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Public-Private Partnerships Take Center Stage

Hosted by The Aspen Institute, with partners International Union for Conservation of Nature (Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹ûÏÖ³¡Ö±²¥), The Ocean Foundation, and Searious Business, and with support from the U.S. Department of State, the EPPIC convening highlighted the power of public-private partnerships (PPPs) in addressing the global plastics crisis.

All attending stakeholders explored strategies to redesign the food and beverage industry’s approach to product delivery, packaging, waste management, waste reduction, and related issues, fostering collaboration for impactful solutions. The initiative continually seeks to engage multilateral stakeholders to tackle the plastic pollution crisis while catalysing the transition toward sustainable practices.

The Coca-Cola Foundation presents its EPPIC Partnership with USD $10 million Commitment

The Coca-Cola Foundation, with funds and supportÌýdedicated to the IslandPlas project, announced its own EPPIC partnership during the INC-5 event.Ìý

This IslandPlas project grant aims to support circular solution implementation efforts in Mauritius, Cabo Verde, Comoros, Madagascar, São Tomé and Príncipe, Seychelles, and Zanzibar, to mitigate plastic waste leakage and assist the islands' transition towards waste-free environments. It aims to enhance the livelihoods of approximately 9,600 individuals in the informal waste sector, reduce plastic waste through the collection of approximately 14,000 tons and recycling of approximately 5,600 tons, and spur economic growth by leveraging US$2 million in capital investments towards innovation and enterprise development in the sector.

Over 100 EPPIC Members Announced

Also announced at Busan was the news that, after only one year, there are now over 100 important members* working together to achieve the EPPIC objectives.Ìý

With an increasing number of global and national partners and members working with its already strong foundational consortium, EPPIC is emerging as a powerful uniting platform for growing dialogue, fostering innovation, and moving these to ground-level action.

Objectives and Achievements during INC-5

This Busan convening was intended to be more than just a meeting; it was expected to be another stepping stone toward meaningful change.

The event:

• Facilitated Knowledge Sharing. By connecting stakeholders across regions, EPPIC enhanced understanding of effective plastic reduction strategies.
• Encouraged Business and Policy Development. Participants shared ideas for fostering future innovation, issuing grant requests, and supporting policy shifts.
• Celebrated Progress. The dialogue highlighted EPPIC's achievements since INC-4, reinforcing the initiative’s role as a catalyst for action.
• Expanded the Network. By promoting the EPPIC partnership and encouraging new members and partners, the initiative broadened its impact and reach.

A continuing call to join EPPIC as Partner or Member

EPPIC’s work in Busan has generated conversations that will drive forward solutions to the plastics crisis by focusing on the food and beverage industry’s product, packaging, and waste generation. Through finding common ground and the resultant shared solutions, the initiative also seeks to address systemic challenges in other sectors.

As the world continues its journey toward an international, legally binding instrument to end plastic pollution, EPPIC looks to bring all stakeholders together in its progress.Ìý

To learn more about EPPIC and how to get involved, at any level, visit the EPPIC Web Pages.ÌýÌý

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*An EPPIC partner is an entity actively collaborating with EPPIC on impact work measurably reducing pollution and promoting a circular economy. Partners engage in EPPIC’s implementation activities, often with resources, skills, and insights. They may cohost events, fund projects and innovation, provide expertise, and participate in advisory groups. Partnership implies a deeper, project-based commitment to shared goals and achievements.

*An EPPIC member is an entity dedicated to supporting EPPIC’s mission, objectives, and outcomes by pledging to EPPIC’s commitment to ending plastic pollution and advancing circularity. Members actively contribute by aligning their own actions and resources with EPPIC’s goals. Membership signifies a shared dedication to galvanizing global action to end plastic pollution.

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