ReCircle receives Ocean Plastics Certification

The journey of ReCircle in achieving the OBP certification?
What started as a passion for scuba-diving for both Rahul Nainani, CEO and co-founder, and I led to something profound. It was during one of our awe-inspiring dives, surrounded by marine life, that we came face to face with a heart-wrenching reality - plastic trash littering the ocean floor. We didn’t realise this at the time, but this observation would forever alter the trajectory of ReCircle.

We realised that our commitment to diverting waste from landfills was only one part of the equation. In order to truly make a huge difference, we also had to embrace our responsibility to protect our oceans, so they can thrive for generations to come. 

We are honoured to be certified under the Ocean Bound Plastic (OBP) Certification Program by Zero Plastic Oceans (ZPO) in collaboration with the European Control Union. The process involves identifying the certification standards that correspond to our work, understanding the requirements needed to comply to obtain the certification, and preparing for an audit ensuring everything is properly documented for review. The certification is an independent certification of ocean-bound plastics recycling supply chains to ensure they meet international environment, ethical and labour standards. 

What are the steps ReCircle is taking to solve the problem?
Ocean bound plastic (OBP), which is abandoned plastic on its way to our oceans, is a multifaceted problem. Therefore, it is critical to fight OBP before it becomes marine plastic pollution. We are on a mission to limit the damage to our oceans and enable a circular economy.

We do this in the following ways.

ReCircle enables brands to earn a plastic neutral label elevating their sustainability objectives. The company empowers them to take ownership of the plastic waste they generate daily by investing in the removal and processing of an equivalent amount of plastic waste from the environment. Additionally, we also provide OBP certified materials to OBP certified recyclers as well as provide certified granules/ fibres/ flakes in exchange.

The OBP certification program ensures that every step we take aligns with the highest standards such as;

Adequate and ethical waste collection

Well-managed waste

Traceability and recyclability

Responsible handling of non-commercially recyclable waste

Today, the industry is at an inflection point owing to the rise of a conscious consumer base. Consumers believe that brands have a responsibility as much as governments to create a positive environmental and social change.

Gurashish Singh Sahni, co-founder and COO, ReCircle

What is the role of the packaging industry in solving this problem? Since most of the plastic waste is plastic packaging.
Some of the ways in which the packaging industry can help solve the problem at hand is by using mono-layer materials. The industry can ensure that the materials used are of a minimum micron and size, thereby, making it easy and feasible for waste collectors to recover the same.

Companies should take responsibility for the plastic packaging put out in the market by either replacing plastics or neutralising the same, and also encouraging the use of Post Consumer Recycled packaging.

Lastly, a lot of this also comes down to design. It is no secret that businesses design waste into our systems. And, once we are done with a product it goes into waste; landfills and oceans. But the journey starts at the product creation phase. Which is why we need to think of the circularity of a product as opposed to thinking of the problem once it is created. Redesigning waste is the need of the hour if we want to become truly circular.