Recycled Plastics: A Harmonized Responsible Sourcing Framework

Our key takeaway: Has your company made commitments to use higher volumes of post-consumer recycled (PCR) plastic? Did you know that there are a number of human rights impacts occurring in the recycled plastics value chain? And did you know that the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights also apply to this part of your value chain? We’ve discussed previously the Fair Circularity Principles, which apply the expectations of the UN Guiding Principles to the informal waste sector. We now have progress on a harmonized responsible sourcing framework for recycled plastics, courtesy of The Circulate Initiative’s Responsible Sourcing Initiative (RSI) (with support from Shift and input from a wide range of organisations and waste pickers globally). This harmonized responsible sourcing framework helps companies know how to put the Fair Circularity Principles into practice. In short, if you’re wondering what’s top of mind for waste pickers in the value chain, wonder no more. We are now clear that they are looking (1) for the right to a standard of living that is adequate for the health and well-being of themselves and their families (economic empowerment), (2) for a safe and healthy working environment (health and safety), (3) to be treated equally, with respect and dignity, and without any form of discrimination, and there should be no restrictions on the freedom of a worker (autonomy and inclusion), (4) for the right to freedom of association, to form and/or join trade unions, and to bargain collectively (collective bargaining), and (5) to ensure equal participation without discrimination (gender equality). Take a look at the report for further guidance on the kinds of indicators to consider, and tools that you can already start to apply to this area. A plastics recycling value chains that safeguards the human rights of waste pickers across the value chain starts here.

The Circulate Initiative’s Responsible Sourcing Initiative (RSI) published The Harmonized Responsible Sourcing Framework for Recycled Plastics  (Part 1: Themes, Definitions and Indicators) (May 2024):

What is the issue?

• We are in a broader pursuit of a circular economy for plastics. Increasing the volume of plastic recycled globally is critical to meet climate and environmental goals and to solve the global plastic pollution crisis
• A growing number of multinational companies have made commitments to use higher volumes of post-consumer recycled (PCR) plastic
• There are an estimated 20 million waste pickers that account for roughly 60% of plastic collected globally
• Addressing human rights in the recycled plastics value chain and improving the livelihoods of informal waste workers is essential
• Buyers of recycled plastic generally do not understand the origin of the material, nor the conditions under which it is collected and processed
• There is a lack of unified definitions, criteria, and key indicators for measuring success in responsible sourcing of recycled plastics prevents intentions and commitments from turning into strong actions on the ground
• This is also a barrier to greater transparency in plastics recycling value chains
  

The harmonized framework

• The Fair Circularity Principles (FCPs) apply the expectations of the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs) to the informal waste sector
• The FCPs call on all companies in plastics recycling value chains to “take appropriate steps to prevent, mitigate, and remedy impacts they cause or contribute to, and seek to prevent and mitigate impacts that may be linked to their operations, products or services, in line with their human rights responsibility”
• The development of a harmonized responsible sourcing framework (harmonized framework) is a key step to ensure that companies know how to put the Fair Circularity Principles (FCPs) into practice
• The harmonization process is based on a review of existing responsible sourcing frameworks and a participatory process through which the organisations involved engaged over 40 organizations representing stakeholders from across the plastics recycling value chain
  

Contents of Part 1

• Part 1 of the harmonized framework includes key thematic areas, definitions, and indicators
• It delves into five thematic areas for responsible sourcing: (1) Economic Empowerment, (2) Health and Safety, (3) Autonomy and Inclusion, (4) Collective Representation, and (5) Gender Equality
• For each of the five thematic areas, the report proposes both minimum indicators and advanced indicators. These indicators articulate objectives for what responsible sourcing seeks to achieve in the recycled plastics value chain, and the framework recommends that they be used by value chain participants to track and assess progress against these objectives
• The report also delves into different tools and methods that can help to operationalize the harmonized framework
• By mid-2025, the Circulate Initiative’s Responsible Sourcing Initiative will publish Part II of the harmonized framework and work with partners to build on and align existing tools for responsible sourcing with the indicators identified in this Part 1