Impact program certification scheme

Version History

Ver	Date	Reason	Version writer	Author/Approver
1.0	06/2026	Initial version	Shaun Frankson	Shaun Frankson

1. Purpose

• The Plastic Bank Impact Program provides a transparent framework through which organizations fund plastic collection and collector support through Plastic Bank programs.
• The program is supported by traceable impact data, established governance requirements, and independent third-party verification of the Plastic Credit Methodology, which is currently underway.
• The program supports measurable environmental and social contributions by funding plastic collection activities and financial bonuses for collectors.

2. Scope

The Plastic Bank Impact Program applies to organizations, brands, products, and initiatives that support Plastic Bank programs and meet the requirements outlined in this certification scheme.

Participation may be recognized at the following levels, subject to eligibility and verification requirements:

• Company level
• Brand level
• Product level
• Program level

3. Reference Standards

The Plastic Bank Impact Program has been developed with consideration of applicable environmental marketing, consumer protection, and sustainability communication frameworks, including:

• Directive (EU) 2024/825 (Empowering Consumers for the Green Transition Directive)
• Directive 2005/29/EC (Unfair Commercial Practices Directive)
• Applicable consumer protection, advertising, and environmental marketing requirements in relevant jurisdictions

The program may be updated from time to time to reflect evolving regulations, standards, and industry best practices.

4. Program Components

The Plastic Bank Impact Program consists of two core impact components:

Environmental Impact

Funding the collection of plastic through Plastic Bank collection ecosystems. Collection activities are recorded through the Plastic Bank platform and measured using Plastic Bank’s approved collection methodology.

Social Impact

Funding bonuses and access to social benefits for registered Plastic Bank collectors. Bonuses are provided as digital tokens through Plastic Bank’s app.

Detailed methodology, traceability and audit-readiness requirements are available in the Plastic Credit Methodology.

5. Participation Requirements

To participate in the Plastic Bank Impact Program, organizations must:

5.1 Active Contribution

Maintain an active agreement with Plastic Bank and remain in good standing throughout the participation period. Participants must remain current on all contractual, financial obligations with either monthly (for a minimum of one year) or annual commitments.

5.2 Minimum Annual Commitment

Commit to funding a minimum of 240 kilograms of plastic collection annually through Plastic Bank programs (equivalent to approximately 12,000 plastic bottles based on Plastic Bank’s current bottle conversion methodology).

One Plastic Bank Plastic Credit represents one kilogram of plastic collected (equivalent to approximately 50 plastic bottles).

5.3 Traceable Impact Data

Program participation is supported by traceable and auditable records maintained through the Plastic Bank app and made available to program participants through the Plastic Bank Impact Hub.

5.4 Requirements for Plastic Bank

To offer a traceable, transparent and verified Impact Program, Plastic Bank maintains:

• Independently verified methodology (in-progress)
• Traceability systems (complete)
• Collector bonus payment records (complete)
• Publicly available methodology (complete)
• Grievance mechanism (complete)

6. Verification Requirements

Plastic Bank is in the process of conducting an independent third-party verification of the current traceability, chain-of-custody controls, social impact delivery mechanisms, and data quality controls. The public verification statement will be published upon completion of the verification process.

Verification Status: In-Progress

7. Approved Use of Program Marks and Claims

Eligible participants may use approved Plastic Bank program marks, logos, and claims in accordance with Plastic Bank Brand Guidelines and Claims Guidance available through the Plastic Bank Impact Hub.

Examples of approved claims may include:

• Funds Plastic Collection Through Plastic Bank Programs
• Supports Plastic Collection Through Plastic Bank
• Funding the Collection of XX,XXX kilograms of plastic through Plastic Bank

All claims must remain current and be supported by applicable participation and impact data. Participants shall not use claims that imply environmental superiority of a product, plastic neutrality, or other representations not expressly authorized by Plastic Bank.

8. Monitoring, Corrective Action, and Enforcement

Plastic Bank reserves the right to review participant compliance with the requirements of the Plastic Bank Impact Program.

