New Plastics Economy

The New Plastics Economy Report by the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, outlines a blueprint for a more environmentally friendly plastics system. The report recognizes the plastic industry as the most representative of the current linear model of “make, take and dispose” and aims to disrupt the industry through innovation.

Currently, only 14% of plastic is collected for recycling globally, the rest of it is either incinerated, landfilled or ends up as litter, often in the ocean.

If we continue on this route, by 2050 oceans would contain more plastics than fish (in weight).

The report is not calling for an end to plastics. It is providing a new way of thinking about plastics as an effective global material flow that is aligned with the principals of the circular economy.

The report outlines three strategies and a set of actions needed by the industry to move towards a new plastics economy.

1. Redesign and Innovation
2. Reuse
3. Recycle

By redesigning, reusing and recycling plastic material, the industry will be able to make the transition towards the circular economy.

Download the New Plastics Economy report.