Ecosurety joins the New Plastics Economy Global Commitment

The first New Plastics Economy Global Commitment report published today (downloadable from here) reveals the targets and initial steps taken by over 350 signatories to the commitment to eliminate plastics waste and pollution.

Launched by the Ellen MacArthur Foundation in collaboration with UN Environment, the report details for the first time, side-by-side, how brands, governments and other organisations are tackling plastic pollution. This includes 30 companies publicly disclosing their annual plastic packaging volumes, in a step towards greater transparency.

A ‘new normal’ for plastic packaging

The Global Commitment aims to create ‘a new normal’ for plastic packaging, with signatories committing to:

• Eliminate problematic or unnecessary plastic packaging and move from single-use to reuse packaging models
• Innovate to ensure 100% of plastic packaging can be easily and safely reused, recycled, or composted by 2025
• Circulate the plastic produced, by significantly increasing the volumes of plastic reused or recycled into new packaging

As signatories to the commitment, consumer goods companies and retailers commit to increase recycled content in their packaging to an average of 25% by 2025, compared with the current global average of just 2%.

Leading businesses and governments also commit to end the use of problematic and unnecessary plastics, including straws, PVC and carrier bags, many by the end of this year.

 

 

More action is required now

Ecosurety has joined the commitment in recognition of the investment, specialist consultancy and support committed over the next two years to innovative new recycling technologies, such as the PolyMet project run by Impact Solutions.

The PolyMet project seeks to remove the colour from traditionally low-value, coloured plastics that are often not recycled, transforming them into a higher-value material that is retained within a circular plastics economy.

New Plastics Economy lead Sander Defruyt commented “The targets and action plans set out in this report are a significant step forward compared with the pace of change of past decades. However, they are still far from truly matching the scale of the problem, particularly when it comes to elimination of unnecessary items and innovation towards reuse models.

Ambition levels must continue to rise to make real strides in addressing global plastic pollution by 2025, and moving from commitment to action is crucial. Major investments, innovations, and transformation programmes need to be started now, to realise the impact by 2025.”

James Piper, CEO of Ecosurety commented “The report released today marks a milestone of commitment and action from an unprecedented group of organisations, one that we are extremely proud to be part of.

We also recognise that more action to create a truly circular economy for plastic packaging is desperately required now, which is why Ecosurety is committed to invest in innovative new recycling technologies and infrastructure on behalf of our members.”

 

 

Read our 2018 impact report to find out more about the impact Ecosurety is making on UK recycling.

 

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