Companies make promises about recycling. Do they keep them?

Written by Manasi Mehta, 2025 Business Development Intern

Every Plastic has a Story -

Stories Matter. They help us understand why something exists, what it's been through and what it could become. This applies to pretty much everything, including plastic.

In the world of products and sustainability, provenance matters. Traceability gives us a material’s backstory; where it came from, how it's been processed, and what it contains. This is essential when it comes to plastics. Knowing the resin type, additives and contamination risks help us guide how the material should be handled next.

When we know the story, we can process it safely, reclaim it efficiently and meet quality standards that matter downstream. We can also prevent contamination early, flag risky batches, and reduce unnecessary waste.

But most importantly, we can prove that our recycling processes are real and that the materials were handled responsibly, met required standards and are processed responsibly.

Where does your recycled plastic go? Traceability is key to moving plastic waste into reuse.

What users really want: Proof

You might wonder if proving all these attributes is necessary and I can say from experience that it is. During my time at Reclamation Factory, I spent a lot of my time diving deep with users. One theme kept popping up-

“How do I know if any of these things are really being recycled?”

Honestly, I did not have a good answer. And that was the insight. People want to feel good about doing the right thing but they need evidence that their actions matter. That’s what a provenance report offers. It moves beyond the “just trust us” and into “here is the proof”. It helps processes build real confidence in the system.

Certifications help build this trust

Certifications like R2 and e-Stewards do more than just enforce standards. They convert complex technical processes into something understandable and credible for the customers and the public. They require companies to document and verify every process. This adds structure and accountability which in turn forces consistency. Certifications make quality and safety non-negotiable.

When traceability is built in, data gets collected. Over time, that data becomes insight. It helps surface patterns, identify what’s working (and what’s not), and improve outcomes. It also creates an auditable record, which strengthens circularity goals and makes compliance visible.

The Business Case

Traceability and certification aren’t just operational checkboxes. They’re also strategic assets. When you can show the story behind your recycled plastic with real data, it becomes easier to sell, easier to trust and easier to scale. Whether B2B or B2C, transparency is a winning strategy.

Greenwashing or Sustainability?

In a world full of greenwashing, data is the ingredient that makes everything better.  Certifications make this data visible to the public and validate company promises. It builds trust. It gives weight to a claim and turns sustainability from a buzzword into something people believe in and keep coming back to.