GreenBlue, NSF International seek comment on recycling standard

GreenBlue and NSF International are seeking public comment for the Recycled Material Standard (RMS), which is due to be published in early 2021. The RMS is intended to offer a mechanism for assuring claims of recycled content by corporations, and to create a certificate trading system to incentivize investment in recycling. 

Feedback is being sought from supply chain members across all manufacturing segments, NGOs, and other stakeholders. The public comment period is open through Dec. 18.  

In addition to providing comments on the standard, participants are asked to provide feedback on the first of the material modules, the Plastics Module, which defines how the principles of the RMS apply specifically to the plastics recycling value chain. Modules will be developed for other materials. 

“We are excited to work with NSF, leveraging their expertise in standards development, to bring the RMS to the marketplace at a critical time when brands must demonstrate progress on recycled content goals,” said Nina Goodrich, executive director of GreenBlue. “Based on the feedback we’ve received through the course of developing the standard, this will be an important tool to enable supply chain transparency for recycled content, something that is much needed to advance circularity and create investment, particularly for plastics.” 

NSF has guided the development process, gathering input from supply chain representatives to ensure the standard can be practically implemented and is relevant to address current challenges. 

Visit https://www.rmscertified.com to download the RMS and the Plastics Module, and access webinars that discuss key elements of the standard, such as mass balance allocation and the Attributes of Recycled Content trading system.  

Comments may be provided through https://www.rmscertified.com/about/standard/ or by contacting Jessica Evans, director of standards development at NSF International, at [email protected]. 

Read our earlier coverage of the RMS at https://plasticsmachinerymagazine.com/21130159.