How credits become eligible, issued, and retired under the Plastic Credit Standard v1.0 and the applicable methodology.
Credits are issued only after successful third-party verification in accordance with the Plastic Credit Standard v1.0 and the applicable methodology:
This ensures all issued credits represent verified, conservative quantities backed by traceable documentation.
Seven steps from partner onboarding to credit issuance
Partners are screened against minimum operational and safeguard requirements before entering the programme.
Each batch of plastic is assigned a unique identifier and weighed using calibrated equipment with documented procedures.
Movement of material is tracked and documented from collection through processing stages.
Material outcomes are documented with receipts and facility verification (required for recycling-tier credits).
Evidence is compiled into a monitoring report following the applicable methodology template requirements.
Conservative deductions are applied for moisture, contamination, rejects, baseline, leakage risk, and uncertainty.
Eligible quantities are issued with unique credit identifiers and assigned "Issued" status in the registry.
Three categories based on verification level and outcome
(Collected)
Ex-post credits representing verified plastic collection and controlled recovery outcomes.
Higher Integrity Outcome
Ex-post credits representing verified recycling outcomes at eligible facilities with end-destination confirmation.
Ex-Ante
Forward commitments labelled as "committed" until activity is delivered and verified, then converted to ready credits.
Why credit quantities are conservative
All credits are subject to conservative deductions to ensure claimed quantities represent defensible, verified outcomes. Deductions are applied at various stages of the quantification process:
Accounts for water content and non-plastic material
Material rejected during sorting or processing
Adjustment for existing collection activity
Buffer for potential material diversion
Conservative adjustment for data and measurement uncertainty
Credit has been verified and issued. Represents completed activity. Available for purchase or allocation.
Credit has been permanently retired against a buyer's claim. Represents completed activity. Cannot be transferred.
Ex-ante pledge purchased to fund future activity. Will be converted to "Issued" upon delivery and verification.
Only "Issued" and "Retired" credits represent completed, verified activity.
Unique identifier, credit type, quantity, retirement details
Overview of verified activity and quantification
Batch records, weighing data, chain-of-custody
Complete package for third-party review (level depends on credit type)
View available credits, verify existing purchases, or access documentation.