TRANSFORMING THE WORLD'S PLASTIC SYSTEMS
Urgent global action is essential to reduce the environmental impact of plastic packaging and build a circular economy that benefits everyone.
We must act quickly and collaboratively, engaging the entire plastics value chain to address both ecological harm and social inequalities caused by the current linear system.
That's why WRAP is working with over 900 organisations across the globe to eliminate problematic plastics, scale up solutions, and drive systemic change.
Together we must create a circular system, keeping materials in the economy and out of our natural environment.
Priority actions for preventing problem plastics
Elimination of unnecessary and problematic plastics
The Plastics Pact network uses common criteria to identify and eliminate unnecessary and problematic plastics in international markets.
So far, 11 Pacts have removed 360,000 tonnes of such plastics.
Scaling reuse and refill
Reuse and refill systems are key to reducing single-use plastic packaging.
The Plastics Pact network is working with members to move from pilot projects to market-wide adoption, sharing insights to scale effective reuse and refill models.
Design for recyclability
All plastic packaging should be recyclable or compostable.
The Plastics Pact Network has supported industry changes, such as removing PET bottle colours and simplifying material streams, resulting in a 23% increase in the amount of packaging that is recyclable, reusable or compostable among Pact members globally.
Effective recycling
The Plastics Pact Network is raising recycling rates by shifting plastic waste away from landfills and into the economy.
More than 5 million tonnes of plastic have been recycled, with average rates reaching 21%, and in the UK achieving 55%.
Inclusion of recycled content
Plastic Pact members are reducing virgin plastic use by incorporating more recycled content. This reduces packaging’s carbon footprint.
So far, 2.2 million tonnes of virgin plastic have been replaced, with an average of 26% recycled content in packaging.
Delivering transformative change
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The Plastics Pact Network
Plastics Pacts have mobilised over 900 organisations in 19 countries around the world to collaborate towards a common vision and targets. Each Pact brings together businesses from across the full value chain, government bodies, NGOs and other stakeholders at national level.
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The UK Plastics Pact
The UK Plastics Pact - the trailblazer of the global network of Pacts, brings together businesses from across the plastics value chain, as well as UK governments and NGOs, to tackle the scourge of plastic waste. Pact members are responsible for over 75% of all consumer plastic packaging placed on the market in the UK. Their progress and actions have a significant impact.
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Recycle Now
Our Recycle Now campaign works with UK local authorities to educate and motivate citizens to increase recycling. A key resource is WRAP’s ‘Recycling Locator’ which enables people across the UK to find out where they can recycle specific items.
Progress and impact
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Plastic Pact Network Impact Report
The Plastics Pacts are driving large-scale impact, eliminating billions of problematic plastics, improving reusability and recyclability by 23%, and boosting recycled content in packaging by 44%. Learn more in the Plastics Pact Network’s first impact report.
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The UK Plastics Pact Annual Report
Since 2018, UK Plastics Pact members have achieved a 99.6% reduction in problematic plastics and increased recycled content from 8% to 24%. Discover how we’re meeting targets and driving collective plastic action by downloading the latest report.
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Global Treaty to End Plastic Pollution
A Global Plastics Treaty with binding rules would accelerate worldwide action. We're working with businesses, governments, and NGOs to end plastic pollution. Explore our involvement and views on key treaty elements.