The WWF is run at a local level by the following offices...
- WWF Global
- Adria
- Argentina
- Armenia
- AsiaPacific
- Australia
- Austria
- Azerbaijan
- Belgium
- Bhutan
- Bolivia
- Borneo
- Brazil
- Bulgaria
- Cambodia
- Cameroon
- Canada
- Caucasus
- Central African Republic
- Central America
- Central Asia
- Chile
- China
- Colombia
- Croatia
- Democratic Republic of the Congo
- Denmark
- Ecuador
- European Policy Office
- Finland
A decade ago, plastic pollution was considered a waste problem – the outcome of improper disposal. Today, WWF has contributed to a deeper regional understanding that plastic pollution is a problem that must be fixed at every stage of the plastic life cycle.
WWF’s work to promote a circular plastics economy started in 2019 with the development of a voluntary agreement between national players – the South African Plastics Pact – and research on the plastic pollution challenge in the country that culminated in the publication of Plastics: Facts and Futures in 2020. A year later, we published our research-based recommendations for South Africa’s upcoming Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) regulations.
Combined, this work established us as trusted experts and thought leaders on plastic pollution in the African region, willing and able to provide robust technical support to the African Group of Negotiators (Africa Group), a coalition of 54 African states that negotiate collectively in high-level discussions to shape a potential Global Plastics Treaty that has, to date, remained out of reach.
To support the ability of African countries to manage plastic pollution more sustainably, WWF has, over the past five years, advocated for various strategic interventions, policies and regulations to combat plastic pollution in Africa; conducted research into gaps and opportunities in plastics policy across Africa; developed the economic case for a circular plastics economy using Côte d’Ivoire, Kenya and South Africa as examples; and investigated the role that informal waste reclaimers play in five African cities in Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa and Uganda.
Back home, our work has focused on deepening understanding about South Africa’s plastics value chain – a historically understudied sector – to identify barriers and opportunities to scale recycling; to assess consumer and industry attitudes towards new product delivery models like “reuse and refill”, as well as recycling after use; and to analyse the socio-economic benefits of phasing out 10 high-risk plastic products still in use across the country.
The South African Plastics Pact, which was co-developed by WWF, is launched. The Pact produces a visual guide for on-pack recycling labels. The Pact is handed over to GreenCape for ongoing management.
Publication: Plastics: Facts and Futures: Moving beyond pollution management towards a circular plastics economy in South Africa.
A WWF-supported project encourages waste reclaimers in Cape Town to join forces to enable collective negotiation for reclaimed material.
Publications: From recycling to (post-consumer) recyclate: Industry views on barriers and opportunities in South Africa; Extended Producer Responsibility for plastic packaging in South Africa: A synthesis report on policy recommendations; Urban lockdown lessons for South Africa: Essential considerations for a resilient and equitable waste and recycling sector.
On the global front, the United Nations (UN) Environment Assembly adopts a resolution to develop a legally binding Global Plastics Treaty. The Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee holds its first session (INC-1) in Punta del Este, Uruguay.
In support of this, WWF starts facilitating communication and collaboration between Africa Group members to prepare for INC meetings.
Publications: Economic case for a circular plastics economy in Africa: Findings and recommendations for Côte d’Ivoire, Kenya and South Africa; Plastic Pollution in Africa: Identifying policy gaps and opportunities; Mainstreaming the informal waste sector: Towards an inclusive circular economy in African cities.
WWF continues facilitating Africa Group engagements ahead of INC meetings.
Publication: Plastic bans and phase-outs: Benefits for South Africa.
WWF supports the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment in developing a draft National Plastics Action Plan.
WWF’s global No Plastics in Nature initiative garners 474 404 signatures, of which 2 275 come from South Africa.
WWF and the UN Industrial Development Organization launch a national project, funded by the Global Environment Facility, to implement strategic circular interventions upstream and midstream in the plastic packaging value chain to reduce plastic pollution from the food and beverage sector.