Moving from a Linear to a Circular Economy

The policy brief outlines a strategy to move the US toward a circular economy to combat the environmental and social impacts of plastic pollution. It proposes a federal framework centered on Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), the phasing out of problematic single-use materials, and the correction of market incentives that currently favor virgin plastics over recycled alternatives. The roadmap also emphasizes environmental justice for frontline communities and the need for US leadership in global binding agreements to prevent plastic leakage and manage international waste trade.

• Plastic production is projected to more than triple by 2050, which would result in 20 percent of all oil consumption and approximately 56 gigatons of greenhouse gas emissions, representing 10-13 percent of the total carbon budget.
• Current US plastic waste management is inefficient, with only 9 percent of plastic being recycled and 70% ending up in landfills.
• The document proposes a Federal Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) system where producers pay fees based on their material contributions to fund infrastructure that diverts waste from landfills and nature into recycling streams.
• The linear economy is sustained by subsidized oil and gas investments and a failure to account for the external costs of virgin material production, disposal, and environmental contamination.
• To address the global threat of plastic pollution, the US should pass legislation to join the Basel Convention and support a globally binding agreement on plastic pollution, including the issue of abandoned fishing gear.

APA

WWF International (n.d.). Moving from a Linear to a Circular Economy. https://www.worldwildlife.org/documents/906/9sfmt39vs9_Materials_Policy_White_Paper_V6_FINAL.pdf

Chicago

WWF International. Moving from a Linear to a Circular Economy. n.d. https://www.worldwildlife.org/documents/906/9sfmt39vs9_Materials_Policy_White_Paper_V6_FINAL.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=WWF International |title=Moving from a Linear to a Circular Economy |url=https://www.worldwildlife.org/documents/906/9sfmt39vs9_Materials_Policy_White_Paper_V6_FINAL.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{wwfinternationalndmoving, author = {{WWF International}}, title = {{Moving from a Linear to a Circular Economy}}, institution = {WWF International}, url = {https://www.worldwildlife.org/documents/906/9sfmt39vs9_Materials_Policy_White_Paper_V6_FINAL.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }