August 17, 2021
According to a report from Grand View Research, the market for global post-consumer recycled plastic was an estimated $7.76 billion (USD) in 2019 and is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 10.6% from 2020 through 2027. Acceptance of and access to recycled plastics in the Asia-Pacific region is growing, and plastic manufacturers in these areas are building competencies and processes to offer quality, high-performance recycled plastic with the help of global safety science leader, UL.
Plastic manufacturer Jiu Long Thai and its affiliate, Zing Whor Thai, became the first plastic recycler in ASEAN to achieve Environmental Claim Validation (ECV) to the UL 2809 Standard to validate recycled content for ocean-bound plastics. In the validation process, manufacturers must present evidence of ocean-bound plastic collected and used throughout the manufacturing process. The assessment also includes a review of the social impacts of collecting these recycled materials on local economies. UL validated post-consumer ocean-bound plastic used in nine types of plastic, fiber, pellets and flakes produced by Jiu Long Thai and its affiliate, Zing Whor Thai. Specific products and validation claim language are listed on UL SPOT, our official online database of sustainable products.
“With validation to UL 2809, Jiu Long Thai and Zing Whor Thai establish themselves as a trusted provider of recycled plastic that uses post-consumer, ocean-bound plastics. This lends confidence to manufacturers and consumers who are choosing materials that support sustainability and environmental performance,” said Doug Lockard, vice present and general manager, Retail and Consumer Products, UL.
According to the World Economic Forum, the pandemic has driven increased use of plastic, resulting in plastic waste. Recycling infrastructure and third-party environmental claim validation to standards like UL 2809 support the establishment of a supply of trusted sources for recycled plastic content that can be used by manufacturers in various sectors.
“Jiu Long Thai and Zing Whor Thai are proud to collaborate with UL to earn this important validation for our products. We are dedicated to creating access to quality recycled plastic and to spreading awareness of environmental impact and the global warming crisis,” said Chee Sae-phrong, president of Jiu Long Thai.
A survey conducted by Accenture of consumers worldwide found that 83% believe it’s important or extremely important for companies to design products that are meant to be reused or recycled. A majority of consumers (72%) said they are currently purchasing more environmentally friendly products than they were five years ago. In that same survey, 77% of respondents perceived plastics as the least environmentally friendly type of packaging. Third-party recycled content validations could help change that perception and be a step toward pursuing a more circular economy.
For more information about UL ECV and other services, visit https://www.UL.com/services/recycled-plastics-solutions.
