FAQs

We have three key services: 

• Carbon Saving Statements (CSS) Recycling organisations that have successfully certificated their materials or products are able to use this valuable and low-cost service to determine, and then demonstrate, the amount of carbon saved by their operations. This saving is normally calculated quarterly and quantified a formal statement. These statements may be used internally as an expression of genuine progress to net zero or transferred with SCG’s help to a customer or other organisation that wishes to do the same. 
• Low Carbon Products (LCP). This scheme has been created to independently certify that recycled material has been used in the manufacture of products. For recyclers we certify that the product is wholly generated from fully recycled material. Certification and our LCP fingerprint logo underpin your green credentials. 
• Sustainably Sourced Plastics (SSP). This scheme has been created to independently certify that recycled plastic has been used in the manufacture of products and packaging. For plastic recyclers we certify that the product is wholly generated from fully recycled plastic. Certification and our SSP fingerprint logo underpin your green credentials and provides a mechanism for the avoidance of packaging tax.

SCG provides an independent certification service that, through a range of product tests and audits, can validate the recycled content of a product. 

This can be used for compliance purposes, to support sustainability claims, highlight to customers product quality, and avoid greenwashing. 

The accreditation logo is also a simple and quick way for customers to recognise that your product complies with legislation such as the Plastic Packaging Tax. Need more persuading? Read more on our Sustainable Certification page.

We initially focussed on plastic packaging materials reflecting their high carbon impacts, emerging legislation, and consumer interest in plastics. Our Sustainably Sourced Plastics can   independently certify that the recycled plastic content of a material is such that Plastic Packaging Tax is not applicable. 

More recently the scheme has been extended to cover most common plastics and a second scheme, Low Carbon Products, has been developed to cover non plastic materials. 

Our Carbon Saving Certificates cover materials we have certified in one or other of certification scheme. 

Governments, trade bodies and many sustainability experts recommend that understanding your carbon footprint is the best place to start when planning to cut carbon emissions so that progress can be quantified. Emissions are characterised into three types: 

• Scope 1: Emissions directly related to your activities eg fuel combustion, waste processing transport, air conditioning  
• Scope 2: Emissions indirectly generated by your activities - predominantly the consumption of purchased energy for heating and cooling. 

• Scope 3: Emissions not under your direct control but are generated by your supply chains and operations. They arise from s materials and fuels used for production, manufacturing, commuting, leased and sold goods and services and waste solids and liquids. They tend to be more difficult to quantify and reduce.  

SCG’s schemes and its Carbon Saving Statements fall into this scope 3 category.  The measures taken are increasingly described as carbon insetting. 

Our team of practitioners have extensive experience in sustainable manufacturing, auditing, business support and management systems.

We have utilised this understanding to create certification schemes that work in the ‘real world’ to validate compliance and customer assurance.

Our robust evidence portfolios capture the necessary information to enable you to meet the certification requirements, and demonstrate that you have achieved independent validation of your process or products.

• Supports supply chain emissions reductions through verification of use of sustainability focussed materials (i.e. recycled content) across several stages of the product journey.
• Having a recognised certification could make your product a first choice for organisations looking to make more environmentally friendly procurement choices.
• Carbon Savings: carbon savings can be identified through the use of alternative materials.These can contribute to reducing Scope 3 emissions reporting (e.g. through recycled content materials use). For eligible processes and products, SCG’s Low Carbon certification can capture these savings for you or your customers.

• It is a standard developed by consensus with industry experts and public consultation
• Created with independent and rigorous facilitation (BSi)
• Developed for the Packaging Industry.
• Focused on techniques that handle pellets and end products
• Standard is currently for rigid plastic only (films may be applicable in future).
• Identifies the % content of Recyclate

• UK: In 2021, the UK government published its Net Zero Strategy, setting out a pathway to reaching net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. Since then, global and national economic circumstances have changed but the commitment to the 2050 target remains with progress milestones set down in UK law. Organisations may well be offsetting their carbon emissions by supporting renewable energy programmes or joining tree planting initiatives. However, offsetting does not have the same impact as actually reducing or eliminating carbon emissions.  
• Scotland: Scotland's ambitious climate change legislation sets a target date for net zero emissions of all greenhouse gases by 2045. To meet this target, a rapid transformation across all sectors of its economy and society is required. NHS Scotland is playing its part by aiming to become a net-zero health service by 2040  
• Wales: Wales has committed to net zero by 2050 but has set out ambitions to get there sooner. 
• Northern Ireland: Departments are required to ensure that 2050 emissions account for the are at least 100% lower than the baseline. 

Expert and independent third-party certification provides real assurance to the market and to stakeholders that your environmental credentials are genuine and realistic.

It is not expensive and represents value for money.