The Recycled Material Standard: A Guide to RMS at GreenBlue

The Recycled Material Standard (RMS) is a comprehensive program designed to promote the use of recycled materials while fostering transparency and trust among stakeholders in various material sectors.

Developed through a collaborative, multi-stakeholder process, the RMS provides clear guidelines, criteria, and definitions to ensure consistent certification and an even playing field for participants. It also empowers consumers and brands to make environmentally responsible choices by offering labels and certifications for products that incorporate recycled materials.

At the core of the RMS is its framework, which outlines the general requirements for certification. This is supplemented by material-specific modules, such as the Plastics Module, which provides binding criteria for plastic-based materials seeking certification. The RMS Plastic Material Classification system ensures proper categorization of materials, supporting accurate traceability within the supply chain.

The RMS certification process is designed to uphold the integrity of the program. It includes Good Practice Principles, which all participants must attest to annually, and a complaints and appeals process to address any issues. Accredited certification bodies play a crucial role, maintaining impartiality and consistency in assessing participants’ conformance to RMS standards.

One unique feature of the RMS is the ARC (Attributes of Recycled Content) Registry, which facilitates certificate trading and supports investments in recycling infrastructure. Through the ARC system, participants can purchase certificates to fund North American processing facilities, enabling advancements in the circular economy.

The RMS also provides extensive resources, including education guides for legislators on recycled content policies and comparison documents to evaluate its effectiveness against other standards. The program’s emphasis on traceability, particularly for post-industrial plastics, supports brands aiming to reduce reliance on virgin plastics while meeting sustainability goals.

In conclusion, the RMS is a pivotal tool for advancing the adoption of recycled materials across industries. By offering clear standards, certification processes, and features such as the ARC system, it supports both environmental sustainability and market confidence in recycled content.