Transparently documenting the use of recycled content
The European Packaging Regulation (PPWR) sets out mandatory recycled content targets for plastic packaging from 2030 onwards. With the CRC system, we have developed a transparent and auditable clearing model that prepares companies for these requirements.
Recyclate crisis: High-quality materials are becoming scarce.
By 2030, companies will have to increase their use of post-consumer recyclate fivefold. The market is already under pressure: High-quality recyclate is increasingly becoming a bottleneck – also due to the growing demand from other industries.
Experts predict a recyclate shortage of up to 3.5 million tonnes in Europe (Conversio 2024)
Lack of quality in recyclates: A problem with consequences
Although the recycling rate in private final consumption in Germany is 67%, only 7% of high-quality post-consumer recyclates (PCR) are reused (Conversio 2024).
It is clear that the focus is on quantity rather than quality.
Is this a threat? Marketing bans could shake the industry
Packaging that does not fulfil the legal requirements faces marketing bans. Medium-sized companies are particularly affected, as they are either unable to obtain the required recyclate qualities on the open market or can only do so at significantly less favourable conditions.
Technical difficulties
Mechanically recycled polyolefins suffer from extreme fluctuations in quality – from a strong odour and dark colour to the formation of specks. This inconsistency makes industrial processing on modern packaging machines impossible.
Do you place plastic packaging on the market where, for technical or regulatory reasons, the required use of recycled materials is currently only possible to a limited extent?
If so, you can take part – get involved now!
How to conserve resources and save CO2!
Become part of the circular economy for plastics
Do you place plastic packaging on the market where, for technical or regulatory reasons, the required use of recycled materials is currently only possible to a limited extent?
Then check now whether you are part of the CRC system.
We promote the use of high-quality post-consumer recycled materials throughout the entire value chain and provide companies with a transparent, audit-backed tool for documenting the use of recycled materials.
To this end, CRC brings together companies across the value chain – from brand owners with high-quality, recyclable packaging to manufacturers of durable plastic products with a high proportion of recycled content. The aim is to link high-quality material streams across sectors and to create market-based incentives for a functioning circular economy.
A verification system supported by digital documentation and independent audits ensures transparency regarding the documented quantities of recycled content and supports the further development of the market for high-quality recycled materials.
We support the goals of the UN
Certified Recycled Content (CRC) GmbH, in collaboration with the Wuppertal Institute, is developing a digital platform that enables the trading of recycled material certificates. Supported by extensive preparatory work and interdisciplinary expertise from industry and research, the platform aims to establish transparent standards and make the origin and use of recycled materials traceable. The project is funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).
Project Goals:
Promotion of recycled material usage
Reduction of costs for businesses
Reduction of CO₂ emissions
With the support of the ERDF and the expertise of the Wuppertal Institute, we are creating a platform that not only promotes the use of high-quality recycled plastics but also ushers in a new era for the recycling industry.
Work Steps of the ERDF-Funded Project:
-
Platform Development:
Prototype with at least 100 companies, focusing on transparency, data security, and adaptability for additional material flows. -
Potential Analysis:
Assessing available quantities and evaluating environmental impact. -
External Review of the Certificate Trading Platform:
Preventing misuse, ensuring transparency, and avoiding greenwashing. -
Scientific Utilization and Transfer:
Publications, master’s theses, and workshops to disseminate results and explore transferability to other certification systems.
Together for a Sustainable Future
By linking the seller’s use of post-consumer recycled materials with the buyer’s placing on the market of high-quality, recyclable plastic packaging, the CRC system aims to create market-based incentives and support the objectives of the European Packaging Regulation (PPWR).
The increased use of high-quality post-consumer recycled materials can replace primary fossil raw materials and thereby – depending on the specific polymer, recycling process and the underlying accounting assumptions – contribute to a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions.
Depending on the material and system boundaries, replacing 1 kg of virgin fossil-based material with 1 kg of post-consumer recycled material can avoid greenhouse gas emissions in the order of approximately 1.5 to 2.5 kg of CO₂ equivalents.*
*The actual savings depend on the material, the recycling process and the underlying accounting assumptions.
The sale of CRC tokens creates additional revenue opportunities for companies that use high-quality post-consumer recycled materials beyond their legal obligations. This can generate market-based incentives for increased use of recycled materials and support investment in recycling capacity.
The CRC aims to boost demand for high-quality recycled materials and thereby contribute to a more stable development of the sales market. Additional revenue opportunities can also improve the economic viability of using recycled materials and reduce dependence on short-term price fluctuations in primary fossil raw materials.
To participate as a buyer in the CRC system, packaging must meet defined requirements regarding recyclability. The aim is high-quality material recovery for applications that replace virgin materials. By this, CRC means a recycling process in which the recovered recyclates are suitable for applications involving the respective polymer type that replace virgin materials.By this, CRC means a recycling process in which the resulting recycled materials are suitable for applications in which they replace virgin material of the respective polymer type.
