Plastic Program quality assurance principles ensure all Plastic Credits represent collected and/or recycled plastic waste that is additional, real and measurable, conservatively estimated, independently audited, as well as uniquely numbered and transparently listed. These criteria are defined as follows:
Additional
Projects must exceed the most likely “business-as-usual” scenario and demonstrate that plastic waste collection and/or recycling activities would not occur without revenue from the sale of Plastic Credits.
Real and measurable
Project proponents must apply an approved methodology to ensure that all collected and/or recycled plastic waste has genuinely taken place and is quantifiable.
Conservatively estimated
Project proponents must use conservative assumptions, values and procedures to ensure collected and/or recycled plastic waste is not overestimated.
Independently audited
Project proponents must contract an approved validation/verification body (VVB) to confirm that the project design meets Plastic Program criteria and that collected and/or recycled plastic waste is quantified according to Plastic Program requirements.
Uniquely numbered and transparently listed
Projects must be registered on the Verra Registry to ensure each Plastic Credit is assigned a unique serial number and listed on the Verra Registry. Key safeguards are put in place to prevent double counting of collected and/or recycled plastic waste.