Ethan Clarke
Certified plastic neutral means that a company is recovering as much plastic as it uses in its product packaging, neutralizing its impact on the environment. Companies that are certified plastic neutral work with organizations like rePurpose Global, which collects plastic waste in areas of the world where it's a major environmental issue. For every pound of plastic that a company uses, rePurpose Global removes an equivalent amount of additional, verified plastic waste from the environment. This is achieved by funding projects that remove plastic from the environment, such as cleaning plastic off beaches in India or setting up recycling facilities in Kenya.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Definition | Being plastic neutral means that for every amount of plastic created, a measured equivalent of plastic waste is recovered and removed from the environment. |
| Not the same as plastic-free | Being plastic neutral is not the same as being ‘plastic free’, which implies that a company does not use any plastic in its products or business operations. |
| Example of a certifying body | rePurpose Global |
| Example of a certified company | Natalist, Thrive Market, Pacifica Beauty |
| Example of a project | Project Hara Kal, Project Ekonomia ya Bluu, Project Sueño Azul |
| Example of a pledge | Plastic Neutral, Plastic Positive, Plastic Awesome |
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What You'll Learn
Plastic credits and their role in achieving neutrality
Plastic neutrality means that for every amount of plastic created, an equal amount of plastic waste is removed from the environment. This is achieved through recycling and waste management efforts or plastic offset credits.
Plastic credits are a tool that companies can use to achieve neutrality. They are a form of investment that provides funding for waste collection and recycling infrastructure, particularly in regions that are disproportionately affected by plastic pollution. For example, Project Hara Kal in India involves a team of 361 workers dedicated to cleaning plastic off the beaches of Malappuram, thereby protecting the region's tea, coffee, and spice plantations, as well as its abundant wildlife.
The credits are typically sold by unregulated businesses and nonprofits, and each credit represents a certain amount of plastic waste that has been removed from the environment. For instance, a plastic credit could be valued at one metric ton of plastic waste. This gives an artificial value high enough to incentivize entrepreneurs to collect and recycle plastic waste.
However, critics argue that the current system of plastic credits is flawed. There is no global standard for what one credit equates to, and the bodies that decide the value are often the ones issuing the credits. This lack of regulation could potentially lead to greenwashing, as companies may claim to be "plastic neutral" without significantly reducing plastic in their supply chains. Additionally, not all plastics are created equal, and some forms of plastic are more harmful to the environment and more difficult to recycle than others. Plastic credits may ignore these differences, using the collection of less harmful plastics to ostensibly neutralize the impact of more dangerous ones.
Therefore, plastic credits should be used as a complementary solution rather than a standalone tool. Companies should not rely solely on credits to achieve neutrality but should also implement internal plastic reduction and redesign strategies. By combining upstream solutions like plastic reduction with downstream solutions like investing in plastic credits, companies can effectively address plastic pollution and achieve their plastic stewardship goals.
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How to get certified as a brand
Plastic neutrality is a concept that involves measuring, reducing, and offsetting a company's plastic footprint. It enables companies to assess their plastic emissions, set up an incentive structure that rewards future footprint reductions, and take action by financing the removal of as much nature-bound plastic waste as their supply chains create.
Becoming a certified plastic-neutral brand can help companies address the growing concerns of their customers, showcase their sustainability commitments, and differentiate themselves from their competitors. It also enables companies to target eco-conscious consumers and provides a straightforward path toward climate action.
- Measure Plastic Footprint: Work with sustainability experts to calculate and measure the unique plastic footprint of your brand, including packaging and supply chains. This involves gathering data related to plastic usage, such as product specifications and sales statistics.
- Offset Plastic Usage: Partner with plastic credit organizations like rePurpose Global or Plastic Bank. These organizations collect and recycle plastic waste, particularly in areas where plastic pollution is a significant environmental issue, such as developing Asian and African nations. For every pound of plastic your brand uses, these organizations will remove an equivalent amount of additional, verified plastic waste from the environment.
- Fund Plastic Removal Projects: Use the purchased plastic credits to fund vetted projects that remove plastic waste from nature, ensuring that at least as much plastic waste is removed as your company creates.
- Reduce Virgin Plastic Use: Work with your plastic credit partner to develop strategies and implement tools to reduce the use of virgin plastic across your supply chain. This may include exploring alternative packaging options or recycling initiatives.
- Marketing and Communication: Once your brand has achieved plastic neutrality certification, communicate this achievement to your customers and stakeholders. Use your marketing channels to showcase your sustainability commitments and differentiate your brand. You can also include the certification in your ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) reporting and employer branding.
While becoming plastic neutral has its benefits, it is important to acknowledge the limitations and potential criticisms. Some critics argue that plastic neutrality does not address the root cause of the plastic crisis and allows companies to continue their current business practices without making significant changes. Therefore, it is crucial for brands to view plastic neutrality as one part of a multifaceted approach to tackling the plastic pollution crisis and to continuously strive for more sustainable practices.
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The role of organisations like rePurpose Global
Organisations like rePurpose Global are crucial in the fight against plastic pollution. They play a pivotal role in helping companies and individuals become plastic neutral and take responsibility for their plastic footprint. rePurpose Global, a pending B-corporation, co-designs and finances supply chain interventions in collaboration with vetted recycling projects worldwide.