As CRC tokens are generated exclusively on the basis of high-quality post-consumer recyclates that are actually used in addition to virgin material, rising demand for tokens can create incentives to increase the corresponding volumes of recyclates. At the same time, economic incentives are created to consistently design packaging to be suitable for recycling and to further improve its recyclability.
Higher-quality recycling streams can broaden the range of applications for high-quality recycled materials and thus support the development of additional markets.
Trading in CRC tokens is restricted exclusively to quantities of plastic comprising the polymers PP, PO, PS, LDPE, HDPE and PET, the use of which is verified in terms of quantity and polymer identity in accordance with the CRC system’s specifications.
The relevant volume and material flow records are validated by accredited, independent auditors in accordance with defined audit criteria. This supports the traceable documentation of the recycled material volumes on which the CRC system is based.
Participation in the CRC scheme requires that packaging meets defined recyclability requirements and is assessed in accordance with recognised evaluation standards. Certification is renewed annually.
Regulatory and technical developments are regularly incorporated into the certification criteria. In this way, CRC supports the continuous development of packaging solutions suitable for recycling in line with the ‘Design for Recycling’ principle.
The principle is simple: companies that use post-consumer recycled materials (PCR) in high-quality applications beyond their legal obligations can generate the relevant CRC tokens following a successful audit in accordance with the CRC system rules.
These CRC tokens can be purchased by manufacturers or distributors of plastic packaging who are currently unable to fully meet the required use of recycled content in physical terms due to technical or regulatory constraints. The use of CRC tokens is governed by the applicable regulatory requirements.
A prerequisite for the purchase of CRC tokens is that the packaging in question meets the CRC system’s requirements for high-quality material recovery.
CRC tokens may only be purchased for quantities of plastic comprising the polymers PP, PO, PS, LDPE, HDPE and PET. In doing so, the polymer identity is maintained between the verified recycled content and the respective packaging.
The PCR quantities used as the basis for generating CRC tokens must not be used by the seller at the same time to fulfil their own statutory recycling obligations. This prevents double counting and enables the documented quantities of recycled material to be clearly allocated within the CRC system.
Buyers of CRC tokens:
Brand owners and distributors of plastic packaging who are currently unable to fully meet the required use of recycled materials due to technical or regulatory constraints may participate in the CRC system, subject to the eligibility criteria.
In doing so, they contribute to promoting a functioning circular economy. A prerequisite is proof that their packaging meets the CRC system’s requirements for high-quality material recovery.
Credit provider:
CRC -Credits can be generated by companies that use high-quality post-consumer recycled materials beyond their legal obligations. The sale of CRC tokens opens up additional revenue opportunities and can improve the economic viability of using recycled materials, as well as creating incentives for the further expansion of high-quality recycling streams.
The underlying volume and material flow records are audited and validated by independent auditors in accordance with the CRC system’s specifications. The traceability of material flows is based on the volume flow records of the dual systems and the respective audits.
The use for high-value applications is ensured by certified auditors. The material flow from post-consumer packaging via sorting, recyclers to converters and from there to high-quality applications is thus precisely verified via the volume flow verification of the Dual Systems and the respective auditors.
Requirements and obligations for the purchase/sale
Advantages of the CRC system
The CRC system is designed to support the following objectives:
Promoting the conservation of resources
Contributing to a reduction in the use of primary fossil raw materials and the associated greenhouse gas emissions
Supporting the increased use of high-quality post-consumer recycled materials
Strengthening high-quality recycling and material cycles
The team behind CRC
We combine expertise in high-quality recycling and flexible plastics processing
Dr. Dirk Textor
25+ years of experience in plastics recycling. Chairman of the plastics recycling section of bvse e.V. (German Association for Secondary Raw Materials and Recycling). Strong international and national network.
Ansgar Schonlau
Ansgar Schonlau is an international packaging expert with over 25 years of experience in the plastics industry. He has held various sales and management positions, always with the aim of developing sustainable and cost-effective products and processes. Since 2018, Ansgar Schonlau has been the owner of the highly innovative packaging manufacturer Maag.
Dr. Michael O.E. Scriba
Dr. Michael O.E. Scriba is considered a pioneer of the circular economy for packaging due to his pioneering role in establishing the Green Dot in Germany and the successful restructuring of a plastics recycling company, the mtm plastics group, into one of the largest polyolefin recyclers in Europe. As chairman and advisor to several important industry organizations and as a shareholder of a recycler, he actively shapes and advises the value chain in plastics recycling.
In-depth insights into CRC and current ordinances and regulations on the circular economy
Download the detailed CRC dossier, the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR), the National Circular Economy Strategy (NKWS) and the Packaging Act as a PDF now.
The documents give you an in-depth insight into the current challenges of the circular economy and our certification solution. Get well-founded information to make sustainable decisions and better understand legal requirements
