The Good Plastic Company Achieves Cradle to Cradle Certified® Status for Polygood™ 

We are thrilled to share that The Good Plastic Company has received Cradle to Cradle Certified® Bronze status for our innovative Polygood™ surface material, made from 100% recycled and recyclable polystyrene. 

This certification propels Polygood™ to the forefront of the sustainable surface materials segment, offering architects, designers, and brands a trusted solution backed by rigorous analysis, audit, and testing. Polygood™ is the first material of its kind to achieve this certification, solidifying The Good Plastic Company’s position as an industry leader in sustainable materials and marking a significant milestone for the company. 

As the impacts of climate change become increasingly evident worldwide, circular economy solutions have become a prominent subject of discussion across all industry sectors. In the field of architecture and design, choice of materials holds significance not only for the environment but also for social well-being and as a way to highlight shared values with the people who use the spaces in which they are used.  

These drivers compel architects and designers to look for alternative solutions that have a less detrimental impact on the planet. In order to prove product manufacturers’ claimed social and environmental credentials, they often engage third-party organisations like the Cradle to Cradle Products Innovation Institute (C2C) to audit and certify products against objective standards. 

What does Cradle to Cradle Certified® mean? 

This certification is a leading multi-attribute standard used globally across industries by designers, brands and manufacturers to design and make products that enable a healthy, equitable and sustainable future. The Cradle to Cradle Certified® Product Standard provides the framework to assess the safety, circularity and responsibility of materials and products across five categories of sustainability performance: material health, product circularity, clean air and climate protection, water and soil stewardship, and social fairness. The Cradle to Cradle Certified® programme promotes transparency, building trust between market demands and product producers by verifying statements regarding progress towards a circular and climate-oriented economy. 

Сertification Process 

To attain this respected certification, The Good Plastic Company underwent a rigorous audit by a team of qualified experts who scrutinised all aspects of the company’s operations, including supply chains, production, water, material, downstream stages, and other elements of the company’s Environmental Policy Strategy to ensure transparency and the responsible production of Polygood™ panels. They assessed the origin and traceability of the recycled polystyrene used for Polygood™ and verified that it is sourced from reliable and certified sources. 

During the audit, particular attention was given to the origin and traceability of the recycled polystyrene used in the manufacturing of Polygood™. The experts verified that our raw material is sourced exclusively from reliable and certified suppliers. The company implemented a Know Your Business (KYB) procedure for each supplier, meticulously checking their accreditations and certifications to validate the origins, quality and non-toxicity of the recycled plastic they process. 

In addition to supply chain testing, Polygood™ also underwent a series of complex tests to assess material health. To ensure the highest level of safety for Polygood™, thorough testing for hazardous metals and halogens has been carried out in strict compliance with EN 14582. These tests assessed its quality, performance and compliance with the strict standards set by the Cradle to Cradle Certified® standard. Following successful completion of all tests, it was verified that Polygood™ is free from any harmful chemicals and deemed safe for usage.  

C2C’s experts also paid close attention to the production processes used by The Good Plastic Company. They studied the company’s operations to assess energy use, waste management and emissions. The team scrutinised production methods, making sure they are in line with sustainability principles and aimed at minimising environmental impact, and confirmed that they have no negative impact on indoor and outdoor air quality. The comprehensive assessment included the use of renewable energy sources, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and implementing efficient waste management systems. The Good Plastic Company is renowned for its innovative technology and recognised for its superior energy efficiency in contrast to alternative plastic recycling methods. Heat-pressing with separate heating and cooling stages has been selected as our primary production technology due to its lower energy consumption compared to other methods. Additionally, it is noteworthy that processing the polystyrene (PS) utilised in Polygood™ consumes less energy when compared to high density polyethylene (HDPE) and polypropylene (PP), among other types of plastic. 

The Good Plastic Company has also affirmed its commitment to preserving water and land resources without causing any harm. Water consumption is strictly limited to essential household and cleaning needs, and no water is used in the production process. 

The audit also evaluated the company’dedication to social responsibility. The Good Plastic Company upholds national and international human rights norms and principles, and it has undergone a comprehensive audit in alignment with the SMETA (SEDEX) international system. 

Last but not least, The Good Plastic Company offers a Take-Back Programme for Polygood™ material to preserve a connection with its products throughout their lifecycle, facilitating the collection of materials for reintegration into the production cycle at the end of their current economic life. 

The Cradle to Cradle certificate itself is valid for a period of four years and can be renewed through new audits. This ensures that The Good Plastic Company remains committed to meeting the required standards and maintains the strict criteria set by the certification at all times, including keeping up with evolving requirements. 

Shaping the Future 

At The Good Plastic Company, we are proud to have received Cradle to Cradle Certified® status for Polygood™. This recognition reaffirms our unwavering dedication to sustainable practices and our commitment to shaping a better future. We firmly believe that by embracing the principles of circularity and responsible manufacturing, we can create a positive impact and lead the way towards a more sustainable world. For the future, The Good Plastic Company will continue to be transparent and to strive for new achievements in sustainability, while supporting positive transformations within our wider industry. 

We extend our sincere gratitude to the Cradle to Cradle Products Innovation Institute for its expertise and guidance throughout this certification journey. 
 

For more information about our Cradle to Cradle Certified® Polygood™ material and our sustainability initiatives, please contact us at hello@thegoodplasticcompany.com.