联合国环境规划署：新塑料经济全球承诺_2021__39页_3mb

2021 Global Commitment Progress Report Summary

Core Content

This 2021 progress report evaluates the achievements of over 1,000 businesses, governments, and organizations that have joined the Global Commitment and Plastic Pact network. The goal is to transition to a circular economy for plastic, where plastic never becomes waste. The report outlines the progress made toward the 2025 targets set by the signatories, which represent over 20% of the global plastic packaging market.

Key Findings

1. Virgin Plastic Use Has Peaked

   • Virgin plastic use by Global Commitment brands and retailers appears to have peaked after decades of growth.
   • A 1.2% reduction in virgin plastic consumption was recorded between 2020 and 2019, following a 0.6% reduction in the previous year.
   • With new commitments, the projected reduction in virgin plastic by 2025 is around 19% compared to 2018 levels.
   • This trend indicates a potential decoupling of business growth from virgin plastic use.

2. Recycling Has Been a Major Driver, But Not Enough

   • The reduction in virgin plastic has largely been driven by the increased use of recycled content in packaging.
   • Brand and retail signatories increased the post-consumer recycled content in their plastic packaging from 5.2% to 8.2% between 2018 and 2020.
   • However, the report highlights that eliminating single-use packaging is critical for a circular economy, and current efforts are mostly focused on material substitution rather than reducing the need for such packaging.
   • Only 11% of signatories have launched more than three reuse pilots, and less than 2% of their plastic packaging is reusable.

3. Support for Global Agreement on Plastic Pollution is Strong

   • A significant number of businesses and countries support a global agreement on plastic pollution, recognizing that voluntary initiatives alone are insufficient.
   • Around 80 leading companies and 100 countries have backed the call for a binding UN treaty on plastics.
   • In 2022, the UN Environment Assembly will provide a unique opportunity to advance global action on plastic pollution.

Key Progress Metrics

• 100% of brand and retail signatories have committed to 2025 total and/or virgin plastic packaging reduction targets.
• Post-consumer recycled content in plastic packaging for brand and retail signatories increased from 5.2% to 8.2% between 2018 and 2020.
• 80% of signatories are now publicly disclosing their total plastic packaging weight and portfolio breakdown.
• 63% of brand and retail signatories are setting targets for 2025, with some reporting progress in reducing virgin plastic use.

Top FMCG Companies Performance

Insights by Progress Area

Elimination

• There has been a 31% increase in the number of elimination examples reported by signatories in 2021 compared to 2020.
• The most common categories targeted for elimination include PVC, EPS, single-use plastic straws, cutlery, and hangers.
• Over 60% of signatories with these categories in their portfolio indicated plans to reduce or eliminate them.
• PVC had the highest focus, with 86% of signatories still using it indicating elimination plans.

Reuse

• Despite an increase in the number of reuse pilots, only 11% of signatories have launched more than three pilots in the last year.
• 56% of signatories have launched no reuse pilots at all.
• The overall share of reusable plastic packaging has decreased.

Reusable, Recyclable, or Compostable

• The share of plastic packaging that is reusable, recyclable, or compostable increased marginally.
• However, 76% of elimination examples involved material substitution, not changes to avoid the need for single-use packaging.

Decoupling

• A sustained and significant fall in virgin plastic use is expected, which would represent a decoupling of business growth from the consumption of virgin plastic.

Transparency

• 80% of signatories are now publicly disclosing their total plastic packaging weight and portfolio breakdown.

Appendix

• The report includes a breakdown of plastic packaging reported and for the global market.
• 130 businesses and 18 governments have reported against their commitments, with some signatories committing to multiple categories.

Conclusion

The report highlights that while progress has been made in reducing virgin plastic use and increasing recycled content, there is a clear need for more focus on eliminating single-use packaging. The support for a global agreement on plastic pollution is growing, and the report underscores the importance of policy measures such as Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) in driving further change. The momentum built in 2021 is a crucial opportunity to advance towards a circular economy for plastics.