APR PCR Certification
Third-party verification of post-consumer resin (PCR) provides credibility and compliance.
The Seal of Approval For Post-Consumer Resin
One of the greatest challenges in creating a circular economy for packaging is collecting and using post-consumer waste. When companies commit to using PCR—whether voluntarily or to meet legislative requirements—it sends a signal to recyclers that there is a market for their material. PCR Certification goes one step further to give buyers and sellers confidence and stabilize recycled content markets. APR commends the 35+ plastic recyclers that have achieved APR PCR Certification since 2021.
Program Goals
Help companies meet legislative requirements
Build confidence between buyers and sellers of PCR
Develop a robust, stable PCR market for all
Why Get Certified or Buy Certified PCR?
The APR PCR Certification program supports recyclers looking to certify their resin and brands looking to meet internal and external sustainability requirements.
Transparency
Provides the transparency needed to help both buyers and sellers of PCR feel confident in their decisions.
Stability
Helps build a robust and stable PCR market.
Credibility
Provides third-party verification for voluntary commitments, like Ellen MacArthur Foundation or USPP, as well as EPR and content mandate legislation.
Confidence
Helps support claims and protect brand reputation.
How It Works
Choose Your Certifier & Apply
Choose from list of APR-endorsed certification bodies (CB), and send email to APR to get started
Collect Data
Contract with CB and submit necessary documents, usually 6-12 months of data, including supplier data
Complete Audit
CB reviews data, conducts mass balance analysis and site visit
Receive Certification
Upon successful completion, APR will issue certificate and marketing toolkit, and help promote
Information for Certification Bodies
In order to be endorsed, certification bodies must meet the following standards:
- Have and maintain ISO 17065 Accreditation
- Adhere to and understand ISO definitions ISO 14021:2016 (E) for Postconsumer Recycled Content (PCR) and Post-Industrial Recycled Content (PIR)
- Maintain reasonable expectations of customer service, including having appropriate staffing to reply to customer inquiries within two business days
Directory of Certified PCR
Review the full list of certified recyclers selling pellet and/or flake, as well as certified packaging.
PCR Certification FAQs
Post-consumer resin (PCR), also known as post-consumer recycled content, is plastic material that can no longer be used for its intended purpose. It can be generated by households or by commercial, industrial, and institutional facilities in their role as end-users of the product. PCR is different than PIR (Post-industrial resin/recycled content). PIR is material diverted from the waste stream during a manufacturing process.
The APR PCR Certification program provides transparency to support a reliable, robust PCR market.
Reclaimers can choose from multiple APR-endorsed certification companies to conduct an independent audit and, upon successful completion, issue PCR certification. Brand companies and converters can commit to using certified PCR. In addition to taking a leadership role in reducing plastic waste, companies that buy or sell certified PCR are preparing for upcoming regulation and helping to protect against reputational and legal challenges.
APR does not collect a fee from the company seeking certification of post-consumer content or from the APR-endorsed certifying organization. The APR PCR Certification Program has three components:
- APR endorses third-party companies to conduct certification process.
- Reclaimers hire these companies to conduct audits and, if successful, issue certifications.
- APR promotes certified PCR.
Any plastics reclaimer generating PCR pellet or flake can get certified through this program. Companies that receive certification are recognized on the APR website in a directory of certified PCR.
Any brand companies or converters can use our listing to find certified PCR.
Certifying companies can apply for endorsement from APR to become an auditor. APR membership is not a requirement for auditors or reclaimers.
See the current list of APR-endorsed certifying companies. All APR-endorsed certifying companies must meet APR’s criteria and adhere to APR’s guidelines, as defined by these operating procedures, to ensure a clear, consistent definition of PCR. The certifying companies do vary in size, business focus, and additional services, so APR recommends any company considering certification review their websites for more information.
