#Sustainability #Singapore #Circularity #plasticwaste

Overview of Progress

On September 9, 2026, the Alliance to End Plastic Waste unveiled its 2025 Progress Report titled Strategy in Action. This report celebrates the initial accomplishments made within the first year of implementing its 2030 Strategy. The Alliance has made substantial advancements in addressing systemic barriers to circularity, aimed at transitioning towards a circular economy for plastics.

Since its inception in 2019, the Alliance has successfully reduced 378,147 metric tons of unmanaged plastic waste and recovered value from 418,529 metric tons of plastic materials. Furthermore, the Alliance has secured commitments totaling $641 million in funding from various impact investors and third-party financial sources since 2019. The outreach initiatives aimed at education and behavior change have benefitted over 1.5 million individuals since the organization's foundation.

Notably, in 2025, the Alliance efficiently managed to reduce an additional 138,162 metric tons of plastic waste while valorizing 165,317 metric tons.

Collaborative Programs in Focus

The Alliance's national programs are designed to enhance recycling systems in countries that are most in need. For instance, it operates in Brazil, the Gulf Cooperation Council, India, Indonesia, and South Africa, focusing on the significant barriers that hinder effective waste management. In Indonesia, a pivotal project named Solid Waste Management for Sustainable Urban Development (SWM-SUD) is underway in collaboration with the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, demonstrating a systemic shift through coordinated interventions across waste management systems.

In a specific pilot program launched in 2025 in Malang, East Java, the Alliance is facilitating enhanced waste separation, collection, and recycling initiatives. With planned investments of up to $40 million, the project aims to implement these successful principles across various cities participating in the SWM-SUD initiative, thereby enhancing integrated waste management systems and promoting plastic circularity throughout Indonesia.

In Mathura-Vrindavan, India, the Alliance established a municipal waste processing plant that now operates at 75% capacity and is expected to process up to 300 tons of waste daily, significantly diverting waste from landfills.

Addressing the Challenge of Flexible Plastics

The Alliance has prioritized addressing intermarket barriers to circularity, particularly focusing on flexible plastics, which are widely utilized yet notoriously challenging to recycle. In 2025, it initiated several projects across Europe and North America as a part of its Flexible Waste Program. These initiatives employ market-oriented strategies to align waste management protocols with end-market requirements, ensuring the development of viable solutions.

One particularly innovative approach is being tested in Phoenix, Arizona, where the Alliance has developed a collection model specifically for flexible plastics at commercial and industrial locations. This project, in collaboration with RME Defeats Waste, provides on-site packaging and demand-based collection services to smaller generators, creating practical recycling avenues where traditional collection approaches fall short.

Moreover, a comprehensive study assessing the U.S. flexible plastics market is being conducted to gauge supply and demand, along with quantifying market opportunities for recycled flexible plastics.

Mobilizing Capital for Circular Solutions

One of the Alliance's critical challenges is mobilizing capital to realize a wide-scale circular economy for plastics. Over the past year, it has expanded its role as a catalyst for investment in circular plastics by leveraging capital and expertise to mitigate project risks, strengthen investment portfolios, and unlock additional funding from diverse partners.

As part of this effort, the Plastic Circularity Strategy, which the Alliance helped establish with initial funding and technical support, successfully completed its funding round in the summer of 2026. This initiative continues to invest in growth capital for companies innovating to foster plastic circularity. Among the beneficiaries are Spanish-based Fych Technologies and Swiss company Bloom Biorenewables, both working on groundbreaking solutions to tackle the circularity challenge.

Conclusion

The Alliance to End Plastic Waste’s 2025 Progress Report is a testament to its commitment and rapid progress towards creating a sustainable future free from plastic waste. The collaborative work with industry stakeholders, governments, and NGOs has begun to foster considerable positive impacts across various regions. The upcoming years hold the promise of further advancements as the Alliance continues to strengthen its foundations and amplify its impact in the circular economy of plastics. For more detailed insights, refer to the 2025 Progress Report titled Strategy in Action.