Plastics Pact Network
A globally aligned network of local groups working to put a circular economy for plastic into...
Six years in, Plastics Pacts are a proven model for tackling plastic pollution. Thanks to Plastics Pacts, tens of billions of problematic or unnecessary plastic items have been eliminated; design for reusability, recyclability and composability in practice and at scale has increased by 23%; and incorporation of recycled content back into packaging has increased by 44%.
Today there are a dozen Plastics Pacts in countries representing over 2 billion people and spread across all continents, forming a global network with a proven track record of delivering real impact towards eliminating plastic waste and pollution.
The Ellen MacArthur Foundation, in partnership with WRAP, is developing a report that will share the impact and learnings from the past 6 years of the Plastics Pact Network, as well as how they will continue to be a driving force of local, collaborative action around the world, informing and complementing national policy and a Global Plastics Treaty.
The full report will be available in June 2024. Coinciding with the fourth round of negotiations for a Global Plastics Treaty, an Executive Summary document and a Briefing for Policymakers are now available.
Plastics Pacts are well-established platforms for collaboration, evidence-based knowledge creation, as well as sharing and creating transparency. Our model has yielded tangible results on the ground, fostering a robust network of stakeholders committed to accountable action at national, regional, and global levels.
The Plastics Pact Network is demonstrating the swift and impressive impact that can be achieved through collaborative voluntary action, but this is not enough. The learnings so far reinforce the need for additional, and more ambitious, binding policy measures, as well as accelerated voluntary business action. This cannot be an either/or: both are crucial to tackling plastic waste and pollution at the pace and scale required.
The Plastics Pacts are uniquely placed to inform and support in implementing a future Global Plastics Treaty at national level. The Plastics Pact Network offers a proven means of engaging stakeholders in the plastics value chain, and helping them to make the changes that are needed, at pace.
The international legally binding instrument on plastic pollution presents a once-in-a-generation opportunity. An ambitious Global Plastics Treaty would significantly accelerate policy and business action around the world.
For more detail on these critical findings, see the Executive Summary:
The Ellen MacArthur Foundation works to accelerate the transition to a circular economy. We develop and promote the idea of a circular economy, and work with business, academia, policymakers, and institutions to mobilise systems solutions at scale, globally.
Charity Registration No.: 1130306
OSCR Registration No.: SC043120
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The work of the Ellen MacArthur Foundation is supported by our Strategic Partners and Partners.