More than 250 companies have signed a new global commitment led by the Ellen McArthur Foundation in order to eradicate the plastic packaging waste and the pollution caused by that.
The ‘New Plastics Economy Global Commitment’ initiative was announced on 29 October at the Foundation’s ‘Our Ocean’ conference, held in Bali. The noble cause was launched in collaboration with UN environment, which leads the Global Partnership on Marine Litter and its ‘Clean Seas Campaign’ and aims to set a clear vision, and targets the issue.
Moreover, there is a vision of a circular economy for plastics where plastics never become waste. Some targets are set which will be reviewed every 18 months and become increasingly aspiring over the years. Some of the targets include the elimination of problematic and unnecessary plastic packaging through redesigning innovations and new delivery models, moving from single-use to reuse packaging models, introducing plastic packaging that is 100 per cent reusable, recyclable, and compostable by 2025. In addition to this, the goal is to ensure that plastic packaging is free of hazardous chemicals and the health, safety and the rights are respected by the people involved.
Dame Ellen MacArthur, Founder, Ellen MacArthur Foundation mentioned, “We know that cleaning up plastics from our beaches and oceans is vital, but this does not stop the tide of plastic entering the oceans each year. The initiative can lead to huge benefits for society, the economy, and the environment. I encourage all businesses and governments to go further and make the circular economy of plastic in which the material doesn’t become the waste of pollution.”
Burberry, H&M, Inditex, Stella McCartney, Marks & Spencer, Walmart, Selfridges, and Target Corporation are a few among the 250 retail brands that have signed the initiative. These companies will need to publish the annual data on their progress to help drive momentum and also ensure transparency.
Cecilia Brannsten, Environmental Sustainability Manager, H&M group said, “Plastic waste and pollution is a big global environmental challenge. At H&M group, we are committed to take the actions needed to shift the systems towards a circular use of plastic packaging where it never ends up as waste.”
She also added, “There is no single brand that can handle this challenge on its own. So, we must act as one voice and the initiative is a big step as it will align the business and government on the common agenda and time frame. Signing the global commitment is another step towards becoming 100 per cent circular and renewable in the business.”
It is worth mentioning that the initiative is being supported by the World-Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), and has been endorsed by the World Economic Forum, The Consumer Goods Forum, 40 universities, institutions, and academics. Also, more than 15 financial institutions have also endorsed and are ready to provide funding in the global commitment to create a circular economy for plastic.
