ROYERSFORD, PA – GreenCircle Certified, LLC announced today the official achievement of becoming an Association of Plastics Recyclers (APR) Endorsed Certifier for Post-Consumer Resins (PCR)! GreenCircle was established in 2009 to ensure specificity in third-party certification after encountering many unsubstantiated claims in the marketplace.

Today, the laws of supply and demand are playing out in different ways. More brand owners and retailers have made commitments to incorporate recycled content in their products than there is sufficient supply to meet. The marketplace is full of products with recycled content claims, but PCR bears the highest risk for fraudulent claims. Only 9 percent of discarded plastics are actually being recycled globally, which means the commitments to incorporate recycled content in products exceed the actual supply of PCR. Third-party certification of recycled content, especially PCR, ensures the materials being certified are truly recycled content.

These greenwashing claims have allowed companies to sell manufacturers “recycled content” that is not, in fact, recycled. It has become increasingly difficult for companies seeking PCR to be certain that they are buying genuine post-consumer material. False claims amplify risk to all participants in the recycling market, especially buyers' confidence in recycled content claims.

APR and GreenCircle recognize that it is essential that certification of PCR be viewed as reliable, consistent, and accessible by both producers and users of recycled plastic resins. GreenCircle’s mission is to eliminate these greenwashing claims from the marketplace, and effectively turn companies into brands consumers can trust.

The Recycled Content certification was the first standard developed by GreenCircle and has been used as a reference for a wide range of industry organizations, including APR. GreenCircle has completed over 200 Recycled Content certifications and re-certifications ranging from plastic resin to PCR lumber to metal and door hardware.

GreenCircle conducts a detailed evaluation of the product and manufacturing operations, to verify and certify recycled content claims on a per plant, per product basis. GreenCircle verifies sources of recycled materials and distinguishes recycled content by pre- and post-consumer content within the supply chain.

Manufacturers, suppliers, regulators, retailers, and consumers can be assured that products labeled with the GreenCircle Certified mark have been thoroughly assessed and their claims verified to applicable standards.

Our Recycled Content guidelines meet the ISO 14021 definition for pre- and post-consumer recycled content. Our certification system and Recycled Content guidelines have been reviewed and accepted by numerous organizations including, the U.S. EPA Ecolabel program which was created to "effectively identify and procure environmentally sustainable products and services."

“GreenCircle Certified is excited to be an endorsed certifier for post-consumer plastic resins by the Association of Plastic Recyclers!” says Tad Radzinski, Certification Officer at GreenCircle Certified. “Our proven process for recycled content verification and certification is rigorous and transparent, assuring stakeholders that the claim can be trusted. Every company that is certified by GreenCircle is a brand you can trust.”

ABOUT GREENCIRCLE CERTIFIED

GreenCircle Certified, LLC is an internationally recognized third-party certification entity whose thorough evaluation process provides independent verification that sustainability claims related to an organization's products and operations are honest, valid, and verified. GreenCircle is ISO 17065 compliant, following industry requirements for bodies certifying products, processes, and services; and is recognized by both the United States Green Building Council (USGBC) and the International Living Future Institute (ILFI) as a valid third-party certification entity. In today's discerning market, third-party certification is a valuable asset in establishing brand integrity and developing consumer confidence. For more information visit http://www.greencirclecertified.com/.

ABOUT APR

The Association of Plastic Recyclers is the national trade association representing companies who acquire, reprocess and sell the output of more than 90 percent of the post-consumer plastic processing capacity in North America. Its membership includes independent recycling companies of all sizes, processing numerous resins. APR strongly advocates the recycling of all post-consumer plastic packaging.

MEDIA CONTACT

Julianna Radzinski, Marketing Coordinator
GreenCircle Certified, LLC
julianna@GreenCircleCertified.com