Over half of the total EU plastics recycling capacity certified with EuCertPlast
The certification verifies plastic waste traceability, conformity assessment, and calculation of recycled content in a recycling process
With the release of the record number of 4.6 million tons, the EuCertPlast certification was granted to more than half of the total EU recycling capacity covering both pre- and post-consumer streams. The scheme grew by 27% in comparison to 2019, and with 45 new recycling facilities, there are now 214 companies certified by EuCertPlast, demonstrating its wide recognition in the plastics industry.
The leader, with a share of 30% of the EuCertPlast certified facilities, is Germany. Italy with the 12% share is in the second place, followed closely by the Netherlands and France, having respectively 11% and 10% share of the certified capacity. Additionally, low-density polyethylene (LDPE) and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) are the most widely certified polymers representing almost half of the total capacity.
Despite the pandemic, which affected the ability of the auditors to travel to recyclers’ facilities, EuCertPlast certified companies grew substantially in the course of 2020. The positive trend of a steady increase of certifications shows the increasing demand for third-party verification of the origin of waste and recycled content calculation, and consequently the growth and the maturing of the plastic recycling market in Europe. By promoting transparency and highest standards, the EuCertPlast certification contributes, as well, to the Circular Plastics Alliance’s objective to increase the uptake of recycled materials to 10 million tonnes by 2025.
