The Plastics Pact Network’s Six-Year Journey Towards Eliminating Plastic Pollution and Waste
A proven model for tackling plastic pollution
The way that we currently produce and use plastics poses a major risk to people and the planet.
The Plastics Pact Network is a globally coordinated response to this world-wide problem. Plastic Pacts have achieved the elimination of over 360,000 tonnes of problematic and unnecessary plastics, which has prevented billions of items entering landfills or filtering into the environment.
Our network's work, rooted in a Blueprint for collaborative systems change, now spans every continent, engaging 19 countries and over 900 local and global organisations.
In some Pact countries, rates of recycled content in plastic packaging have tripled. Overall, members of Plastics Pacts prevented the use of over 2.2 million tonnes of virgin plastic by 2022.
The power of the Pact Network
- Proven Impact - Plastics Pacts have demonstrated their effectiveness in creating substantial change. They have successfully eliminated, avoided, or redesigned tens of billions of problematic or unnecessary plastic items on national, regional, and global scales within a short timeframe.
- Inform and Enable a Global Treaty - Voluntary action needs to be complemented by robust policy. The Plastics Pacts are uniquely placed to inform and support in implementing a future Global Plastics Treaty at national level.
- Future Vision - The Plastics Pact Network is ready to amplify its impact even further, leveraging existing mechanisms, mobilised stakeholders, and the insights gained so far. Our goal is to 'supercharge' the Network, accelerating its influence and scalability both nationally and globally.
To achieve this, the Network will:
- Address Key Challenges: Enhance focus on scaling infrastructure, promoting reuse, and innovating flexible packaging solutions.
- Ensure a Just Transition: Integrate equitable practices within the circular economy strategy.
- Inform Policy: Place greater emphasis on shaping and influencing policy decisions.
Scaling Impact case studies
See how the Plastics Pact Network has been overcoming complex challenges on their journey to eliminating plastic pollution.
Elimination of problematic plastics – Poland
The Polish Pact developed a list of 17 items classified as problematic and unnecessary, in collaboration with its members and waste management experts, ensuring national relevance. Pact retail members have implemented this list in their work.
Tackling complex challenges (flexibles) – India
In India, items such as single-use sachets are used in large volumes and are especially difficult to collect and recycle. The Indian Plastics Pact has identified key barriers and opportunities to tackle the challenge and is funding design innovations to unlock solutions for flexibles. It is also developing a roadmap to address films and flexibles.
Scaling-up reuse and refill models – ANZPAC (Australia, New Zealand and Pacific Islands)
The ANZPAC provides its members market insights, collaboration and peer to peer learning opportunities to accelerate reuse. Its reuse working group has run a study on enablers and success factors for reuse to support the development of collaborative projects.
Empowering the voice of the informal waste sector – South Africa
The South African Plastics Pact works with the African Reclaimers’ Organisation (ARO), representing up to 150,000 informal plastic waste workers. The Pact’s 2030 targets include a focus on designing people and livelihoods into a circular economy for plastic packaging.
Sending the right signals to the market – US
The US Plastics Pact has developed a strategy to increase the incorporation of Post-consumer Recycled Content (PCR) back into packaging. The Pact has developed a PCR procurement toolkit and nearly all packaging users have made public commitments to use PCR.
Informing policy to drive circularity – Chile
The Chilean Plastics Pact has made presentations at the senate on various occasions, providing evidence related to the law on single-use plastic now being implemented, and showing what is possible in terms of the elimination, reuse and recycling of regulated items.
Download our case study annex below for more info.
Scaling Impact - case studies
See how the Plastics Pact Network has been overcoming complex challenges on their journey to eliminating plastic pollution.
Global Plastics Treaty
The Plastics Pact Network is demonstrating the power and impact that can be achieved through collaborative voluntary action, but it is not enough to end plastic pollution globally. Some challenges are systemic and require the broader scope of a Global Plastics Treaty to address effectively.
As we enter the build-up to the fifth session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee in South Korea, we continue to highlight the impact of the Plastics Pact Network. This global network convened by WRAP and the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, stands as a globally aligned response to plastic waste and pollution and serves as a vital mechanism for nations to fulfil their obligations under the forthcoming Global Treaty to End Plastic Pollution.
Our briefing for policymakers below contains a summary of our policy recommendations.
Download files
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Scaling Impact - Pacts Report
PDF, 41.88 MB
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Scaling Impact - Executive summary
PDF, 5.18 MB
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Scaling Impact - Case Studies
PDF, 10.89 MB
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Scaling Impact - Policy Briefing
PDF, 6.45 MB
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