastic neutrality is a concept that aims to address the environmental impact of plastic by ensuring that for every unit of plastic created, an equivalent amount of plastic waste is recovered and removed from the environment. This can be achieved through recycling, waste management efforts, or purchasing plastic offset credits. Companies that achieve plastic neutrality remove the same amount of plastic waste from the environment as they produce through their products or packaging. This is different from being 'plastic-free', which means a company does not use any plastic in its products or operations. To ensure the credibility of plastic neutrality claims, companies must first accurately measure their plastic footprint and implement strategies to reduce plastic use before purchasing offsets. This approach aims to create a more sustainable and circular economy, driving infrastructure development and increasing plastic recovery and recycling rates.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Definition | Being plastic neutral means that plastic is still being used in a product or packaging, but an equal amount of plastic waste is being removed from the environment with every product produced or sold. |
| Plastic footprint | The total weight of plastic used or produced. |
| Plastic neutrality vs. plastic-free | Plastic neutrality is not the same as being 'plastic-free', which implies that a company does not use any plastic in its products or business operations. |
| Plastic neutrality vs. carbon neutrality | Carbon neutrality refers to a business using carbon offsets or alternative energy sources to produce, deliver, and use a product. |
| Plastic credits | Plastic credits contribute to the reduction of plastic pollution by financing infrastructure where it is needed, incentivizing the collection of plastic waste, and driving a circular economy by increasing recovery and recycling rates of various plastics. |
| Plastic neutrality for businesses | Businesses can become plastic neutral by measuring their plastic footprint, reducing plastic use, and committing to further reductions, and balancing their plastic footprint by funding action that recovers as much additional plastic as is being used. |
| Plastic neutrality for individuals | Individuals can become plastic neutral by funding plastic recovery to neutralize their personal footprint for a period of time. |
| Plastic neutrality for organizations | Organizations can become plastic neutral by funding plastic recovery to neutralize their footprint for a specific event or time period. |
| Plastic neutrality for brands | Brands can become plastic neutral by investing in collecting plastic pollution through plastic neutral programs and developing reduced plastic and plastic-free products. |
| Plastic neutrality for products | Products can be marked as plastic neutral if they are made from recycled materials. |
| Plastic neutrality certification | Organizations such as rePurpose Global, Plastic Collective, and Plastic Bank offer 'Plastic Neutral' (and 'Plastic Negative') certifications. |
| Plastic neutrality and recycling | Plastic neutrality drives a circular economy by increasing the recovery and recycling rates of various plastics. |
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What You'll Learn
- Plastic neutrality means an equal amount of plastic waste is removed from the environment
- Companies can purchase plastic credits to support plastic recovery projects
- Brands are increasingly conscious of their responsibility to the planet
- Plastic neutrality is different from being plastic-free
- Plastic neutrality incentivises the collection and recovery of nature-bound plastic
Plastic neutrality means an equal amount of plastic waste is removed from the environment
Plastic neutrality is a concept inspired by carbon neutrality and carbon credits. It is a way for companies to take responsibility for their plastic footprint and contribute to reducing plastic pollution. When a company claims to be plastic neutral, it means that for every amount of plastic they use in their products or packaging, an equal amount of plastic waste is removed from the environment. This is often done through partnerships with organisations that collect and recycle plastic waste, such as rePurpose Global, Plastic Bank, and 4Oceans.
Plastic neutrality is particularly appealing to environmentally conscious brands that have not found viable alternatives to plastic packaging, such as those in the personal care, food, and beverage industries. By going plastic neutral, these companies can show their commitment to sustainability and take immediate responsibility for their plastic footprint.
However, it is important to note that plastic neutrality does not mean a company is 'plastic-free'. Plastic is still being used in their products or packaging, but they are taking steps to mitigate the environmental impact of their plastic use. Some critics argue that plastic neutrality gives companies a license to pollute and does not address the root of the problem, which is the over-production and use of plastic.
To achieve plastic neutrality, companies can follow these steps:
- Measure their plastic footprint: Calculate the total weight of plastic used in their products and packaging, and multiply it by the number of units sold.
- Reduce plastic use: Take steps to minimise the use of plastic in their operations and supply chain.
- Balance their plastic footprint: Fund initiatives that recover and recycle an amount of plastic waste equivalent to their plastic usage.
By partnering with organisations that specialise in plastic waste recovery and recycling, companies can make a significant impact in reducing plastic pollution, especially in nature and the oceans.
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Companies can purchase plastic credits to support plastic recovery projects
Plastic neutrality means that an equal amount of plastic waste is removed from the environment for every product produced or sold that contains plastic. This is different from being "plastic-free", which means that a company does not use plastic in its products or operations.
The market for plastic credits is emerging to support organisations to go plastic neutral. Plastic credits contribute to the reduction of plastic pollution by financing infrastructure where it is most needed and incentivising the collection of plastic waste. Anyone can purchase plastic credits to offset their plastic footprint, including governments, philanthropies, individuals, and companies.