A mass balance analysis will be conducted of all material flows within the recycling facility to ensure that enough PCR raw materials were purchased and used in production to consistently meet the recycled content claims within the certification period. There will also be an evaluation of the source of the recycled raw materials to determine the total percent (by weight) of PCR being used to manufacture the product. A site visit—whether virtual or in-person—will also be conducted. At the conclusion of the process, reclaimers will be provided with a certificate from the APR-endorsed certifying company. The certificate is valid for one year.
The cost will vary based on the number of products being certified, suppliers, sites being audited, and other factors. You can expect the cost to begin at approximately $5,000 USD. Contact the APR-endorsed certifying companies to request a quote.
This program was created to strengthen and increase plastic recycling. The APR Design® Guide for Plastics Recyclability helps companies design packaging from the start so that it can be recycled, and the APR PCR Certification program helps build a reliable, robust market for the production and consumption of recycled content in the form of post-consumer resin (PCR). This program strengthens the demand for PCR by providing confidence to buyers that the PCR they seek is legitimate, while simultaneously promoting the legitimate PCR for sale by plastics reclaimers.
PIR (post-industrial resin) typically has a specification that is consistent and predictable, which means it already easily finds a market and already has a strong demand. In order to move to a circular economy and help turn old plastic packaging into new recycled content, we believe the industry must focus on strengthening the PCR market.
This program focuses on tracking the origin of the feedstock, which also applies to chemical recycling.
- APR does not certify PCR content, nor does it concur with a certifying organization, but rather endorses companies that meet a set of requirements to conduct the certification process.
- APR does not adjudicate “percentage of PCR content” disagreements.
- APR does not collect a fee from the company seeking certification of post-consumer content or from the APR-endorsed certifying organization.
- APR membership is not a requirement for auditors or reclaimers.
APR lists certified PCR suppliers on its website here. Please contact us to start the process.
This program currently certifies chain of custody from source to pellet and/or flake. APR is looking to expand the program to certify chain of custody from source to end-product in the near future. If you are a brand company or converter, you can still play an important role by requesting or requiring certified PCR from your suppliers.
PCR is becoming a requirement in many states. As of July 2022, it has been added into content mandate laws in California, Washington and New Jersey, and using PCR is an incentive in some states with EPR legislation, including Oregon, Maine and Colorado. APR has provided technical expertise and counsel to many state legislators as they discuss certification as a way to enforce these laws.
PCR is also a requirement of voluntary commitments—such as Ellen McArthur Foundation and US Plastics
Pact. Buying or selling certified PCR can help to meet your company’s voluntary commitments, and protect
against possible reputational challenges.
Supporting PCR Certification is important for both buyers and sellers of recycled content. As a brand company or packaging manufacturer, you play an important role by requesting certified PCR from your vendors. You can start by making sure your procurement teams know what questions to ask when inquiring about PCR and you can go further by requiring certified PCR in your contracts. See additional PCR Certification Procurement Guidance.
Certification benefits the entire industry. PCR Certification will be a simple step for reclaimers that have robust Quality Assurance (QA) procedures in place and are confident in their material sources, and it will encourage positive change in those who do not. PCR Certification will help build a more stable and reliable PCR industry.
Audits that support FDA and food-grade compliance are focused on the quality of materials for health purposes. PCR certification audits focus on the source of the materials for circularity purposes. Both are important, but the process is different. PCR certification is a relatively simple process.
PCR supply is low today and that is a challenge for many companies. And when buyers signal more demand, that is often what helps to change the market and lead to increased production and supply. This is true for certified PCR as well. Many reclaimers are waiting for buyers to demand certification. The purchasing practices of converters and brand companies are integral to developing a stable PCR market. Long-term contracts provide reclaimers with the certainty to invest in increasing the supply and quality of the PCR they manufacture. And reclaimers will also make the investment to get certified, which helps build a more stable and reliable PCR industry.
Creating a reliable, transparent, and robust market for PCR is necessary to build a truly circular economy, and taking the first steps today—whether it is giving procurement teams a list of questions to ask, or requiring certified PCR—will enable you to achieve long-term goals.