WWF | Rising Tides II: Public Opinion Overwhelmingly Supports Global Rules to End Plastic Pollution

WWF | Rising Tides II: Public Opinion Overwhelmingly Supports Global Rules to End Plastic Pollution

Plastic production, consumption and pollution levels have increased exponentially since plastic became widespread in the 1950s. More than 2,000 animal species have encountered plastic pollution in their environment, and nearly 90% of species specifically studied are known to be negatively affected. WWF and the Plastic Free Foundation commissioned global research company Ipsos to undertake this […]

WWF | Towards a Treaty to End Plastic Pollution

WWF | Towards a Treaty to End Plastic Pollution

In March 2022, UN member states made the historic decision to develop an international, legally binding instrument to end plastic pollution. This is a unique opportunity to unlock systemic change across the global plastics economy. An effective treaty will deliver decisive impact across the full value chain. If not structured properly, however, there is a […]

WWF | Impacts of Plastic Pollution on Biodiversity

WWF | Impacts of Plastic Pollution on Biodiversity

A PLANETARY CRISIS: Plastic pollution is everywhere in the global ocean, and levels have grown exponentially and harms marine life through entanglement, ingestion, smothering and chemical leaching The UN calls it a ‘planetary crisis’.1 From the poles to the remotest islands, from the surface of the sea to the deepest ocean trench, the marine plastic […]

WWF | A New Treaty on Plastic Pollution – Perspectives from Asia

WWF | A New Treaty on Plastic Pollution – Perspectives from Asia

The world currently produces more than 200 million tonnes of plastic annually, with 41% of plastic waste being mismanaged as countries burn or dump their plastic trash into the environment. The top five countries that dump the most plastic in the ocean are from Asia and their share is more than half of the world’s […]

WWF | Plastics: The Costs to Society, The Environment, and The Economy

WWF | Plastics: The Costs to Society, The Environment, and The Economy

Plastic plays many important roles, but its production, use and disposal impose countless negative impacts on society, with plastic pollution among the most pressing environmental issues of today. Due to its seemingly cheap price and various uses, plastic has been increasingly used across millions of applications. As a result, plastic production has almost doubled over […]

WWF | Assessing the relevance of the EU directive on single-use plastics

WWF | Assessing the relevance of the EU directive on single-use plastics

There is growing support among UN Member States for the development of a new global agreement to tackle marine plastic pollution. So far, however, the multilateral discussions on the issue have focused more on the rationale for a new treaty than on the design of it. At this point, it is therefore not entirely clear […]

WWF | WWF Position Plastic Crediting and Plastic Neutrality

WWF | WWF Position Plastic Crediting and Plastic Neutrality

WWF has established the following position on plastic crediting and plastic neutrality. The updated version in April 2025 is now available. In order to achieve No Plastic in Nature by 2030, a combination of various coordinated strategies must be pursued. Strategies driven by the private sector must include reducing single use plastic, shifting to sustainable […]

WWF | WWF’s Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) Project

WWF | WWF’s Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) Project

WWF has identified the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) scheme as a critical policy tool with a track record to hold manufacturers accountable for their plastic products and packaging’s end-of-life impacts, as well as to encourage holistic eco-design in the business sector. WWF tackles the root of plastic pollution. Together with our partners we developed an […]

WWF | The Business Case for a UN Treaty on Plastic Pollution

WWF | The Business Case for a UN Treaty on Plastic Pollution

Plastic Pollution is a global problem that requires a global solution. Currently, more than 11 million metric tons of plastic are flowing into the ocean each year. Despite the exponential growth in voluntary initiatives and national regulations to tackle plastic pollution, there is no sign that leakage rates are slowing. A coordinated global response in […]