The so-called UK Plastics Pact _ an initiative launched by sustainability experts, the group WRAP, and other NGOs _ proposes a unique collaboration bringing together businesses involved in the plastics production cycle and footprint in an attempt to turn back the massive plastic waste blight that is threatening biological life on Earth.

Together, we have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to rethink and reshape the future of plastic so that we retain its value, and curtail the damage plastic waste wreaks on our planet,” said WRAP’s CEO, Marcus Gover.

Meanwhile, the UK’s Environment Secretary, Michael Gove, remarked that ?our ambition to eliminate avoidable plastic waste will only be realized if the government, businesses, and the public work together.”

He added that Industry action could “prevent excess plastic reaching our supermarket shelves in the first place.”

Corporations such as Coca-Cola, Asda, Lidl and Aldi supermarkets, Danone or Nestle are among corporations joining this initiative, and collectively represent 80 percent of the plastic waste generated by British supermarkets.

The UK Plastics Pact hopes to achieve by 2025 a series of ambitious targets, such as eliminating 100 percent of unnecessary single-use plastic packaging through redesign, innovation or re-usability and ensuring overall plastic packaging is reusable, recyclable or compostable to varying degrees, according to specific usage

The UK Minister for Clean Energy, Claire Perry, also welcomed the pact: “It is fantastic to see WRAP leading on this world-first pact to reduce plastic pollution (…) and prevent plastic waste from ending up in our seas.”

The immediate focus aims to identify projects delivering the greatest impact in the short and long term; for example, overcoming barriers to increasing the percentage of recycled content in new packaging.

Above all the Pact seeks to involve everyone, which is why WRAP intends to launch a campaign this summer and drive citizens to take action.