Circular Solutions to Plastic Pollution: Global Project

Bags of plastic bottles at a recycling station

Plastic pollution is a global problem impacting communities, wildlife, and habitats across the world. It is intrinsically linked to the linear take-make-waste economic model, with the amount of plastic waste produced globally forecast to triple under a business-as-usual (BAU) scenario by 2060. However, plastic is also a versatile material with many useful properties which people rely on every day to keep their food fresh, and ensure hygiene and safety of various products.

There is increasing recognition of the need to take a systemic, transformational approach to the plastic pollution crisis. So far, the majority of commitments and investments have focused on downstream solutions such as collection and recycling. More effort is needed on upstream solutions such as reduction, substitution, reuse, and redesign. The GEF-financed Circular Solutions to Plastic Pollution Integrated Program, co-led by UNEP and WWF, aims to trigger systems change to accelerate the transition towards a circular economy of plastics in the food and beverage sector, and prevent plastic pollution through upstream solutions such as reduction, substitution, reuse, and redesign.

The program will be delivered through a global platform project and a suite of 15 national projects that will integrate sectors, themes, and drivers, and engage governments, civil society organizations, and the private sector. The 15 national projects include:

Country

GEF Agency

Brazil

UNEP

Burkina Faso

UNEP

Cambodia

UNEP

Cook Islands

UNEP

Costa Rica

UNDP

Dominican Republic

UNDP

India

UNEP & UNIDO

Jordan

UNDP

Laos

WWF

Morocco

UNIDO

Nigeria

UNEP

Peru

UNEP

Philippines

UNIDO

RSA (South Africa)

UNIDO

Senegal

UNDP

  • _alt_

    More effort is needed on upstream solutions such as reduction, substitution, reuse, and redesign

  • A closeup of colorful recycled plastics crushed into flat stacks

    More effort is needed on upstream solutions such as reduction, substitution, reuse, and redesign

  • a pile of plastic in dirt

    More effort is needed on upstream solutions such as reduction, substitution, reuse, and redesign

The Circular Solutions to Plastic Pollution Global Project aims to ensure the success of the Program’s National Projects, and create a cohesive whole in order to achieve impact that goes beyond what the National Projects can achieve alone. The Global Project will focus on key transformational levers to maximize impact, while creating widely applicable or replicable assets to multiply influence beyond direct project work.

Focal Area: Biodiversity, Climate Change Mitigation, International Waters
Project Status: Project Development
GEF Project ID: 11197
Implementing Agency: UNEP and WWF US
Executing Agency/ Partners: UNEP and WWF US
GEF Project Grant: USD $15,984,404
Co-Financing: USD $111,890,826
GEF Agency Fee: USD $1,438,596

PFD Stage Documents:

CEO Endorsement Documents:

Environmental and Social Safeguards Documents: