Launched in October 2018 by the Ellen MacArthur Foundation and the UN Environment Programme, the New Plastics Economy Global Commitment unites businesses, governments, and other organisations from around the world behind a common vision of a circular economy for plastic, in which it never becomes waste or pollution. The Global Commitment brings together over 500 signatories that are determined to start building a circular economy for plastics. Signatory governments and businesses representing 20% of all plastic packaging produced globally have committed to change how we produce, use, and reuse plastic.

Goals and Impact:

The Global Commitment is designed around a vision of a circular economy for plastic, including six points:

1. Elimination of problematic or unnecessary plastic packaging through redesign, innovation, and new delivery models is a priority
2. Reuse models are applied where relevant, reducing the need for single-use packaging
3. All plastic packaging is 100% reusable, recyclable, or compostable
4. All plastic packaging is reused, recycled, or composted in practice
5. The use of plastic is fully decoupled from the consumption of finite resources
6. All plastic packaging is free of hazardous chemicals, and the health, safety, and rights of all people involved are respected. 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. The uptake of recycled plastic by Global Commitment signatories represents CO2 savings equivalent to taking over 350,000 cars off the road.