April 30, 2021
An estimated 11 million metric tons of plastic end up in oceans each year, according to a study from PEW Charitable Trusts, making ocean-bound plastic a global environmental problem. Organizations, governments, nongovernment organizations (NGOs) and corporations are working to tackle the problem and, as a result, demand for quality recycled plastic is surging. Since an estimated 28% of all global manufacturing output originates from China, according to the World Economic Forum, access to quality, validated recycled material remains critical to achieving global sustainability goals.
Yonghong Regeneration Resources (Yonghong) is the first recycling plant in Greater China to obtain UL 2809 Environmental Claim Validation Procedure (ECVP) for Recycled Content for ocean-bound plastics. Yonghong is engaged in plastic recycling and processing, generating a chemical fiber recycled polyester material for manufacturers. Their PC/PE/PET/PP flake products contain recycled ocean-bound plastic and are used in a variety of well-known products from leading brands across Asia and abroad. The recycler’s PC/PE/PET/PP flake products have been validated to contain 100% recycled ocean-bound plastic. With the UL 2809 ECV Mark, Yonghong provides leading brands and manufacturers with assurance that the flake products purchased for use in their products has been validated by a trusted third party. The CPRRA and UL hope that Yonghong is just one of many manufacturers of recycled material and consumer and other products that will commit to using recycled plastics.
UL 2809 Environmental Claim Validation Procedure (ECVP) for Recycled Content evaluates the amount of recycled content used in products. The ECVP was recently revised to include ocean and ocean-bound plastics. The assessment for these materials includes a review of the social impacts of collecting these recycled materials on local economies. Through the UL 2809 validation process, organizations can tap into the expertise of an experienced company committed to advancing global sustainability, environmental health and safety by supporting the growth and development of environmentally preferable products, services and organizations.
The UL ECV Mark for recycled content on products helps manufacturers demonstrate to consumers, brand owners and procurement teams that their products integrate recycled ocean-bound plastic. UL 2809 EVCP for Recycled Content is designed to evaluate the total amount of recycled content, including post-consumer, pre-consumer and closed loop. Products earning the UL 2809 ECV are displayed on UL SPOT, UL’s official online database of sustainable products. Thousands of green building professionals, consumers, procurement professionals and others visit SPOT each month in search of sustainable products.
In 2020, safety science leader, UL, forged a partnership agreement with the Plastic Recycling Branch (CPRRA) of the China Synthetic Resin Association. The two organizations are collaborating to promote the creation and use of recycled ocean-bound plastics across China. Using UL’s trusted validation services for recycling facilities as well as manufacturers, these organizations hope to improve demand for and access to recycled ocean-bound plastics, reducing the environmental impact of products from building materials to consumer goods, electronics and more.
With recycled content validation, UL will help companies transform sustainability leadership into long-term market leadership, empowering manufacturers to increase their contribution to greater sustainability. As more validated ocean-bound plastic is made available to manufacturers, China hopes to see a surge in usage of these materials, reducing use of virgin materials and saving critical waterways from pollution. To learn more about UL 2809, visit https://www.ul.com/services/recycled-content-validation.