WRAP's “ambitious” UK initiative will bring industry, government and society together to collaborate and commit to creating a circular economy for plastics.
The plastic bottles not collected for recycling in the UK each year would stretch around the world 31 times if placed end to end, according to WRAP.
The initial focus will be to cut single use packaging and make all plastic packaging reusable, recyclable or compostable; increase recycled content in plastic packaging; significantly increase the collection and recycling of plastic packaging and help the public reduce plastic packaging waste and litter.
“So far the solutions to plastic waste have been piecemeal,” said Marcus Gover, CEO at WRAP. “I am pleased to be leading this holistic initiative which will transform the UK’s plastics system. Working with the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, we will bring together every ‘body, business and organisation’ involved in the life-cycle of plastics to make the move from a throw away culture to one where resources are used over and over again.”
“Creating a circular economy for plastics amounts to a huge opportunity for the economy as well as providing a longer-term benefit for the environment,” said Dame Ellen MacArthur. “Achieving it will require close collaboration and significant commitment from industry, government, and society at large.”
The initiative is currently under development, with the official launch in the spring.
This article originally appeared on 2degrees.
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