Our Commitment
Our commitment is to lead the UK in diverting plastics from landfill by 2020 in order to reduce climate change impact, address the energy deficit, and achieve a step change in efficient use of resources.
We made this founding commitment at our launch which took place at the Houses
of Parliament in Westminster on 7 July 2009.
We made four more detailed commitments which are set out below and which will be
updated and expanded over time as we make progress.
We are delighted that Parliamentarians signed up to support our founding commitments on 7 July 2009

Duke of Montrose, Shadow Minister for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs
Founding Commitments
REDUCE
Reduce wastage and environmental impact by continuous innovation of
lightweight, high performance plastic materials and products.
REUSE
Develop new solutions and designs to increase the reuse of plastic products.
RECYCLE
Double plastic packaging recycling rate by 2020 through working in partnership
with the whole value chain and all levels of government to facilitate and promote
effective markets, technologies and infrastructure.
RECOVER
Support high efficiency energy from waste techniques for end-of-life plastics
where recycling is not an option.
Todays Plastics
The use of plastic has increased dramatically over the last 20 years. Plastic is now a vitally important component in many different industries and business sectors.
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Health
PVC blood bags, surgical appliances, even plastic blood, our health has improved with the help of plastic.
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Travel
Plastic helps us travel more efficiently in lighter and more durable, planes, trains and automobiles.
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Environment
Reducing waste, saving energy and recycling, just some of the ways plastic is helping us improve the environment.
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Home
Efficient PVC windows, plastic foam insulation and water pipes, plastic helps us build better homes.
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Sport & leisure
Lighter footballs, waterproofing, moulded shoes, plastic makes it comfortable and fun.
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Food & drink
Preserving food, preventing waste, plastic makes the earth’s natural resources go further and last longer.
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Communications
PC’s, laptops, mobile devices, plastic protects technology and allows us to communicate wherever we happen to be.
