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  • An action-oriented set of methods, mindsets and thought starters to help innovators design circular solutions that are fit for the future.

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  • The New Plastics Economy is an ambitious, three-year initiative to build momentum towards a plastics system that works.

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Systemic initiatives

The Systemic Initiatives aim to accelerate the global transition towards a circular economy by applying circular principles to key material streams. Working with businesses, governments, philanthropists, innovators, and NGOs, Systemic Initiatives spark unprecedented levels of cross-sectoral collaboration and innovation.

The Systemic Initiatives emerged under the umbrella of Project Mainstream, a CEO-led global initiative by the World Economic Forum and the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, with the aim to help scale business driven circular economy innovations.

The Systemic Initiatives bring together leading businesses, governments, philanthropists, innovators, NGOs, and citizens to transform key material flows and scale the circular economy globally.

Rob Opsomer, Lead, Systemic Initiatives

Systemic initiatives activities

New plastics economy

New plastics economy

Brings together key industry stakeholders to create a circular economy for plast...

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Make fashion circular

Make fashion circular

For fashion to thrive in the future, we must join forces and design a circular e...

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Food initiative

Food initiative

Igniting a food system transformation...

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Selection of the New Plastics Economy Innovation Prize Winners

Evoware

Evoware

Seaweed-based packaging that replaces billions of small bits of plastics with a nutrient boost.

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TrioCup

TrioCup

A one-piece cup that eliminates the need for plastic lids.

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Delta

Delta

An edible or water soluble sachet solution for restaurants and other hospitality businesses.

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Systems-level change

In order to tackle complex global challenges, a truly systemic approach is needed. It is only by understanding a system deeply, stimulating unprecedented collaboration, and designing catalytic interventions can we start to shift it in a positive direction. Plastics, fibres, and food are among the most iconic materials in the global economy. Applying the principles of a circular economy to managing them represents significant potential for business, environmental, and societal benefits. Taking such a systemic approach to how we make, use, and reuse these materials offers the chance to move towards an economy that works in the long term.

Systems-level change

Related Events

The World Economic Forum

The World Economic Forum’s (WEF) Annual General meeting returned to Davos, Switzerland. This year’s overarching theme is Globalization 4.0: Shaping a Global Architecture in the Age of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, and as in previous years, the circular economy is on the agenda.

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The World Economic Forum

Must-reads for Systemic Initiatives

To find out more about our Systemic Initiatives, the following publications are accessible and available to download freely.

June 2019 Report

First Global Commitment report

Report

Download

Cities & CE For Food

Shifting to a Circular Economy for Food

Report

Download

The New Plastics Economy:

Rethinking the future of plastics & Catalysing action

Report

Download

A New Textiles Economy:

Redesigning fashion’s future

Report

Download

Key Systemic Content

Circulate

Regenerative agriculture: how it works on the ground

“The soil is the great connector of our lives, the source and destination of us all” — Wendell Berry

Case Study

Saving our seas, one factory at a time

A huge volume of organic waste is generated each year which is expensive to dispose of and leads to harmful methane...

News

New Plastics Economy Global Commitment Spring 2019 Report launched

News

#WearNext - Make Fashion Circular joins forces with City of New York and fashion industry to tackle clothing waste

Today, some of the biggest names in fashion collaborate for the first time in a campaign to save clothes from land...

Case Study

Full spectrum circularity in the apparel industry

After a typically short use span, 86% of clothing is either landfilled or burned; 13% is downcycled and less than 1%...

News

New Ellen MacArthur Foundation report finds unhealthy food production makes healthy eating impossible

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