The Ellen MacArthur Foundation and the United Nations Environment Programme have published the Global Commitment 2021 Progress Report, showing how businesses accounting for 20% of all plastic packaging produced globally, have progressed towards their 2025 targets to create a circular economy for plastics. The third annual report demonstrates clear progress from brands and retailers on reducing virgin plastic use, but more effort is needed to reduce the need for single-use packaging in the first place.
Key insights from the report include:
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After decades of growth, virgin plastic use appears to have peaked for Global Commitment brands and retailers and is set to fall faster by 2025
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Progress has largely been driven by recycling, but that is not enough to solve plastic pollution – much more focus is urgently needed on eliminating single-use packaging
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A large number of businesses and countries are supportive of a global agreement on plastic pollution, recognising voluntary initiatives alone will not be enough
