Activity Requirements - Circular Economy and Waste Systems

Gold Standard is seeking stakeholder feedback on new Activity Requirements for circular economy and waste systems activities under Gold Standard for the Global Goals (GS4GG). The document brings waste-related requirements together in one framework, covering activities from waste prevention and reuse to recycling, biological treatment, wastewater and sanitation services, landfill gas capture, and the restricted treatment of residual waste. 

The document is structured around core requirements that apply to all activities and five modules to be applied depending on the activity type. It sets out eligibility boundaries, applies the waste hierarchy, and includes safeguards on pollution, worker and community health, and the inclusion and protection of waste pickers. It also introduces documentation proportionate to activity scale and clarifies how eligibility applies where activities receive funding through legally mandated Extended Producer Responsibility schemes. 

The proposed Activity Requirement: 

• Establish eligibility requirements for activities that prevent waste generation, retain material value and reduce greenhouse gas emissions across solid waste, wastewater, sanitation and animal waste streams 
• Introduce a common Core and five activity-specific Modules covering waste prevention and reuse, material recovery and recycling, biological treatment and biofuels, wastewater and sanitation, and residual waste treatment. 
• Apply the waste hierarchy to eligibility and set documentation requirements proportionate to activity scale. 
• Clarifies the boundaries between CEWS and other GS4GG Activity Requirements. 
• Strengthen safeguards relating to pollution, worker and community health and safety, and the inclusion and protection of waste pickers. 
• Clarify eligibility for activities funded through legally mandated Extended Producer Responsibility schemes. 
• Set specific requirements for residual waste treatment, including evidence that input waste is residual and safeguards for incineration, refuse-derived fuel and landfill gas activities. 
• Include a VVB evidentiary checklist for each activity-specific module. 

We are particularly seeking feedback on: 

• The approach to activity boundaries and module allocation;  
• The waste hierarchy and residual waste eligibility;  
• Safeguards for waste pickers and other affected groups;  
• Scale-based documentation; and  
• The requirements for activities involving Extended Producer Responsibility, incineration, refuse-derived fuel and other residual waste treatment. 

Specific questions are given in the document for stakeholders’ reference.