RecyClass Sorting Process Certification

First Sorting is the first stage of separating incoming waste into distinct material categories. Secondary Sorting involves more detailed sorting of Plastic Waste, for example by polymer, format, colour or product type. A single site may operate both stages if it meets the requirements for input materials, traceability, storage, flows, quality and process outputs.

The required information includes, among other things, the post-consumer / pre-consumer category, waste source, sector and country of origin, and the relevant collection system, such as Separate Collection. A Sorting Centre should hold the permits and other documents required for the streams actually received and processed, including – where applicable – documentation for transboundary waste shipments.

Specifications may cover origin, source, collection system, country of origin, waste code, material composition, permitted contamination, supplier and material quantity. The storage system should allow Input Waste and Plastic Waste to be identified through area, bale or container labelling, weighing systems, batch numbers, internal codes, ERP and intake/dispatch documentation.

Volume Reconciliation shows the material flow over the assessed period: Input Waste → Sorting Process → Plastic Waste / Other Waste / remaining streams. It may include inventory changes, waste not directed to recycling, material sorted by subcontractors and other relevant flows. The auditor compares the balance with the actual operational capacity of the site and equipment.

The scope may cover specific streams such as PET, PE-HD, PE-LD, PP, PS, EPS, PVC, PO and appropriate blends or other materials falling within the scheme. Subcontracted Sorting must be properly reflected in traceability, transport documentation, downstream material flow and Volume Reconciliation.

Module Alpha contains additional requirements for relevant Sorting Processes and Waste Trader Activities involving materials intended for downstream Food Contact recycling. It addresses, among other things, waste origin, collection system, stream segregation, traceability and quality assurance. It does not by itself confirm the safety of the final recycled plastic for food-contact use.

Module Beta covers Corporate Social Responsibility requirements. It is mandatory for Sorting Centres applying for process certification outside the EU27 as well as Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Switzerland and the United Kingdom; in those markets it may be applied optionally. The scope covers, among other things, CSR policy, management responsibility, social standards and working conditions.

Full-operational Certification is based on 12 months of data and is valid for 2 years. Limited-operational Certification may apply with at least 3 months of data and is valid for 1 year. Pre-operational Certification applies to a process that has not yet started operations or does not have production data and is valid for 3 months. Monitoring renews an existing certification based on the next data period; Multisite may cover at least two sites operating under a common system.

Under Multisite Certification, the physical audit may be conducted on a sample of sites while the remaining sites are assessed remotely; all sites should be visited during the full cycle of subsequent audits. Certification status should be communicated in line with the current RecyClass Use of Claims Guidance and Certification Marks rules. Almaland does not provide consulting services for preparing a specific client for certification.