Divide the mass of qualifying recycled material by the mass of the scope covered by the claim, then multiply by 100%. Always explain exactly what the percentage refers to.
The basic formula
Recycled content can be expressed as:
mass of recycled material / mass of the scope covered by the claim × 100%
The most important step is defining both values correctly, rather than the arithmetic itself.
What belongs in the numerator?
Include only material that meets the applicable origin and traceability criteria. If PCR and PreCR are reported separately, the source data must distinguish these streams.
What belongs in the denominator?
Clearly establish whether the percentage refers to:
- the entire product;
- the plastic part of a product;
- a specific component;
- a layer within a multilayer structure;
- a family of products covered by a common calculation method.
In RC, additives, fillers and masterbatches are not counted as recycled material in the numerator, but are included in the mass of the assessed material in the denominator. A favourable layer cannot simply be selected and its result presented as the share in the entire product. Scheme v2.2 requires all layers of a coextruded material to be included; separate non-plastic components require a correctly defined scope and an unambiguous claim.
Example
A component weighs 100 g and contains 60 g of certified recycled material, 35 g of virgin plastic and 5 g of additives. If the claim refers to the entire component, its recycled content is 60%.
PCR and PreCR
If the 60 g of recycled material consists of 40 g of PCR and 20 g of PreCR, the total recycled content can be stated as 60%, but the PCR share is 40% and the PreCR share is 20%, provided the scope and reporting method allow this distinction.
Controlled blending
When recycled material is physically mixed with virgin material or additives, the proportion should be known and supported by the recipe or actual dosing. Accounting allocation must not replace physical recycled content.
Check the result against the volume reconciliation
If a company claims 50% recycled content across a large production volume, its purchases and consumption of recycled material must support that result. The calculation for an individual product should therefore be consistent with the volume reconciliation.
The minimum across batches and rounding
Where recycled content varies in RC, the reported value corresponds to the lowest level identified during the assessment period for the relevant scope. A more favourable average does not replace it. The result is rounded down: for example, 49.99% does not justify a claim of 50%. The precision used in the report, certificate and certification mark must follow the applicable scheme instructions.
Common errors
- dividing by the wrong mass;
- combining PCR and PreCR without distinguishing them;
- counting internal regrind as a new source of recycled material;
- using the nominal recipe despite different actual dosing;
- claiming a percentage for the entire product when the data covers only one component.
Key takeaway
Every percentage needs three elements: a clearly defined scope, reliable material origin and data that allows the calculation to be reproduced.