The UN Development Programme (UNDP) and Danish think tank Circular Innovation Lab have launched a joint initiative to promote circular economy solutions in the fight against plastic pollution, according to a press release issued on Friday.
The collaboration was announced at an event in Istanbul, Turkey, organised with the support of the Turkish government, titled “Waste to Wealth: Rethinking Our Economic Path and Embracing Circularity.” The event aimed to be a platform for dialogue, learning and collaboration to showcase innovative ways to tackle plastic waste.
It brought together participants from various sectors including private businesses, innovators, think tanks, academia and youth activists.
The regional meeting, described as the first of its kind, aimed to strengthen cross-sector partnerships in the plastics industry to promote circular economy principles, emphasising the “urgent need for a paradigm shift.”
It was noted that circular economy approaches offer a tangible way forward by minimising waste, extending the life of materials and moving towards renewable energy solutions.
Emphasising that this transformation “cannot happen alone” and “requires the active participation of all stakeholders,” the initiative aims to foster collaboration across the value chain and accelerate the adoption of sustainable practices that reduce plastic pollution and create new opportunities for economic growth.
The press release highlights the urgency of addressing plastic pollution, noting that global plastic production reaches approximately 430 million metric tonnes per year and is expected to nearly triple by 2060.
Currently, 79% of global plastic waste ends up in landfills or the environment, 12% is incinerated, and less than 10% is recycled.
