Three years after launching the World Plastics Council (WPC), global leaders of the plastics industry returned to K – the plastics trade fair in Dusseldorf, Germany, for their 2016 General Assembly.
During the General Assembly WPC’s key activities for 2016 were reviewed, including its support for Global Activities such as the Trash Free Seas Alliance, participation in main Conferences such as PolyTalk 2016, and the launch of the new WPC website. In addition, the proposed activities for 2017 were discussed including a new Task Force on Strategic Opportunities for the industry.
The WPC was formed in 2013 with the goal of becoming the plastic industry’s platform to accelerate cooperation and alignment, and to deliver improved outcomes for the benefit of society and the global plastics industry. Since that time WPC formed an Executive Committee with 19 WPC members who come from all parts of the world. Members have identified as their goals: contributing to solutions to the global marine litter challenge and advancing sustainability. To reach these goals, the WPC actively supports problem-solving partnerships such as Ocean Conservancy’s Trash Free Seas Alliance, participates in thought leadership events such as the Plasticity Forum, and collaborates with innovators such as the Ellen MacArthur Foundation.
"Our industry has global reach, and marine litter is a global challenge where we are well-positioned to help deliver effective global solutions”, said Mr Abdulrahman Al-Fageeh, the Chairman of the World Plastics Council and Executive Vice President, Petrochemicals SBU, SABIC during a Q&A session with international journalists. "That is why I am particularly delighted to welcome two new members to the WPC during our 2016 General Assembly who will help broaden our perspectives: Reliance (India) and Daelim (South Korea)”, the WPC Chairman continued.
The plastics industry is contributing a number of concrete solutions to this global challenge through its Global Declaration on Solutions to Marine Litter, which now includes more than 260 projects from 34 countries around the world (https://www.marinelittersolutions.com/). Among these solutions are a number of programmes to prevent litter, increase recycling, and to promote the adoption of Operation Clean Sweep – a commitment to reduce the loss of plastic pellets to the environment.
Editors’ note
The World Plastics Council (WPC) is an organization comprised of executives from leading companies that produce plastic resin. The WPC provides a platform for member companies to efficiently address common issues, and to have a common voice on issues with global reach. The WPC was first discussed during an industry trade fair in Dusseldorf, Germany in October, 2013, and was officially launched at a subsequent meeting in Dubai, UAE in November, 2014.
The WPC will work to promote the ethic of sustainability and the responsible use of plastics; represent the global plastics industry to other stakeholders; coordinate and unite efforts to achieve practical solutions; and share best practices from across various regions. The WPC does not replace current national or regional plastics associations, and it will focus its attention on issues that are global or at least multi-regional.
For further information: www.worldplasticscouncil.org