9. rePurpose Global and action on plastic

rePurpose Global is the world’s leading Circularity Platform. The organization works with CPG brands, consumers, innovators, and policymakers to collectively combat the plastic waste crisis.

rePurpose Global’s impact projects have recovered over 25 million kilograms of plastic waste from the environment to date (as of March 2024). These projects play a role in protecting vulnerable coastal regions across the Americas, Africa, and Asia. In doing so, rePurpose Global also brings improved waste management services and systems to over 1 million people, while positively impacting the lives of thousands of marginalized waste workers.

The organization has also supported more than 300 companies measure, reduce, and take action on their plastic footprints. This is done through pioneering solutions across the circular economy value chain that can be categorized into ‘Analysis’ and ‘Action’ solutions.

Analysis solutions help businesses to assess their impact, track their progress, ensure compliance, and communicate successes. These include the AI-driven technology solution Bluebird Climate powered by rePurpose Global, for brands in the beauty and personal care industry. Bluebird instantly measures and analyzes both packaging’s contribution to the plastic waste problem and climate impact. Another analysis solution is rePurpose Global’s industry-leading plastic usage measurement tools, which help businesses to assess their plastic use, develop effective reduction strategies, and track and report on progress.

rePurpose Global’s solutions also take direct action on plastic waste. Brands can support rePurpose’s plastic waste recovery projects to take immediate, effective, and verifiable action on plastic waste, and generate real-time impact data.

rePurpose Global’s holistic approach to building more circular systems means that the work extends beyond providing business solutions. The establishment of the Innovation Alliance for a Global Plastics Treaty (IAGPT) in 2023, co-convened with The Ocean Cleanup, was a landmark. Stemming from the realization that solutionists and innovators were poorly represented, IAGPT fights for more inclusive and effective plastic waste policies that acknowledge the expertise and successes of local innovators and solution providers.

rePurpose Global’s collaboration with Earth Action on 'Outcomes-Based Finance' (OBF) for waste prevention is another area where we are advocating for change - this time to attract investment to stem plastic pollution. OBF aligns financial incentives with measurable environmental outcomes - rather than traditional financial returns - and could revolutionize investment in waste management infrastructure.

That’s not all. We are constantly innovating to move the needle on plastic waste and circularity. This includes developing specialist technology for plastic recovery (reTrace^TM), developing the World Plastic Action Council card game to build engagement and understanding in the solutions to the plastic crisis, and creating the unique experience of the Plastic Reality Project for business and sustainability leaders.