Learn the step-by-step process of how plastic credits can help your company reduce its plastic footprint. Get up to speed with our guide now!
With a growing body of research linking plastic pollution to climate change and health problems, companies are increasingly looking for ways to reduce their plastic footprint. The use of plastic credits is one way companies can do this, enabling them to purchase new materials or offsets that reduce their plastic production and/or consumption. Read on to learn how your company can get started with plastic credits.
Understand the Concept of Plastic Credits:
Plastic credits are a form of digital currency that companies can use to demonstrate their commitment to reducing plastic waste. By buying these credits, companies can offset the environmental impacts of their plastic production and/or consumption. In some cases, companies may even be able to purchase new materials or technologies with the credits they’ve acquired. Plastic credits can also be used to fund plastic clean-up initiatives.
Get an Overview of Existing Credit Mechanisms:
Before embarking on your own plastic credit journey, it’s important to understand the different types of existing credits and what they mean for your company. This can help you make informed decisions about which credits are best for your business goals and needs. Additionally, you can use research tools like this Credit Profiles Database to get a better understanding of the different credit systems that exist out there.
Calculate Your Carbon and Plastic Footprints:
Before you can start mitigating your company’s plastic and carbon footprints, it’s necessary to know where you stand. To begin calculating your current plastic footprint, first estimate the total quantity of plastic you use for all operations. This includes any raw materials as well as end-product packaging and shipping materials. Once you have this figure, divide it by your company’s sales and you will have a baseline from which to work.
Create a Strategy to Reduce Your Company’s Footprint:
After you have calculated your baseline plastic footprint, it’s time to create a strategy for improving it. The most effective way to reduce your company’s plastic footprint is to purchase plastic credits. For each ton of plastic a company purchases and destroys, they will receive a credit. This is essentially an investment that allows a company to offset their usage of plastics by destroying extra materials or offsets generated elsewhere. Companies can use these internationally tracked credits as rewards and incentives to encourage customers and stakeholders to reduce their own waste.
After purchasing plastic credits, companies need to take additional steps in order to reduce their plastic consumption and footprint. Develop an action plan that includes achievable goals and measurable objectives for reducing your company’s reliance on plastics. Examples of potential goals related to plastic consumption are switching from disposable products to reusable alternatives, introducing a program for collecting and sorting post-consumer plastics, creating incentives for customers to bring their own containers, or replacing single-use packaging with refillable options.