— By Plasteurope.com correspondent — 

European plastics recovery audit scheme RecyClass (Brussels; www.recyclass.eu) has claimed its recycling certification scheme is now the benchmark for companies seeking to certify their recycling processes, reporting that the programme covers nearly two-thirds (60%) of Europe’s installed plastics recycling capacity.

RecyClass said the scheme is now the largest of its kind in Europe, adding that its continued growth demonstrates that the organisation’s efforts to drive plastics circularity are delivering “a real impact”.

Launched in 2022, the Recycling Process Certification programme was created as the first step towards ensuring the origin of recycled plastics, according to RecyClass chairperson Paolo Glerean.

The scheme sets out requirements for plastics traceability, quality management, recycled content calculation, and environmental performance. Additional standards apply to processes involving food contact, cosmetics, household applications, and corporate social responsibility.

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Achieving certification, RecyClass said, “allows recyclers to demonstrate the traceability of plastics recycling and transparently communicate the origin of the waste…represents the point of origin for the chain of custody of recycled plastics [and] provides trust to all plastics value chain actors for a continuous increase in the use of recycled plastics”.

In 2024, the share of European installed recycling capacity certified at the stream level reached 58% for HDPE/PP, 62% for ELV-WEEE, 70% for LDPE, and 75% for PET, the organisation reported.

“These figures underscore the plastics recycling industry’s commitment to operating under verified and reliable recycling standards, thereby providing the value chain with high-quality recycled materials,” it added.