UCL joins global commitment on plastic pollution

UCL has signed a new global commitment to cut down on the use of plastic. Led by the Ellen MacArthur Foundation in collaboration with UN Environment, the New Plastics Economy Global Commitment aims to create a 'new normal' for plastic packaging. The long term targets, which will be reviewed every 18 months, include: The Commitment was signed by 250 organisations including 40 universities at the Our Ocean conference in Bali. Many of the world's largest packaging producers, brands, retailers and recyclers, as well as governments and NGOs are signatories. More than 15 financial institutions with in excess of $2.5tr in assets under management have also endorsed the Global Commitment and over $200m has been pledged by five venture capital funds to create a circular economy for plastic. Professor Julia Stegemann (UCL Civil, Environmental & Geomatic Engineering) said: "Plastics are cheap, lightweight, and durable materials with many uses. Their fantastic properties have caused us to use far more than we need to, and this is now damaging the health of the planet we depend on for survival.