We must change how we design, use, and reuse plastics. We cannot simply recycle or reduce our way out of the plastic pollution crisis. If we don’t act now, by 2050 there could be more plastic than fish in the oceans.
A circular economy for plastic
The circular economycircular economyA systems solution framework that tackles global challenges like climate change, biodiversity loss, waste, and pollution. It is based on three principles, driven by design: eliminate waste and pollution, circulate products and materials (at their highest value), and regenerate nature. considers every stage of a product’s journey – before and after it reaches the customer. This approach is not only vital to stop plastic pollution, it also offers strong economic, social, and climate benefits. By 2040 a circular economy has the potential to:
reduce the annual volume of plastics entering our oceans by 80%
reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 25%
generate savings of USD 200 bn per year
create 700,000 net additional jobs
The circular economy considers every stage of a product’s journey – before and after it reaches the customer.
To create a circular economy for plastic we must take three actions:
Eliminate
Eliminate all problematic and unnecessary plastic items
Innovate
Innovate to ensure that the plastics we do need are reusable, recyclable, or compostable.
Circulate
Circulate all the plastic items we use to keep them in the economy and out of the environment
From voluntary actions to a legally-binding global treaty
The Global Commitment has delivered measurable progress towards tackling plastic waste, as well as driving change far beyond the signatory group. However, the world is still off track to stop plastic pollution. Voluntary action is important – but it’s not sufficient by itself. Global rules are crucial to creating a level-playing field and driving change, including stimulating investment and innovation.
A UN treaty based on legally-binding global rules and comprehensive circular economy measures represents a unique opportunity to accelerate systems change and end plastic pollution. This chance to drive positive global action must not be missed. Concrete policy instruments and measures need to be agreed if we are to stop plastic waste leaking into our seas and onto our lands. As part of this, mandatory Extended Producer Responsibility policies are needed to ensure all industry players fund the collection and treatment of plastic packaging.
To help drive change, the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, along with WWF, have convened the Business Coalition for a Global Plastics Treaty. The coalition, that includes more than 200 businesses across the plastics value chain, financial institutions and NGOs, is asking for an ambitious UN treaty that brings plastics into a circular economy and stops them becoming waste.
There is shared ambition. Now we need shared action.
