Introducing Plastic Reboot: a global solution to tackle plastic pollution

Plastic waste is choking our planet. It’s in our air, water, and soil—threatening both wildlife and communities. A crisis of this magnitude warrants an equally bold response. To meet this challenge head on, we’re excited to announce the launch of Plastic Reboot, a systemic, global solution to tackle plastic pollution at its root.

Plastic Reboot is the first initiative at this scale aimed at addressing plastic pollution through upstream solutions in key sectors— packaging, including food and beverage, accounts for approximately 40% of global plastic use. Supported by the Global Environment Facility, Plastic Reboot is co-led by the United Nations Environment Programme and World Wildlife Fund, and implemented in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme and the United Nations Industrial Development Organization.

Between now and 2030, Plastic Reboot will activate globally and via national projects in 15 countries, including Brazil, Burkina Faso, Cambodia, Cook Islands, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, India, Jordan, Laos, Peru, Philippines, Morocco, Nigeria, Senegal, and South Africa, to accelerate the shift to a more circular plastic economy and prevent plastic pollution from negatively impacting the health of people and the planet.

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What makes Plastic Reboot different?

To date, the majority of funding and effort has focused on end-of-life waste management. Plastic Reboot works differently, testing and scaling upstream and midstream solutions to prevent pollution before it happens. This approach allows us to evolve beyond the conventional linear "take-make-dispose" pattern by focusing on three key areas:

• Elimination and Reduction: Reducing the amount of unnecessary and problematic plastic by shifting to redesign and reuse for short-life items, and aligning policy incentives for better outcomes.
• Design for Circularity: Creating packaging that is designed to be recycled and moving toward an increased use of alternative and responsibly sourced materials.
• Circularity in Practice: Implementing policies and business models that ensure materials stay in circulation, including extended producer responsibility (EPR).

While Plastic Reboot is coordinated globally, each of the 15 national projects has a dedicated team implementing a plan customized to its local regulatory and business environment. This global-to-local approach creates a network that will allow Plastic Reboot to identify and share solutions that benefit everyone.

A sustainable future, free from plastic pollution, is within reach, and Plastic Reboot is here to help make it possible.

Scroll through the cards below to read what Plastic Reboot supporters and partners have to say: