Our History

In July 2018, during a training session on compostable materials addressed to an environmental association, Giuseppe Sarua Cinquegrana, an expert in the subject, shared the idea of creating a system to accompany and enhance the Plastic Free pathways. 

This insight led to the creation of a team of 12 people with a strong interest in environmental protection, activists and experts in various strategic fields. The goal was clear: to create a Plastic Free Certification, an ambitious and necessary idea, as at the time nothing similar existed for those wishing to embark on a plastic reduction path.

In 2019, the Plastic Free Standard - Business Management System began to take shape thanks to the work of Luca Bazzani, an expert in European norms and standards. 

The company was founded in November of that year, and after almost a year of work, the first version of the Plastic Free Standard - Management System was completed. Thus Plastic Free Certification was officially born, becoming the first Plastic Free Standard certification body in the world.

In 2024 the new association Eco Sphere Academy was established, which has taken over the ownership and management function of certification schemes, research and development, and the promotion of environmental protection values. 

This allows PFC to focus and specialize in certification processes, auditing, and consultancy, while standards management is entrusted to experts and professionals who transparently and dedicatedly handle only certification schemes and research.

Over the ensuing years, Plastic Free Certification has continued to grow and attract interest from entities from around the world. Despite the challenges associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, the organization's commitment to environmental sustainability has remained strong, with the goal of promoting plastic reduction and the adoption of sustainable practices worldwide. 

To date, Plastic Free Certification runs three Plastic Free Certification Schemes (Management System - Product - Events) and supports restaurants, hotels, food companies and certified organizations on 5 continents.

in a world increasingly oriented towards mere economic growth we want to propose a growth model oriented in the direction of quality through the adoption of sustainable processes

Benefit

Plastic Free Certification has chosen to become a Benefit Company in order to adopt an approach that goes beyond the simple pursuit of corporate economic sustainability. 

Our commitment is focused on generating positive effects on people, communities, territories, environment, cultural and social assets. This legal status, recognized in Italy since 2015, commits us to operate in this direction in a responsible, sustainable and transparent way.

Our mission goes beyond mere certification; we do environmental research, actively promote sustainability awareness through dedicated events, support and disseminate good environmental practices, share information and knowledge, and enhance the efforts of organizations pursuing plastic reduction and sustainability.

Being a Benefit Society allows us to formalize our commitment to common benefit and support positive change in society. 

We are proud to be able to contribute to a broader global movement to promote positive social and environmental impact business, paralleling initiatives such as B Corporations in the United States and other forms of social enterprises around the world.

Report

in a world increasingly oriented towards mere economic growth we want to propose a growth model oriented in the direction of quality through the adoption of sustainable processes

Auditors