Business unites for once-in-a-lifetime Global Plastic Treaty

We have joined 200+ organizations in the Business Coalition for a Global Plastic Treaty.

While voluntary actions have shown promise in driving change, they will not solve plastic pollution on their own. Business wants harmonized regulation that can tackle the entire lifecycle of plastic products. This is why we have joined over 200 organizations in the Business Coalition for a Global Plastics Treaty, convened by the Ellen MacArthur Foundation and WWF, to advocate for a legally binding, ambitious treaty that tackles the entire lifecycle of plastic products. We need a level playing field, where business is inspired, supported, and held accountable - equally.

There is unprecedented agreement across the plastics value chain on a number of realistic and achievable globally binding rules, which can and should underpin an effective treaty. There is no time to waste, and ambition is critical to success. The UN member state governments have agreed to 'end plastic pollution.' We must not settle for a treaty that falls short of delivering this goal.

1. Reduction of plastic production and circular economy approach

It includes plastics that have high leakage rates, are short-lived, and/or made of fossil-based virgin resources. For example:

• Eliminate plastic materials, components or additives that hinder recyclability or compostability, or have a high risk of leaking into nature, including intentionally-added microplastics
• Move away from single-use plastics in favour of reusable and more durable solutions whenever possible, reducing overall material consumption and environmental impact
• Substitute with alternative materials if they can be effectively circulated in practice and at scale, and demonstrate reduced environmental impacts

2. Circulation of all non-eliminated plastic items at their highest value in the economy

It includes plastic items that cannot be eliminated. For example:

• Design products and systems for all plastics to be reused, recycled, or composted in practice and at scale
• Accelerate the uptake of new business and delivery models at scale that reduce the need for single-use and short-lived applications
• Mobilise sufficient, ongoing, and dedicated public and private funding for infrastructure and systems to collect, sort, and recycle plastics
• Increase the volume and quality of recycled plastics that can be used in a broad range of uses
• Transition away from landfill, incineration, and waste-to-energy towards implementing locally relevant circular solutions over time

3. Prevention and remediation of remaining, hard-to-abate micro and macro packaging leakage into the environment

It includes robust waste management practices and tackling legacy pollution. For example:

• Strengthen waste management governance and infrastructure to improve practices for safe disposal of all plastic that cannot be eliminated or circulated
• Establish and improve collection systems to reach high collection rates
• Prevent the release of microplastics into the environment from, for example, abrasion, fibre shedding or pellet loss
• Coordinate global efforts to address the damage caused by ongoing and legacy plastic pollution, protecting the most affected and vulnerable communities and ecosystems

Business needs global rules

Ahead of the fourth round of negotiations in April of 2024, the Business Coalition has released a video on why business needs global rules:

Business Coalition leaders speak up for a treaty

In advance of the third round of negotiations in November 2023, CEOs and regional CEOs of Borealis, Danone, Henkel​, Nestlé​, Okeanos​, PepsiCo​, ​The Coca Cola​ Company, Ternova, TOMRA​, and Unilever called for a legally binding treaty that creates a level playing field for entire industries – avoiding a patchwork of disconnected national efforts.

Why is a strong treaty good for business?

• Driving harmonized legislation and standards across countries, lowering compliance costs and operational complexity
• Leveling the playing field between multinationals and local companies
• Mandating shared financing of waste management across the value chain
• Requiring voluntary industry best practices become mandatory for all
• Enabling packaging regulations to support our Net Zero commitments