A Novel Recycling Framework for Enchanting the Sustainability in Anti-Greenwashing

Plastic waste upcycling into useful and high-value products is becoming an important part of the circular economy. Many recycling systems today use IoT and blockchain to track waste collection and transportation, but they still cannot prove whether the final product actually contains recycled plastic from the claimed batch. Because of this gap, companies can make false recycling claims, leading to greenwashing and reduced consumer trust. To address this issue, this paper introduces a Proof-of-Recycling (PoR) framework. The system works in two ways. First, it uses IoT sensors to monitor and verify the actual operation of recycling machines by capturing unique multi-sensor activity patterns. Second, it embeds a physical watermark into the recycled plastic so that the final product can be traced back to its original batch, allowing verification even at the consumer level. The proposed system is designed for eco-conscious premium brands such as Behtar, which convert plastic waste into high-quality products and want to provide clear proof of sustainability. A cybersecurity layer is also included to protect the system through digitally signed machine data, controlled access, and privacy safeguards, ensuring that the recycling records cannot be tampered with. Overall, the PoR framework helps prevent fraud, supports regulatory compliance, and increases transparency in circular manufacturing. Most importantly, it builds stronger trust between brands and consumers by providing reliable proof that products are genuinely made from recycled materials.