Ellen MacArthur Foundation Global Commitment on Plastics

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Enriched Foundation · Found: 2026-03-11 13:05

Global initiative uniting businesses, governments, NGOs and investors for circular economy transition with plastics focus. Network participation and collaborative initiatives rather than direct grants. Drives systemic change in plastics economy.

Source: https://www.ellenmacarthurfoundation.org/global-commitment/overview

Funding Details

Funder: Ellen MacArthur Foundation
Funding Goal: Accelerate the transition to a circular economy for plastics by uniting 1200+ businesses, governments, NGOs, and investors behind shared 2030 targets and transparent annual reporting on plastic packaging progress.
Funding Amount: No direct funding provided. This is a voluntary commitment and reporting network, not a grant program.
Deadline: 12-month sign-up window for Global Commitment 2030 (started 2025) (Rolling)
How to Apply: Apply via online form at the Qualtrics link on the program page. The Foundation's team can be contacted for more information. A 12-month sign-up window is open for the 2030 phase.
Target Region: Global
Contact: Ellen MacArthur Foundation — Contact page: https://www.ellenmacarthurfoundation.org/contact-us. Apply form: https://ellenmacfoundation.fra1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_9LIT9XTN9YspmRw
Last Checked: 2026-03-11 16:28

Application Checklist

Eligibility

Applicant must be an organisation (business, government, NGO, or investor) active in the plastics value chain
Applicant must be willing to publicly set measurable 2030 targets related to plastic packaging circularity

Project Scope

Commit to annual transparent reporting on progress against 2030 targets
Engagement is focused on plastic packaging specifically, not all plastic or marine pollution broadly

Required Documents

Submit application via the online Qualtrics form linked on the program page

Constraints

No direct financial grant or funding is provided — participation is a voluntary commitment, not a funding mechanism
Sign-up window is limited to approximately 12 months from the 2030 relaunch (started 2025)

Summary

The Global Commitment is a voluntary signatory initiative launched by the Ellen MacArthur Foundation in collaboration with the UN Environment Programme. It is the world's largest voluntary effort on plastic waste and pollution, with over 1,200 organisations aligned around a common vision for a circular economy. This is not a grant program — there is no direct financial disbursement to participants. Instead, signatories publicly commit to measurable 2030 targets on plastic packaging (e.g. reducing virgin plastic use, increasing recycled content) and report transparently on their progress annually. The first chapter of the commitment ran from 2018 to 2025. Signatories representing 20% of the global plastic packaging market outperformed peers across all target areas, avoiding 14 million tonnes of virgin plastics and 7.8 million tonnes of CO2 per year. The second chapter (Global Commitment 2030) is now open for sign-up, with a 12-month application window. Existing signatories include major corporations such as Unilever, Amcor, and SC Johnson. The 2030 phase is more explicitly embedded in a broader market transformation approach, combining individual business commitments with collaborative action and collective advocacy to address systemic barriers. It is complemented by the Foundation's "2030 Plastics Agenda for Business." The program primarily targets private sector actors in the plastic packaging value chain, though NGOs and governments can also participate. For NGOs and civil society organisations focused on plastic circular economy work, the main value of joining is network access, credibility signalling, and alignment with a globally recognised standard — not financial support. The application is via an online form (Qualtrics), and there is no indication of fees, selection criteria beyond commitment alignment, or monetary awards.

Historical Context

The Global Commitment launched in 2018 in collaboration with UNEP. Annual progress reports have been published each year from 2019 to 2025. The first chapter concluded in 2025. The 2030 chapter launched with an initial group of recommitting businesses, with a 12-month open sign-up window. Over 1,200 organisations participated in the first chapter.

Why it was added

Leading global circular economy network for plastics with partnership opportunities

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