Plastic Program Newsletter – Issue #9

Welcome to the ninth issue of Verra’s Plastic Program Newsletter, where we share updates on Verra’s Plastic Waste Reduction Program (Plastic Program) and how you can support the work of the Plastic Program.

If you have questions or comments about the newsletter, please contact secretariat@verra.org.

A new fact sheet is now available that explores how Verra’s Plastic Waste Reduction Standard Program (Plastic Program) can help governments and obligated producers strengthen Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) systems through transparent, independently verified plastic waste collection and recycling outcomes. The fact sheet highlights the value of Verra’s globally consistent monitoring, reporting, and verification (MRV) framework—particularly in emerging markets and developing economies where limited capacity, data gaps, and weak measurement systems can make EPR implementation challenging.

Vigil Yangjinqi Yu, senior program officer for the Plastic Program, will represent Verra at a series of regional events in Manila from September 21–25, strengthening Verra’s engagement with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) stakeholders on circular economy and plastic pollution. Vigil will participate in the following events:

• World Economic Forum’s Global Plastic Action Partnership (GPAP) Partners Day: September 21
• ASEAN Regional Dialogue on Circular Economy, led by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Philippines: September 22–23
• ASEAN Conference on Combating Plastic Pollution (ACCPP), organized by the Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA): September 24–25

Across these engagements, Vigil will contribute to regional discussions on plastic pollution, the circular economy, EPR, and approaches to strengthening plastic waste management systems across ASEAN.

Policy Dialogue on EPR: Plastic Credits and Incentives in Focus

In February, Verra joined a technical workshop organized by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Philippines Department of Environment and Natural Resources. Government and industry representatives, development partners, and technical experts came together to share lessons learned from the Philippines’ EPR journey and identify priorities for the road ahead. The conversation touched on registry architecture, how to bring producers on board, and where certification systems and strong MRV frameworks can add credibility and rigor to EPR implementation, with Verra offering its global experience to help shape the discussion.

Technical Consultation for a Functional EPR System in Viet Nam

In March, Verra took part in a technical consultation hosted by the Viet Nam National Plastic Action Partnership (NPAP), continuing its engagement with ASEAN countries working to build out their EPR systems. As EPR implementation progresses in Viet Nam, several practical challenges have emerged, including registry architecture, data reliability, compliance monitoring, anti-free rider mechanisms, and the overall governance model for financial flows and recycling targets. Drawing on its international experience in the field, Verra introduced the Plastic Program and how its MRV frameworks can help make EPR implementation more effective.

Webinar Recording: Improving Social Safeguards and Traceability in Plastic Value Chains

On July 16, 2026, a webinar co-organized by Verra and PCX Solutions and hosted by the PREVENT Waste Alliance brought together practitioners across the sector. Varun Aggarwal, head of Verra’s Plastic Program, shared Verra’s approach to social safeguards under the Plastic Waste Reduction Standard, alongside perspectives from PCX Solutions, The Circulate Initiative, CleanHub, and other sector stakeholders.

Discussions focused on practical approaches and emerging good practices for strengthening social safeguards, responsible sourcing, and traceability across plastic recovery and recycling value chains. Together, the panelists explored implementation challenges including data collection, verification, informal sector inclusion, worker protection, and grievance mechanisms in the waste management sector.

Webinar Recap: Ghana NPAP on EPR

On August 5, 2026, the Ghana NPAP hosted a webinar on what it will take to make EPR work effectively in Ghana. Verra’s Varun Aggarwal joined representatives from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Ghana Standards Authority (GSA), and ASASE Foundation to discuss key considerations for EPR implementation, including financing models suited to Ghana’s context, the role of robust MRV systems in strengthening transparency and accountability, approaches to managing costs across the value chain, and opportunities to recognize and integrate informal waste workers.

Verra regularly registers new projects with its Plastic Program and approves Plastic Credits. See below for a list of projects that have recently completed the registration and/or verification approval process:

1. LaoRefuel: Conversion of Wastes into RDF, Lao People’s Democratic Republic (Verra Project 5554)
2. Socially Responsible Plastic Waste Recycling Initiative by Gemcorp India, India (Verra Project 4093)
3. Roded Recycling Project, Israel (Verra Project 5303)
4. Ecogreen Plastic Collection and Recycling Project, Cameroon (Verra Project 5466)
5. Plastic Waste Reduction Project in Bangladesh Phase I, Bangladesh (Verra Project 4864)
6. Plastic Waste Reduction Project in Bangladesh Phase 2, Bangladesh (Verra Project 4933)