One of the key roles of rePurpose Global is to assess plastic footprints. They help businesses calculate their plastic footprint by measuring the amount and type of plastic used in products and packaging and multiplying that by the number of units sold. This allows companies to understand their contribution, track their progress, and take meaningful action to reduce plastic waste. rePurpose Global also provides a robust tracking and verification tool for end-to-end traceability and transparency.
Additionally, rePurpose Global enables companies to become plastic neutral by funding the recycling of an equivalent amount of plastic waste they produce. They work with brands to gather and measure data related to their plastic use, including packaging and shipping materials. For every pound of plastic used, rePurpose Global suggests projects that remove the same amount of ocean-bound or nature-bound plastic.
RePurpose Global has implemented several successful projects to combat plastic pollution. For example, Project Hara Kal in India involves a team dedicated to cleaning plastic off beaches, protecting the region's wildlife and plantations. Project Ekonomia ya Bluu in Kenya helps establish recycling facilities to restore the ecosystem by recovering plastic from beaches. rePurpose Global also works with companies like Burt's Bees, Grove, and Karma Water to fund the removal of ocean-bound plastic through their projects.
Through their efforts, rePurpose Global has been recognised by Forbes and the United Nations Environment Programme as a leader in driving change and innovation in the fight against plastic pollution. They bring together brands, consumers, innovators, and policymakers to address the plastic waste crisis and create a cleaner planet.
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How is it different from being 'plastic-free'
Being plastic neutral means that for every amount of plastic created, a measured equivalent of plastic waste is recovered and removed from the environment by an individual or company through recycling/waste management efforts or plastic offset credits. For instance, a company might partner with an organisation that funds plastic waste collection and recycling enterprises in vulnerable communities. This allows the company to offset its plastic footprint and claim to be plastic neutral.
Being plastic-free, on the other hand, implies that a company does not use any plastic in its products or business operations. This means that a product is 100% free of plastics—none in the product, none in the packaging.
While going plastic-free is ideal, it is not always realistic. Shopping from plastic neutral companies is a way to offset the impact of your plastic consumption when plastic-free products are not available.
It is important to note that going plastic neutral does not solve the plastic problem. However, it is a step in the right direction. Companies can also take other steps to improve sustainability, such as exploring new technologies and materials that are more environmentally friendly.
Additionally, individuals can contribute to the effort by reducing their plastic footprint in everyday life. This includes using canvas shopping bags, reusable straws, and purchasing items made with recycled materials or plastic-free alternatives.
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Critics' views on plastic neutrality
Critics of plastic neutrality argue that it is a form of greenwashing, where companies offset their plastic footprint without fundamentally reducing plastic waste. They believe that the concept of "offsetting" new plastic production perpetuates a cycle that continually adds to the ever-growing amount of plastic on the planet. Environmentalists are skeptical about the effectiveness of these programs and question whether they encourage waste in wealthy countries while exporting guilt to the developing world. The lack of regulation and third-party verification in the plastic credit market, similar to issues in the carbon credit market, has led to concerns about deceptive marketing and the need for consumers to vet environmental claims.
Some critics argue that the idea of taking corporate money to fund clean-up projects and develop recycling methods is not inherently bad, but the focus should be on reducing plastic waste rather than justifying the creation of new plastic. They advocate for a plastic-free world instead of a plastic-neutral planet. Others point out that plastic neutrality may be a necessary step towards sustainability for companies that cannot immediately transition away from plastic due to the prevalence of plastics in their operations.
The sudden transition to plastic neutrality can be overwhelming for companies, and critics argue that it should not be used as an end goal but rather as part of a multifaceted approach to the plastic pollution crisis. They emphasize the need for a more structured system and thoroughly vetted plastic credit schemes to ensure the elimination of plastic waste. Critics also highlight the issue of social inequality, where the burden of dealing with plastic waste is offloaded to poorer sections of society and informal waste workers without recognition or access to basic services.
While plastic neutrality is gaining traction as a potential solution to the urgent need for reducing plastic pollution, critics emphasize the importance of treating it as a step towards sustainability rather than a final solution. They advocate for a comprehensive approach that includes plastic neutrality, the development of new technologies and materials, and collaboration between industries, scientists, NGOs, policymakers, and citizens to address the complex socio-economic and environmental challenges posed by plastic pollution.
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Frequently asked questions
Plastic neutrality means that a company is recovering as much plastic as it uses in its product packaging, neutralizing its impact on the environment.
Certified plastic neutral means that a company has been verified to recover as much plastic as it uses in its product packaging. This verification is done by organizations like rePurpose Global and Plastic Collective.
To become certified plastic neutral, a company must first calculate its plastic footprint by measuring the amount and type of plastic used in its products and packaging and multiplying that by the number of units sold. Then, the company must fund projects that recover and recycle an equivalent amount of plastic waste from the environment. Finally, the company must be audited by a third party to verify its plastic neutrality claims.
Some examples of companies that are certified plastic neutral include Natalist, Thrive Market, and Pacifica Beauty. These companies have partnered with rePurpose Global to recover and recycle plastic waste from the environment, equivalent to the amount of plastic they use in their products and packaging.
