Plastics
With increasing production and use, and poor end-of-life management, there are many environmental and economic risks associated with plastics. There are also legal requirements companies must increasingly respond to. Finding solutions to these issues through new technologies, innovations and investments can create opportunities for investors.
Plastics investor working group
The PRI’s Plastics Investor Working Group consists of 29 global investors representing US$5.9 trillion in assets. The group has focused on building an understanding of plastics from a global and holistic perspective, including how plastics fit in with the broader circular economy concept.
The group has supported the development of the plastics landscape series and four guides to support investor engagement on plastic packaging with relevant sectors. Participants will continue to enhance investor understanding of how to address plastic waste and pollution and support a circular economy for plastics by deepening the insights within the engagement guides and exploring key areas in more detail.
Discover our engaging on plastic packaging series
Engaging on plastic packaging
The PRI has published four guides to help investors engage with key sectors in the plastic packaging value chain including petrochemicals, containers and packaging, fast-moving consumer goods and waste management. The reports were developed with expert input from the Ellen MacArthur Foundation and PRI’s Plastics Investor Working Group.
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The plastics landscape series
The PRI has published three reports to help investors understand why plastic is a problem, and the key sectors in the plastic value chain and associated risks and opportunities. The third report looks at the factors that are causing the plastic landscape to evolve. The reports are accompanied an interactive tool presenting data on plastic production, plastic use, plastic waste generation, plastic waste management and legislation.
The plastics landscape series: Part 1
Plastics: The challenges and possible solutions
With an increase in global production and consumption of plastics, and less than 20 percent of plastics recycled globally, plastic waste is increasing – and mismanaged.
The plastics landscape series: Part 2
Risks and opportunities along the plastics value chain
The level of global interest in plastic production, consumption and waste has soared in recent years. While much of this focus has been on the risks and impacts, it is important to recognise that the flexibility and resilience of plastic mean that products made from the material perform many crucial ...
The plastics landscape series: Part 3
The plastics landscape: regulations, policies and influencers
Rounding off a three-part series titled The plastics landscape, this report explores the various plastic-related regulations and policies at different stages of the value chain. It also looks at the types of movements that are influencing how plastic is regulated, managed and used.
Other resources
How investors can support a circular economy for plastics: new engagement guidance
By Rebecca Chapman, Specialist, Environmental Issues, PRI, and Gerald Naber, Programme Manager, New Plastics Economy, Ellen MacArthur Foundation
How can investors help create a plastics economy that works? Event roundup
Whilst plastic is fundamental to everyday life, plastic waste poses significant reputational risks, particularly for the food, beverage and retail sectors.
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