UK businesses back global Plastic Pollution Treaty

Over 20 UK and global businesses have signed a joint statement backing an ambitious and legally binding global treaty to end plastic pollution. 

The statement, coordinated by Defra and co-chaired by Minister Emma Hardy and the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, was released ahead of the second part of the fifth Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC-5.2), which begins on 5 August 2025. 

Signatories include significant players across the plastic value chain such as Unilever, Nestlé, Tesco, Coca-Cola Europacific Partners, and TOMRA, alongside financial institutions like Legal & General and ING. The statement calls for a treaty that addresses the full lifecycle of plastics, promotes circular economy principles, and ensures accountability through robust monitoring and reporting mechanisms.  

The roundtable builds on a similar event held in November 2024 and reflects growing private sector momentum for systemic change. Non-private sector organisations including WRAP and the Chartered Institution of Wastes Management have also endorsed the statement. 

This collective call from industry leaders underscores the critical role of policy in enabling scalable solutions to plastic pollution. 

The statement remains open for additional signatories until the start of INC-5.2. If you are interested, organisations can contact Defra at marinelitter@defra.gov.uk.