Alliance to End Plastic Waste

Today, the industry alliance “Alliance to End Plastic Waste” (AEPW) is officially launched in London, UK. Around 30 companies, globally active in the plastics value chain, are participating in this initiative. The alliance wants to develop solutions and new technologies to stop the uncontrolled disposal of plastics worldwide. Over the next five years, AEPW plans to invest $1.5 billion in recycling, reuse, and collection of plastic waste. Special know-how, a global network, and financial resources are to be bundled. AEPW cooperates with the World Economic Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) as a strategic partner as well as with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNE).

Research shows that around 90 % of plastic waste reaches the oceans via ten rivers. Eight of these rivers are located in Asia, two in Africa. Other research shows that 60 % of marine plastic waste originates from five Southeast Asian countries. The alliance initially wants to concentrate its activities on these most problematic areas and cooperate with governments and administrations at various levels as well as with partners from civil society. The goal is to create repeatable programs and solutions that can be applied to many locations and to create an “open source, science-based global information system” to support plastic waste management.

Founding members of the alliance include BASF, Chevron Phillips Chemical Co. LLC, Clariant, Covestro, Dow, DSM, ExxonMobil, Formosa Plastics Corp. USA, Henkel, LyondellBasell, Mitsubishi Chemical Holdings, Mitsui Chemicals, Nova Chemicals, OxyChem, Procter & Gamble, Saudi Basic Industries Corp., Sasol, Shell, SCG Chemicals, Sumitomo Chemical, Total, and Veolia.

Initial activities will include: Building and optimizing waste collection and treatment infrastructure; innovation of materials, packaging design, and recycling technologies; educating and collaborating with consumers, communities, business, and governments; cleaning areas with high levels of plastic waste.

At 15:00 (GMT+1), there will be a 30 min lifestream at www.endplasticwaste.org/live. The following persons will take part in the event:

David Taylor, Chairman, President & CEO, Procter & Gamble
Bob Patel, CEO, LyondellBasell
Jim Fitterling, CEO, Dow
Laurent Auguste, Senior Executive Vice President, Development, Innovation and Markets, Veolia
Martin Brudermüller, CEO, BASF
Hans Van Bylen, CEO, Henkel
Jean-Marc Boursier, Group Senior Executive Vice President for Finance, Recycling & Recovery-Northern Europe, SUEZ
Priyanka Bakaya, CEO & Founder, Renewlogy
Rob Kaplan, CEO & Founder, Circulate Capital
Peter Bakker, President & CEO, World Business Council for Sustainable Development