The New Plastics Economy Global Commitment

What commitments should governments make under the Global Commitment?

To join the Global Commitment, governments commit to:

• Endorse the common vision for a circular economy for plastics
• Commit to collaborating with the private sector and NGOs to achieve the common vision
• Report annually (see examples here) and publicly on progress made in the 6 areas below
• Commit to actions that realise tangible progress towards the common vision by 2025, in the following 6 areas:

Government signatories need to set up quantitative baseline and target for area D from 2022, and set up quantitative baseline and target for 2 additional areas from 2023.

Examples of commitments

A. Stimulating the elimination of problematic or unnecessary plastic packaging and/or products

Example of quantitative baseline: X metric tonnes of single-use plastic packaging used in our jurisdiction at the baseline year.

Example of quantitative targets: We aim to eliminate 100% of plastic packaging used in our jurisdiction by 2025.

Example from Chile:

Baseline: 2.5 billion plastic bags were sold in retail throughout the country in 2017, equivalent to 18,375 metric tonnes.

Target: 100% elimination of plastic bags sold in retail throughout the country from 2018 onwards.

We will do this by: continuing with the implementation of the Law 21.100, which was approved in 2018 that bans the delivery of plastic bags in retail throughout the country.

Guidelines on target setting and progress reporting on area A can be found here.

B. Encouraging reuse models where relevant, to reduce the need for single-use plastic packaging and/or products

Example of quantitative baseline: X% of beverages sold via reuse models at the baseline year in our jurisdiction.

Example of quantitative targets: Y% of beverages in the market sold via reusable/refillable bottles or cups by 2025.

(There should be an absolute increase in percentage between the baseline year and 2025.)

Example from Copenhagen:

Baseline: It is estimated that less than 1% of all take-away food in Copenhagen was sold in reusable containers in 2019.

Target: All major events held in municipal owned areas in Copenhagen will not sell beverages in single use cups by 2024.

3 test areas will be established in the city for reusable take-away packaging by 2023.

We will do this by: making changes to public procurement and engaging with industry associations, startups, local companies, and national authorities to promote reusable take-away packaging.

C. Incentivising the use of reusable, recyclable, or compostable plastic packaging

Example of quantitative baseline: X% of plastic packaging in our jurisdiction is considered to be reusable, recyclable or compostable at the baseline year. Or X% of plastic packaging and/or products procured by the government is considered to be reusable, recyclable or compostable at the baseline year.

Example of quantitative targets: Y% of plastic packaging in our jurisdiction is reusable, recyclable or compostable by 2025. Or Y% of the plastic packaging and/or products procured by the government will be reusable, recyclable or compostable by 2025 (if no competency to legislate on the whole market).

(There should be an absolute increase in percentage between the baseline year and 2025.)

Example from Chile:

Baseline: 65% of the plastic packaging placed on the market by members of the Chilean Plastics Pact are designed to be recyclable. As of May 2021, 1,379 products have a recyclability label, which ensures that at least 80% of the packaging materials are recyclable.

Target: 100% of plastic packaging placed on the market by members of the Chilean Plastics Pact will be designed to be reusable, recyclable, or compostable by 2025.

We will do this by: promoting the successful implementation of the Clean Production Agreement: #ElijoReciclar label, a public-private pilot initiative signed in 2019 to pilot a recyclability label for packaging.

D.  Increasing collection, sorting, and recycling rates, and facilitating the establishment of the necessary infrastructure and related funding mechanisms

Example of quantitative baseline: M metric tonnes of plastic waste generated in our jurisdiction at the baseline year. A% (by weight) collected, B% effectively recycled, and C% composted.

Example of quantitative targets: X% of plastic waste collected, Y% effectively recycled and Z% composted by 2025. Compared to 2018, we aim to bring less plastic packaging to the market and generate less plastic waste by 2025.

(There should be an absolute increase in percentage in these rates between the baseline year and 2025.)

Example from France:

Baseline: In 2018, a total of 2 356 851 metric tonnes of plastic packaging waste were generated. Of the total plastic packaging waste, 633 211 metric tonnes (26.9%) were recycled, out of which 335 807 tonnes (13.9%) were recycled domestically and 297 404 metric tonnes (13%) were exported for recycling.

Target: The 3R decree sets a recycling objective for all single-use plastic packaging marketers to work towards the value of 100% recycling by January 1, 2025.

We will do this by: implementing a mix of measures including investing in sorting innovation and technologies, and selective sorting in the public space; setting financial program to expand the types of plastic packaging collected and sorted for recycling beyond bottles and flasks, etc.

Guidelines on target setting and progress reporting on area D can be found here.

E. Stimulating the demand for recycled plastics

Example of quantitative baseline: X% of recycled content in the plastic packaging/products at the baseline year purchased by the government; Or X% of recycled content in the plastic packaging/products at the baseline year in our jurisdiction.

Example of quantitative targets: Y% of recycled content in the plastic packaging/products purchased by the government by 2025; Or Y% of recycled content in the plastic packaging/products in the jurisdiction by 2025.

(There should be an absolute increase in percentage between the baseline year and 2025.)

Example from the United Kingdom:

Target: The UK Plastic Pact aims to reach 30% of recycled content in all plastic packaging for its members by 2025.

We will do this by: The UK is due to introduce a new tax on plastic packaging that contains less than 30% recycled content, applying to businesses producing or importing plastic packaging, from April 2022.

F. Supporting social and behavioral change through strategic communication to address plastic pollution

Example from Peru: will develop actions or activities of education, training and awareness about the responsible consumption of plastic, participate in the UNEP Clean Seas campaign, etc.

Example from Austin, Texas, US: will add plastics pollution education to an existing program that teaches students about zero waste. The city regularly communicates about its services, including plastic recycling through our curbside program and plastic film recycling through our drop-off program.