Verra is a nonprofit that runs one of the world's biggest plastic crediting programs. Verra's Plastic Waste Reduction Program (Plastic Program) issues Waste Collection Credits and Waste Recycling Credits, collectively known as Plastic Credits. These credits enable companies to invest in projects that manage the types of plastic specific to their plastic footprint and in their key production regions. The credits include a serial number indicating the unit's polymer type, activity location, and end destination.
Plastic credits can also support the advancement of waste management priorities of regional mechanisms and global policy instruments. They are an innovative finance mechanism that allows companies to make downstream investments in new or expanded plastic waste collection and recycling infrastructure, particularly in geographies that are disproportionately impacted by plastic pollution.
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Brands are increasingly conscious of their responsibility to the planet
As a result, companies are allocating more time, attention, and resources to environmental and social responsibility in their business practices. They are recognising that sustainability is not just a moral imperative but also makes good business sense. By embracing sustainability, companies can gain a competitive advantage, build brand credibility and trust, and foster emotional connections with their customers.
To meet consumer demand for sustainability, brands are taking various approaches. Some are reducing their plastic use and incorporating recycled materials into their packaging, as seen with Pley Beauty™. Others are partnering with organisations like rePurpose Global, Plastic Collective, and Plastic Bank to achieve "Plastic Neutral" or "Plastic Negative" certifications. These certifications involve measuring, reducing, and balancing a company's plastic footprint by funding plastic recovery and recycling infrastructure projects.
Additionally, the concept of plastic neutrality is gaining traction. Plastic neutrality means that while plastic is still used in a product or packaging, an equal amount of plastic waste is removed from the environment. This approach is particularly appealing to brands that haven't found viable alternatives to plastic packaging, such as those in the personal care, food, and beverage sectors. Plastic credits and the emerging market for them further support organisations in their journey towards plastic neutrality.
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Plastic neutrality is different from being plastic-free
Plastic neutrality and being plastic-free are two different concepts. Being plastic-free implies that a company does not use plastic in its products or business operations. However, this is not always a feasible option, especially for products containing liquids or moisture. For instance, sectors such as personal care, food and beverages rely heavily on plastic packaging due to the lack of viable non-plastic alternatives.
Plastic neutrality, on the other hand, means that plastic is still being used in products or packaging, but an equal amount of plastic waste is being removed from the environment for every product produced or sold. In other words, it incentivizes the collection and recovery of nature-bound plastic, particularly ocean-bound plastic waste. This is achieved through plastic credits, which finance the development of infrastructure for collecting, recycling, and recovering plastic waste.
The market for plastic credits is emerging, inspired by carbon credits and carbon neutrality. Plastic credits contribute to reducing plastic pollution by funding the collection of plastic waste, driving a circular economy, and increasing the recovery and recycling rates of various plastics.
Individuals and organizations can purchase plastic credits to sponsor the recycling of plastic waste, thus reducing their plastic footprint. This is a more realistic approach than going completely plastic-free, as it allows consumers to offset their plastic consumption when plastic-free products are not available.
While plastic neutrality is a step in the right direction, it is not a perfect solution to the plastic problem. It is important to continue exploring new technologies and materials that are kinder to the planet without compromising quality.
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Plastic neutrality incentivises the collection and recovery of nature-bound plastic
Plastic neutrality is a concept that is gaining traction among environmentally conscious brands that have not found viable alternatives to plastic packaging. It refers to the idea that for every unit of plastic created, an equivalent amount of plastic waste is removed from the environment through recycling or waste management efforts. This is different from being "plastic-free", which implies that a company does not use any plastic in its products or operations.
For example, rePurpose Global, a pending B-corporation, co-designs and finances supply chain interventions in collaboration with vetted recycling projects worldwide. They offer 'Plastic Neutral' and 'Plastic Negative' certifications to companies that fund the removal of nature-bound plastic. One such company is Karma Water, which has partnered with rePurpose Global to remove over 2.5 million pounds of ocean-bound plastic by 2028.
Plastic neutrality can also be achieved through plastic credits, which contribute to the reduction of plastic pollution by financing infrastructure and incentivising the collection of plastic waste. Plastic credits have gained currency in sustainability circles as a leading circular economy innovation. Anyone can purchase plastic credits to fund plastic recovery and neutralise their personal plastic footprint for a defined period.
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Frequently asked questions
Being plastic neutral means that for every amount of plastic created, an equal amount of plastic waste is recovered and removed from the environment.
A company must first measure its plastic footprint. Then, it must reduce its plastic use and commit to further reductions. Finally, it must balance its plastic footprint by funding action that recovers as much additional plastic as is being used.
Plastic neutrality means that plastic is still being used in product or packaging, whereas a plastic-free product is 100% free of plastics — none in the product, none in the packaging.
Individuals can reduce plastic waste by finding reusable or refillable alternatives to single-use plastic products. They can also switch to plastic-free packaging or products.
There are many projects set up around the world to collect and recover nature-bound (particularly ocean-bound) plastic. For example, rePurpose Global has projects in Kenya, India, Indonesia, Ghana, Colombia, and the Dominican Republic that are creating systemic change through recovering plastic waste.
