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The Alliance to End Plastic Waste's 2025 Progress Report

The Alliance to End Plastic Waste has recently unveiled its 2025 Progress Report, aptly titled Strategy in Action. This document serves as a testament to the advancements made during the inaugural year of the Alliance's ambitious 2030 Strategy aimed at tackling the pervasive issue of plastic waste.

Achievements Since 2019

Since its establishment, the Alliance has proven to be a catalyst for change, successfully reducing 378,147 metric tons of unmanaged plastic waste and valorizing 418,529 metric tons of plastic waste. A significant fundraising effort has mobilized $641 million in commitments from various stakeholders and impact investors since 2019, demonstrating the critical need for economic support in tackling plastic pollution.

By 2025, the Alliance had made remarkable gains, with improvements leading to a reduction of 138,162 metric tons of unmanaged plastic waste and valorization of 165,317 metric tons. Their educational initiatives have reached over 1.5 million individuals, which is essential as changing consumer behavior is a pivotal part of solving the plastic crisis.

Transition Towards Large-Scale Programs

As part of the 2030 Strategy, the Alliance is transitioning from isolated community-based projects to integrated national and thematic programs that maximize impact. These large-scale programs are designed to help countries improve their recycling maturity levels and address complex challenges related to plastic waste.

In 2025, the Alliance enhanced its partnerships with a diverse array of stakeholders focusing on creating collaborative solutions aimed at reinforcing the plastics circular economy. Jacob Duer, the CEO of the Alliance, noted that the year was crucial in laying down the groundwork needed for large-scale impact and systemic change while addressing urgent needs in various markets.

National Programs Strengthening Waste Management

The Alliance's national programs assist different countries in reinforcing their recycling frameworks by optimizing waste collection, sorting, and recycling processes. As of 2025, these initiatives have been rolled out in target markets including Brazil, GCC countries, India, Indonesia, and South Africa.

In Indonesia, the Alliance has initiated a transformative project, known as Solid Waste Management for Sustainable Urban Development (SWM-SUD), collaborating with the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank. A pilot waste management project was launched in the East Java region of Malang, integrating source sorting, improved collection, and connections with local recycling businesses. This scale pushes for a larger integrated waste management system, vital for fostering a circular economy across the nation.

Tackling the Soft Plastics Challenge

Soft plastics present one of the hardest materials to recycle; hence the Alliance’s thematic programs target these challenges directly. By promoting market-driven solutions, the Alliance has made significant progress in Europe and North America targeting soft plastics, adapting waste management systems to cater to end-market requirements from collection to recycling.

In Phoenix, Arizona, a collaborative project is enhancing the collection of soft plastics from commercial and industrial sites, filling a void for small waste producers who cannot afford traditional waste collection methods. This approach not only solves local recycling issues but also underscores the importance of adaptable systems.

Mobilizing Investments for System Transformation

Capital mobilization remains a core challenge in establishing a large-scale circular economy. The Alliance is leveraging its expertise to attract investments in circular plastic solutions. For instance, the Plastic Circularity Strategy, co-managed with Lombard Odier Investment Managers, focuses on reducing project risks while further funding initiatives that promote plastic circularity.

Start-ups and companies developing innovative solutions are supported financially, further pushing the envelope in the effort to create an effective circular economy for plastics.

Conclusion

The Alliance to End Plastic Waste operates with a bold vision to eliminate plastic waste. By collaborating with a vast network of contributors across the value chain, they are spearheading efforts to develop, implement, and broaden the use of viable solutions for plastic management. The 2025 Progress Report, Strategy in Action, highlights the accomplishments that lay the groundwork for future success in combating plastic waste globally, fostering partnerships, and promoting sustainable practices for a cleaner planet.