The New Plastics Economy

The report argues that the current linear plastics economy results in significant economic losses and environmental damage, with only 14% of plastic packaging collected for recycling globally. It proposes a three-pronged strategy: fundamentally redesigning the 30% of packaging that is currently unrecyclable, implementing reuse models for at least 20% of the market, and improving the economics and quality of recycling for the remaining 50% through a Global Plastics Protocol. The document outlines specific priority actions for the value chain and a 2017 catalyst plan for the New Plastics Economy initiative.

• The current global plastics economy is characterized by a linear 'take-make-dispose' model where only 14% of plastic packaging is collected for recycling, leading to an annual economic loss of $80 billion to $120 billion in material value.
• Approximately 30% of the plastic packaging market by weight—representing at least half of all items—cannot be reused or recycled without fundamental redesign. This includes small-format packaging (sachets, lids), multi-material packaging, uncommon materials like PVC, PS, and EPS, and nutrient-contaminated packaging.
• Reuse presents an economically attractive opportunity for at least 20% of plastic packaging by weight, with a potential value of at least $9 billion. Key opportunities include personal and home-care bottles, carrier bags, and business-to-business rigid packaging and pallet wrap.
• Recycling could become economically attractive for the remaining 50% of plastic packaging if design and after-use systems are improved. Implementing a Global Plastics Protocol could add $190-$290 of value per tonne of mixed plastic packaging collected, totaling $2 billion to $3 billion annually in OECD countries.
• Packaging design improvements alone could create $90-$140 per tonne of value. Specific levers include improving format design ($50-$70/tonne), polymer choice ($25-$40/tonne), pigment choice ($15-$20/tonne), and additive choice (at least $5/tonne).
• Harmonizing after-use collection and sorting systems could further enhance recycling economics by an estimated $100-$150 per tonne, with $80-$110 coming from system convergence and $30-$40 from scaling up high-quality recycling processes.
• The New Plastics Economy initiative has established five building blocks to catalyze the transition: a Dialogue Mechanism, a Global Plastics Protocol, Innovation Moonshots, an Evidence Base, and Stakeholder Engagement.

APA

World Economic Forum (2017). The New Plastics Economy. https://www3.weforum.org/docs/WEF_NEWPLASTICSECONOMY_2017.pdf

Chicago

World Economic Forum. The New Plastics Economy. 2017. https://www3.weforum.org/docs/WEF_NEWPLASTICSECONOMY_2017.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=World Economic Forum |title=The New Plastics Economy |date=January 2017 |url=https://www3.weforum.org/docs/WEF_NEWPLASTICSECONOMY_2017.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{worldeconomicforum2017new, author = {{World Economic Forum}}, title = {{The New Plastics Economy}}, institution = {World Economic Forum}, year = {2017}, month = jan, url = {https://www3.weforum.org/docs/WEF_NEWPLASTICSECONOMY_2017.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }