PLASTIC CREDITS

What is a plastic credit?

A practical introduction to the environmental commodity at the centre of Reclaimed Earth’s platform.

A measurable unit of plastic recovery

A plastic credit is a verified environmental commodity representing the collection, recycling or safe disposal of a measurable quantity of plastic waste, typically one metric ton. Credits can be issued by eligible projects such as recycling facilities and recovery initiatives.

Much like carbon credits are used to account for emissions-related activity, plastic credits are intended to create a measurable mechanism for funding plastic recovery and recycling.

Why credits exist

Plastic recovery requires collection, sorting, processing, verification and viable end markets. Credits are designed to help channel funding towards that work while giving buyers a traceable environmental asset.

How plastic credits work

Collection

Plastic waste is collected through participating projects.

Verification

Third-party processes confirm eligible collection and processing.

Registry ID

A unique identifier creates a record of the credit and its ownership.

Trading

Credits can be made available to buyers seeking plastic-recovery outcomes.

Plastic credits and carbon credits

Plastic credits and carbon credits are distinct environmental instruments, but both use standards, verification and registries to connect measurable outcomes with finance. Plastic credits are considerably younger, with the first verified platforms taking shape around 2019–2020.

The two markets address different environmental outcomes and should not be expected to follow the same price or development path.

For investors

Plastic credits can be structured as traceable environmental assets linked to verified recovery or recycling outcomes. Pricing can vary significantly according to project type, processing method, verification and buyer demand.

See the market thesis →