Methodology for the Displacement of Virgin Petroleum-Based Plastic Production

The draft methodology applies to project activities that displace the production of virgin petroleum-based plastic. Eligible project activities include:

• The production of plastic materials and products using recycled plastic waste. Eligible projects will be able to generate VCUs under the VCS Program, and Plastic Credits under Verra’s Plastic Program using the latest version of the Plastic Waste Recycling Methodology (PWRM0002). Please note: VMR0007 Revision to AMS-III.AJ.: Recovery and Recycling of Materials from Solid Wastes is currently active and available for certain plastic recycling projects.
• The production of plastic materials using alternative feedstocks, such as biogenic feedstocks (sugarcane, algae, seaweed, or other plant starches or agricultural inputs) or captured industrial waste (e.g., CO2 or CH4).
• The production of non-polymer-based plastic alternatives, such as products made partially or fully from calcium carbonate. This activity is included in the draft methodology CN0103, Methodology for the Use of Alternative Materials that Displace the Production of Plastics. Verra will determine whether to consolidate CN0103 with this methodology, M0173, as part of the development process.

• On March 29, 2026, the development of this methodology was rejected per the VCS Methodology Development and Review Process (PDF). After careful review, Verra determined that the proposal’s climate impact was not as high as that of other ideas. Verra will therefore not proceed this approach to the full methodology development process at this time.