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).
• 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.

Verra is leading the development process for this methodology and has hired ClimeCo (opens on external site) as the developer (see Section 2.1.1[2] of the VCS Methodology Development and Review Process, 4.3 (PDF). The draft methodology is currently at “Step 3: Draft Methodology Development” of the VCS Methodology Development and Review Process, 4.3 (PDF).

Stakeholders interested in collaborating during methodology development or developing projects that this methodology might enable are encouraged to contact methodologies@verra.org. Please include the Methodology Development ID# M0173 in the subject line.