The PPRS is designed to encourage individuals and businesses to refrain from the use of or to take responsibility for their own Plastic Footprint. PCX provides options for individuals and businesses to participate while maintaining a high degree of accountability and transparency.
For businesses, the state of being Plastic-Free/Neutral/Negative may be achieved at different levels of an Offset Partner’s operations – at a product level, at a brand level or at the level of the entire company or event.
Product. This is achieved when the plastic footprint that corresponds to all products under a specific product category or sub-range within a company’s portfolio has been matched with equivalent Plastic Credits, bringing the plastic footprint to at least net zero for a defined period.
Brand. This is achieved when the plastic footprint that corresponds to all products under a specific Brand has been matched with equivalent Plastic Credits, bringing the plastic footprint to at least net zero for a defined period.
Company. This is achieved when the plastic footprint that corresponds to all parts of the company’s operations, including the plastic inputs for producing the products and services, logistics, advertising, promotion and selling, as well as general administrative activities of a company has been matched with equivalent Plastic Credits, bringing the plastic footprint to at least net zero for a defined period.
Event. This is achieved when the plastic footprint that corresponds to all activities under a specific event (including preparations and clean-up) has been matched with equivalent Plastic Credits, bringing the plastic footprint to at least net zero for the event’s defined period.
Companies seeking any kind of Certification shall undertake the following process:
1.Define Scope. The state of being Plastic-Free/Neutral/Negative may be achieved at different levels in an Offset Partner’s operations. It is critical that a good baseline measurement is achieved, and the first step is to define the coverage of the operations that will be matched with corresponding Credits. In addition to the level of operations, the Offset Partner must specify the coverage period where the plastic footprint will be calculated from documentation and other pertinent records. The entity applying for Certification must be clearly defined by name with a description of relevant legal and/or geographical boundaries.
In the Plastic Footprint Calculator, PCX provides guidance on accounting for the full life cycle assessment of recycled materials.
Thus, the following calculations shall be applied with the succeeding requirements for Certifications:
For Brands: Retain minimum of 10% of Recycled Packaging due for plastic offsetting
For Manufacturers: Base the Plastic Footprint on raw material inputs
For more information, please refer to PCX Guidance Note 02 PET Recycling Material Analysis for Plastic Credit Treatment.
2. Measure and Verify Plastic Footprint. Once the Offset Partner has defined the scope of its desired level of Plastic-Free/Neutral/Negative Certification, the Partner assesses its plastic waste impact or plastic footprint. PCX facilitates the computation and assessment, by assisting the organization with the Plastic Footprint Calculator and helps the organization submit its computed Plastic Footprint to a third-party assessor for auditing. The Offset Partner may opt to use other Plastic Footprint Calculation methods (such as EPR Toolkit and the WWF ReSource kit) as long as the minimum requirements of the PCX Plastic Footprint Calculation. The Offset Partner must prepare and gather data needed, and calculate the company, brand, or product’s total Plastic Footprint, defined as all the plastic purchased along the value chain starting upon ownership and receipt of raw materials up until use of product or service by consumers in its intended purpose. The Offset Partner must contract an independent auditor approved by PCX and this assessment partner should understand the full set of data that will be included in its assessment. As their calculation of the plastic footprint underpins the qualification for Plastic-Free/Neutral/Negative Certification, the Offset Partner must provide PCX with a true and certified copy of this audit document.
3. Secure Plastic Credits (For Plastic Neutral and Plastic Negative Certification only). An Offset Partner covering Product, Brand or Company commits to cover its plastic footprint for a period of three (3) consecutive years.
The Offset Partner may specify any month as the start of the defined period. The Plastic Offsetting commitment (as part of the Offset Partner’s comprehensive solutions including reduction and recycling) should be based on:
a. Year 1: Actual Plastic Footprint for the past year
b. Year 2: Plastic Footprint the current year
c. Year 3: Plastic Footprint forecasted for the succeeding year
For Offset Partners for Event, the Plastic Credits shall correspond to the total Plastic Footprint including preparation and post-event activities. The Plastic Neutral or Plastic Negative Certification shall only be released once the actual Plastic Footprint has been verified.
The purchased Plastic Credits and supporting documentation shall be published on the blockchain ledger. Re-assessment and verification of the Plastic Footprint will have to be conducted by the Offset Partner every year.
Plastic-Free Partners do not need to secure Plastic Credits but shall submit an audit certification that the Plastic Footprint based on the defined scope and period is zero. Procedures for verification and monitoring shall be agreed by PCX and the Applicant.
4. Communicate. When an entity qualifies as an official Plastic-Free/Neutral/Negative Certified partner, it is granted rights to the use of the Plastic-Free/Neutral/Negative Certified badge, to signify its action and commitment in its packaging and marketing communications. PCX provides the assets and guidance for applying the Plastic-Free/Neutral/Negative Certified Badge in its packaging and communications. All communications relating to one's Plastic-Free/Neutral/Negative Certification status must be factually based, clear, and transparent. All Plastic-Free/Neutral/Negative Certified partners must publicly disclose their plastic footprint assessments, offsets and other related initiatives on reduction and recycling relating to their Plastic-Free/Neutral/Negative certification on blockchain ledger. The use of the Plastic-Free/Neutral/Negative badge must conform to the usage terms laid out on Appendix 02. It is the Offset Partner’s responsibility to ensure that their claims are compliant with any local guidelines.
An Offset Partner’s Plastic-Free/Neutral/Negative status begins when they are awarded the Plastic-Free/Neutral/Negative Certificate by PCX. Failure to comply with the PPRS and agreements with PCX may result in suspension or termination of the Offset Partner’s Plastic-Free/Neutral/Negative status and the corresponding legal remedies will apply.
PCX encourages all businesses to achieve a Plastic-Free/Neutral/Negative certification and as such, devises ways for businesses across all sizes to participate in the process with the necessary rigor, accountability, and transparency. Specific guidelines for each type of business are provided in Appendix 03.1 and Appendix 03.2.