Verra Plastic Waste Reduction Standard

How to Generate Plastic Credits

Steps to verifying plastic waste collection and/or recycling towards issuance of plastic credits can be categorized into the following three phases:

Phase 1: Project Feasibility

Plastic Program documents are reviewed to determine whether the project meets basic eligibility requirements. There is a high-level evaluation that the project meets legal requirements, has proper ownership rights, and would generate plastic waste reductions in line with all rules and requirements in the Plastic Standard.

Phase 2: Project Development

This phase involves developing the project design and activities involved with the implementation of the plastic waste collection and/or recycling project.  For both the project design and implementation, documentation is required to demonstrate how the project meets all of the rules and requirements of the Plastic Standard and the applicable collection and/or recycling methodologies.

Since the requirements in the Plastic Standard and the methodologies are highly technical in nature, many project proponents may find it beneficial to work with the SCS Consulting team who have ample experience helping with the project registration process, rule interpretation, and document preparation prior to the validation and verification by the SCS verification team. Note that the SCS Consulting team works independently from the SCS verification team, and working with the consulting team is not a requirement, as project proponents are free to work independently and ask Verra questions on their phase 1 and 2 processes for interpretation of the rules and requirements.

Phase 3: Project Validation and Verification

Once your project documentation is complete, an accredited third-party verifier like the SCS Verification team is brought in to ensure that the project (and associated documentation) meets the requirements of the Plastic Standard. This is done through a desk review and a site visit.

During each phase of the process, we will let you know if there are any areas where the project does not meet the requirements, and you are provided with an opportunity to correct them. Should these issues be resolved, we will issue a report that will be available for the Plastic Program to review, and issue plastic credits.

Why seek Plastic Waste Reduction Verification?

• Gain Revenue – Trade your plastic credits and get rewarded financially
• Reduce Risk – Assure funders and buyers of plastic credits that your projects are making real reduction of plastic waste
• Improve Brand Reputation – Stand out amongst competitors with a focus on reducing plastic
• Meet ESG Commitments – Contribute to Net Zero Plastic declarations from you or your customers
• Use a Verified Claim – Obtain the Verified Plastic Reduction Standard logo to substantiate your claim
• Learn Operational Efficiencies – Gain best practices for your operations by following the Standard

Why verify with SCS?

• Exceptional Customer Support: Receive timely, expert, and professional service throughout the verification process
• Team of quality auditors – Leverage our over 15+ years of technical expertise in offset verification towards assessing your plastic waste reduction project  
• Highly engaged in the industry – Utilize SCS as a resource, as we helped develop the Plastic Standard and are on the Verra Advisory Board
• Leverage sustainability knowledge – Collaborate with SCS' many other sustainability programs related to plastics and other waste

Q. What is the difference between plastic waste reduction validation and plastic waste reduction verification?
Validation is the process of evaluating the design of a project's plan for plastic waste collection and/or recycling. Verification is the process of evaluating calculations of the actual amount of plastic collected and/or recycled through the implementation of the project.

Q. How long will the plastic offset verification process take?
A typical verification takes 3-6 months. The length of verification depends on the size and complexity of the project, the standards used, and the project type. The duration is also affected by how well the project developer is prepared and on response time to findings.

Q. To which standards does SCS verify plastic waste reductions?
SCS can verify plastic offset projects to the Plastic Waste Reduction Standard by Verra. For carbon offset projects, SCS verifies to the Verified Carbon Standard (VCS), Climate Action Reserve (CAR), or the American Carbon Registry (ACR); SCS can also verify projects being developed in the US to the California Air Resource Board (ARB) Compliance Offset Protocols (COPs). Carbon offset projects with exemplary social and environmental components may be verified to the Climate, Community and Biodiversity Standards (CCBS) or the Sustainable Development Verified Impact Standard (SD VISta).

Q. How much does Plastic Offset Validation or Verification cost?
Cost depends on factors such as project size, location, complexity, type, and level of preparedness. Contact SCS for a customized quote.

Q. How do I know when my plastic offset project is ready for validation and verification?
Projects can be validated and verified once they have a completed Project Design Document (PDD) that complies with the relevant Standard. SCS often recommends conducting an internal audit to make sure the document is complete and to save time down the road.

Q. Can SCS help me prepare for my audit?
The SCS Consulting team, which works independently from the SCS verification team, can help prepare you for the audit.

Q. Does SCS help project developers sell offsets or credits?
No, we do not participate in the buying and selling of credits.