8.1 Monitoring

Plastic Bank may periodically review participant compliance, including:

• Participation status and contractual standing
• Minimum annual commitment requirements
• Use of approved claims and program marks
• Compliance with current Claims Guidance and Brand Guidelines
• Other applicable program requirements

Plastic Bank may conduct reviews at its discretion or in response to complaints, disputes, or identified risks.

8.2 Corrective Action

Where non-compliance is identified, Plastic Bank may require the participant to implement corrective actions within a specified timeframe.

Corrective actions may include:

• Updating or removing non-compliant claims
• Correcting misuse of program marks or logos
• Providing supporting documentation or information
• Addressing outstanding payment obligations

8.3 Enforcement

Participation may be suspended or revoked if a participant:

• Terminates its participation agreement with Plastic Bank
• Fails to maintain its minimum annual commitment
• Becomes delinquent on payment obligations
• Uses claims, program marks, or logos in a manner that is inconsistent with Plastic Bank’s current Claims Guidance, unless otherwise approved in writing by Plastic Bank
• Fails to complete required corrective actions within the specified timeframe

Plastic Bank may suspend participation and, where appropriate, revoke participation where non-compliance is not remedied or where continued participation presents legal, regulatory, reputational, or program integrity risks.

Plastic Bank will provide written notice of suspension or revocation and the reason for the decision.

Participants whose participation has been suspended may be reinstated upon demonstrating that identified non-compliances have been resolved to Plastic Bank’s satisfaction.

9. Discontinuation of Program Marks and Claims

Upon termination, suspension, expiration, or revocation of participation, organizations must discontinue use of program marks, program claims, and associated materials within thirty (30) calendar days.

Existing packaging produced during a valid participation period may continue to be sold; however, no new packaging, marketing materials, or public communications bearing the program mark may be created or distributed following expiration, suspension, or revocation.

Plastic Bank reserves the right to require earlier removal where necessary to address legal, regulatory, or reputational risks.

10. Complaints, Disputes, and Appeals

Plastic Bank shall maintain a documented process for:

• Complaints relating to the Plastic Bank Impact Program
• Disputes relating to the application of program requirements
• Appeals of suspension or revocation decisions

Complaints, disputes, and appeals may be submitted to: [email protected]

Plastic Bank will acknowledge receipt of complaints, disputes, and appeals within a reasonable timeframe and may request additional information where necessary to support its review.

Complaints, disputes, and appeals will be assessed by appropriate Plastic Bank personnel and handled in a fair, impartial, and timely manner.

Where appropriate, Plastic Bank may implement corrective actions, request additional documentation, uphold or modify a prior decision, or take other actions necessary to maintain the integrity of the Plastic Bank Impact Program.

Records of complaints, disputes, appeals, and resulting actions shall be maintained by Plastic Bank in accordance with its record retention practices.

11. Stakeholder Consultation

The Plastic Bank Impact Program criteria are developed and periodically reviewed in consultation with relevant stakeholders, including participating brands, collection ecosystem representatives, recycling industry participants, independent verification professionals, legal and regulatory advisors, and other subject matter experts as appropriate. Feedback received through stakeholder consultations may be used to inform future updates to program requirements and supporting documentation.

12. Disclaimer

Plastic Bank reserves the right to update the Plastic Bank Impact Program, including program requirements, approved claims, mark usage requirements, verification requirements, methodologies, and supporting documentation, to reflect evolving regulations, standards, verification findings, and industry best practices.

Participants will be notified of material changes and provided a reasonable transition period to implement any required updates.

Participation in the Plastic Bank Impact Program does not constitute legal advice, regulatory approval, environmental certification of a product, confirmation of environmental neutrality, or approval of any specific marketing claim in any jurisdiction.

Participating organizations remain responsible for ensuring compliance with applicable laws, regulations, advertising requirements, and consumer protection requirements in all markets where claims are used.