U.S. Government commits US$14M to combat global plastic pollution

USA – The U.S. government has pledged an additional US$14 million to the End Plastic Pollution International Collaborative (EPPIC), a public-private partnership aimed at tackling plastic pollution worldwide.

This announcement was made at the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s (IUCN) Leaders Forum in Geneva, Switzerland.

Established by IUCN in collaboration with The Aspen Institute, The Ocean Foundation, and Searious Business, EPPIC seeks to unify global stakeholders in combating plastic waste.

EPPIC’s mission is to bring together governments, businesses, civil society, and philanthropic groups to address the impacts of plastic pollution by rethinking plastic use and promoting sustainable alternatives.

“Plastic pollution is a global crisis that transcends boundaries and affects us all,” said Dr. Grethel Aguilar, IUCN’s director general.

“For the sake of nature, biodiversity, and human health, we must work collectively to support innovative approaches in reducing, reusing, and recycling plastics. This new funding from the U.S. government strengthens our ability to expand EPPIC’s reach.”

Dr. John Thompson, U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Environment, announced the additional funding, which doubles the U.S. Department of State’s investment in EPPIC to US$28 million.

The latest contribution supports EPPIC’s efforts to scale its initiatives, emphasizing sustainable solutions and increased cooperation across sectors.

Expanding impact through multi-stakeholder collaboration

With this funding, EPPIC aims to drive public awareness, support policies advancing the circular economy, and foster business development among small and medium enterprises (SMEs) involved in the plastic lifecycle.

EPPIC currently operates in Costa Rica, Guatemala, and Senegal, with plans to expand to Ghana, Kenya, South Africa, and Small Island Developing States (SIDS) in Africa.

The partnership hopes to collaborate with other regional initiatives, creating strategic alliances beyond Latin America and Sub-Saharan Africa.

Applications are open for EPPIC’s Grant Program, which offers support to African projects that reduce upstream and midstream plastic pollution.

The upcoming EPPIC Innovation Prize will also encourage groundbreaking solutions to overcome challenges in plastic waste management and advance circularity in the sector.

Complementing global efforts and the upcoming global plastics treaty

EPPIC’s initiatives will play a critical role alongside the forthcoming Global Plastics Treaty, with the fifth Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee meeting (INC-5) scheduled for November.

EPPIC seeks to go beyond national initiatives, driving international collaboration and urging governments to make strong commitments to reducing plastic waste.

Other steps by the U.S. government include the Biden-Harris Administration’s goal to phase out single-use plastics in federal agencies by 2035 and reduce plastic use in packaging and foodservice by 2027.

The U.S. also backs a global treaty to cap plastic production. Still, it has not confirmed support for the EU’s Bridge to Busan Declaration, which addresses plastic pollution at the global scale.

Parties interested in joining the EPPIC initiative can contact eppic@iucn.org for more information on participation.

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