More than 290 organisations have signed the „New Plastics Economy Global Commitment“. This means that around 20 per cent of all producers of plastic packaging around the world are united behind the goal of ensuring that 100 per cent of plastic packaging is reused, recycled or composted by 2025.
The agreement was signed by the Ellen MacArthur Foundation in collaboration with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). It was presented to the public at the „Our Ocean Conference“ on 29 and 30 October 2018 in Bali, Indonesia. The signatories to the target agreement include plastic-producing companies as well as brand manufacturers, retailers and recycling companies. Global corporations such as Danone, H&M, L'Oreal, Mars, PepsiCo, Coca-Cola and Unilever are among the signatories.
In addition to the goal of not simply throwing away any more plastic by 2025, the „New Plastics Economy Global Commitment“ also encourages people to avoid unnecessary plastic packaging and to do without problematic packaging. Disposable packaging made of plastic should no longer be used wherever possible. The aim of a consistent Circular economy for the reuse and recycling of plastics is supported by a large number of international organisations.
„Our Ocean Conference“ combats marine pollution
By embedding the „New Plastics Economy Global Commitment“ in the annual „Our Ocean“ conference, the importance of the agreed measures for reducing „Marine Litter“ emphasised. The aim of the major international conference was also to minimise the threat posed to the oceans by Microplastic waste in the sea. During the conference, several international players pledged to spend considerably more on researching and combating pollution in the world's oceans.
The European Union for example, has been participating in the conference since 2014. Its responsible Commissioner Karmenu Vella recalled in Bali that the EU has since made 50 commitments in the spirit of the conference. These totalled more than 550 million euros.
German companies have also signed
As a result of the conference, several companies from German-speaking countries committed themselves to the goals of the „New Plastics Economy Global Commitment“. Among other things Alpla announced that it will invest a total of 50 million euros by 2025 to make all packaging produced recyclable by then.
Also Werner & Mertz signed the declaration. In this context, the medium-sized Mainz-based company referred to its successful recyclate initiative. The company already follows a genuine closed-loop principle and no longer uses crude oil for the production of plastic packaging, said Managing Partner Reinhardt Schneider. Instead, 100 per cent of the „yellow bag“ is used as a source of recyclable material.
[infotext icon]Here you will find all signatories of the declaration of commitmentYou can find more information on the „New Plastics Economy Global Commitment“ on the initiative's website. A list of all signatories is also available there.
