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PolyREC, the association that monitors, verifies, and reports on European recycled plastics, is now recognised as an official data collector for the Circular Plastics Alliance (CPA), as it launches the RecoTrace data collection system.

According to PolyREC, it will use RecoTrace data to report on the progress of the entire European plastics value chain towards the CPA target of 10 Mt recycled plastics use by 2025.

The CPA-compliant RecoTrace system is reportedly the first comprehensive data system to monitor both plastic recycling volumes and recycled plastic use for all main polymers. The system apparently builds on Recovynyl’s data collection experience, with expanding capabilities to monitor polyolefin (PO), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polystyrene (PS) and expanded polystyrene (EPS), extruded polystyrene (XPS), polyamide (PA), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) and polycarbonate (PC).

In addition, PolyREC says its members have worked collaboratively to align all definitions and methodology used within RecoTrace to ensure comparability of data.

The tool works via a free-to-use online platform for recyclers and converters, which allows for tracking progress against individual pledges to produce or use recycled content.

Ton Means, president of Plastics Recyclers Europe, says on behalf of PolyREC: “PolyREC is calling on all plastic recyclers and converters to register their recycled plastic data into RecoTrace and, in doing so, ensure transparency of the circular movement of European polymers.

“Understanding the size and dynamics of the European recycled plastics market will help inform future legislation and investment decisions that accelerate the transition to a circular economy.”

PolyREC was formed in 2021 as part of a collaboration between Petcore Europe, PlasticsEurope, Plastics Recyclers Europe, and VinlyPlus. Polyolefin Circular Economy Platform (PCEP), Styrenics Circular Solutions (SCS), and European Manufacturers of Expanded Polystyrene (EUMEPS) have since joined the initiative in a bid to establish “a harmonised, pan-European data collection system”.