Reducing the use of virgin plastic by increasing the amount of recycled content in packaging is a crucial step towards tackling plastic pollution. To do this, we need change on a systemic level.
WRAP is supporting measures across the world that help lower the carbon footprint of packaging and minimise environmental impact, furthering the transition towards Circular Living.
Our solutions
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The Plastics Pact Network
Led by WRAP and the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, the Plastics Pact Network connects 19 countries and over 900 organisations to drive global change towards a circular economy for plastics. Pacts coordinate the development of strategies to increase recycled content in specific applications, identify investment needs, develop trials to increase recycled content in different applications and aim to bring understanding and alignment on the regulatory barriers that limit the use of PCR in packaging.
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The UK Plastics Pact
The UK Plastics Pact brings together businesses, governments, and NGOs in a powerful alliance to tackle plastic waste across the value chain. With WRAP's support, members work collectively toward the shared mission of creating a circular plastics economy—offering policy guidance, securing essential funding for reuse projects, and driving innovative solutions for problem plastics.
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A Global Treaty
WRAP advocates for a high-ambition, legally binding global treaty to address the worldwide problem of plastic pollution. Global guidelines to eliminate, reduce, and reuse plastics will help propel the collective action needed to achieve a circular economy, while effectively managing plastics that cannot be recycled.
The progress we’re making
Recycled content in packaging has increased by 44% thanks to Plastics Pact members, meaning that over 2.2 million tonnes of virgin plastic were avoided by 2022.
On average, 11% of plastic packaging placed on the market by Plastic Pact membersis made from recycled content.
Plastics Pacts have supported the development of trials to increase recycled content across different applications. Identifying challenges has influenced technology advances in mechanical recycling across the world, from the instalment of washing plants for flexibles in Chile, to the development of food-grade HDPE and PP plastics in the UK.
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ReVentas India
India: ReVentas has optimized a process to recycle waste milk pouches into near-virgin grade polymer for high-quality products like shampoo sachets. With waste in the city of Pune rising to 30,000 tonnes, they plan to support a smaller 10,000-tonne-per-year plant, partnering with LG Chem and SABIC to develop and commercialise solutions.
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South African Plastics Pact
The South Africa Plastics Pact has identified fourfive key areas to boost recycled content in packaging, taking action through redesigning packaging and alternative reuse delivery models A major milestone is a planned 75,000-tonne-per-year increase in PET recycling by 2024, doubling food-grade recycled PET availability.
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United States Plastics Pact
US: In 2022, the US Plastics Pact introduced a strategy to increase Post-consumer Recycled Content (PCR) in packaging and created a toolkit for businesses. By 2023, most members committed to using PCR, in a collective effort to advancing circularity and reducing virgin plastic use.
Key reports
Our reports offer insights into the progress being made worldwide. From advancements in mechanical recycling to overcoming regulatory challenges, we document how different regions are pushing towards higher recycled content in packaging to help businesses implement best practices that contribute to circular living.
