New plastics economy global commitment
The New Plastics Economy Global Commitment is a global initiative launched by the Ellen MacArthur Foundation in 2018 to address the issue of plastic waste and pollution. The commitment aims to create a circular economy for plastics, where plastics are designed to be recycled, reused, or biodegradable, and waste is minimized.
The commitment is a voluntary agreement between companies, governments, and organizations to work together to achieve a set of ambitious targets to reduce plastic waste and pollution. The targets include:
- Eliminate unnecessary and problematic plastics: By 2025, companies will eliminate the use of unnecessary and problematic plastics, such as single-use plastics, microbeads, and plastic straws.
- 100% reusable or recyclable packaging: By 2025, companies will ensure that 100% of their packaging is reusable or recyclable.
- 70% of plastic packaging recycled or reused: By 2025, companies will ensure that at least 70% of plastic packaging is recycled or reused.
- 30% reduction in plastic packaging: By 2025, companies will reduce their plastic packaging by at least 30%.
- 100% of plastic packaging designed to be recycled: By 2025, companies will design 100% of their plastic packaging to be recycled.
The commitment is supported by over 400 companies, including many of the world's largest consumer goods companies, retailers, and packaging manufacturers. Governments, NGOs, and other organizations are also involved in the initiative.
Some of the key companies that have made the commitment include:
- Unilever
- Procter & Gamble
- Coca-Cola
- PepsiCo
- Nestle
- Mars
- Danone
- L'Oréal
- Henkel
- Reckitt Benckiser
The New Plastics Economy Global Commitment has several benefits, including:
- Reducing plastic waste and pollution
- Conserving natural resources
- Reducing greenhouse gas emissions
- Creating new business opportunities and jobs
- Improving public health and well-being
To achieve the commitment, companies are taking a range of actions, including:
- Designing packaging to be reusable or recyclable
- Reducing the amount of plastic used in packaging
- Increasing the use of recycled plastic in packaging
- Implementing extended producer responsibility (EPR) policies
- Collaborating with other companies, governments, and NGOs to share best practices and drive change.
Overall, the New Plastics Economy Global Commitment is an important step towards creating a more circular and sustainable economy for plastics, and it has the potential to make a significant impact on reducing plastic waste and pollution.