Library | ESG issues
Plastics
Plastics are synthetic polymers widely used in products such as packaging, electronics, and construction materials. While some plastics can be recycled to reduce environmental impact, improper disposal leads to significant pollution and ecological challenges. Investors can engage with companies to encourage reduced plastic use, improved recycling practices, and innovation in sustainable alternatives to mitigate these risks and promote long-term accountability.
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From chemical risk to competitive advantage: What BPA, PFAS, phthalates, and microplastics teach sustainability leaders about anticipating the next chemical of concern
This report examines the transition of BPA, PFAS, phthalates, and microplastics from beneficial chemicals to substances of concern. It identifies recurring risk signals, such as biological activity and persistence, providing a framework for sustainability leaders to anticipate future regulatory shifts and lead through proactive, safer material innovation.
The petrochemical blind spot: Plastics, fertilisers and bank profits
This research report explores the petrochemical industry’s environmental and human rights impacts, documenting how European banks provide billions in financing to major chemical firms. It highlights the sector’s role in driving fossil fuel demand and recommends that financial institutions implement robust plastics policies and cease financing industry expansions.
The battle for plastic hegemony: the petrochemical historical bloc and the UN Global Plastics Treaty
This report examines the petrochemical historical bloc and its influence on the UN Global Plastics Treaty. It analyses how corporate-led partnerships, such as the Alliance to End Plastic Waste, use the circular economy concept to prioritise downstream waste management while protecting plastic production from restrictive upstream regulations.
Advancing responsible recycled plastics value chains through traceability and transparency: Learnings from the Responsible Sourcing Initiative
This report explores implementing traceability in recycled plastics value chains. Drawing on pilots in Viet Nam and Indonesia, it identifies misaligned incentives and data governance as primary barriers. It recommends integrating traceability into existing business processes and provides a decision framework to support organisations at different maturity stages.
Breaking the bottleneck: How advance market commitments can bridge the supply-demand gap in recycled materials
This research evaluates advance market commitments to bridge the supply-demand imbalance for recycled materials. It identifies opportunities in mixed plastic, textile waste, and paper-based alternatives, advocating for binding financial agreements to incentivise investment in recycling capacity and support global sustainability targets.
Poison plastics: How chemicals in everyday plastics are harming your health
This Environmental Justice Foundation report examines the health risks associated with chemicals in everyday plastics. It reveals that 92.8% of assessed chemicals pose high risks, including cancer and hormone disruption. The document calls for a Global Plastics Treaty to reduce production and eliminate hazardous substances through a precautionary approach.
Global MDB Investments in Petrochemicals Tracker
An interactive database and map developed by IEEFA and IAP that tracks over USD 10 billion in petrochemical investments from 16 multilateral development banks, highlighting institutional exposure to fossil-fuel-intensive projects.
Regionalized characterization factors for microplastic emissions in life cycle assessment considering multimedia fate modelling
This research establishes regionalised characterisation factors for microplastic emissions across marine, freshwater, and terrestrial ecosystems. Using fate modelling aligned with USEtox, it evaluates 14 polymers and five size categories. Findings demonstrate that particle size and density significantly influence environmental persistence and subsequent impacts on global species richness.
Tiny plastics big problem: The hidden risks of plastic pouches for baby food
Greenpeace research identifies significant microplastic contamination in Danone and Nestlé baby food pouches. The report highlights the rapid market shift towards flexible plastic packaging, outstripping regulatory protections. It recommends a 75% reduction in plastic production by 2040 and urges manufacturers to prioritise non-toxic, reusable alternatives to protect infant health.
Plastic footprint guidelines
The Plastic Footprint Network's guidance document presents a science-based methodology for assessing corporate plastic footprints. Developed by over 100 professionals from 35 organisations, the framework comprises 11 modules covering macroplastics and microplastics, providing practitioners with a step-by-step process for measuring plastic leakage and reporting results.
Innovation in plastics: The potential and possibilities
This report examines plastic use and waste management, particularly in India, outlining environmental impacts and the need for circular solutions. It reviews bioplastics, packaging redesign, innovation and start-up activity, and proposes policy, business and entrepreneurial opportunities to advance plastics circularity and reduce single-use plastics.
Marico Innovation Foundation
Marico Innovation Foundation (MIF) is a philanthropic organisation that supports impact-driven innovation and entrepreneurship in India. It works with startups, innovators and ecosystem partners to scale solutions in areas such as climate adaptation, plastic waste management, clean technology and agriculture technology, aiming to create large-scale social, environmental and economic impact.
Systems-informed stewardship part II: Bringing a systems perspective to stewardship
This article applies a systems lens to stewardship, arguing that fragmented intermediation and entrenched short-term time horizons undermine sustainability outcomes. It calls for recognising these structural barriers as a critical step toward more effective, systems-informed stewardship.
Plastic promises scorecard series
The Corporate Plastic Pollution Scorecard is a benchmark series that assesses how large consumer-facing companies address plastic packaging responsibility. It reviews corporate policies, commitments, disclosures, and practices across key areas of packaging design, reuse, recycled content, transparency, recycling support, and producer responsibility, enabling consistent comparison over time.
Fashion’s plastic paralysis: How brands resist change and fuel microplastic pollution
The report examines fashion brands’ continued reliance on synthetic fibres, highlighting how voluntary commitments, lobbying, and weak accountability delay fibre reduction and regulation. It links current business models to rising microplastic pollution and concludes that systemic policy and production changes are required.
One-earth fashion: 33 transformation targets for a just fashion system within planetary boundaries
The report outlines fashion’s environmental and social impacts and proposes 33 time-bound transformation targets across materials, labour, value distribution and governance. It calls for reduced virgin inputs, fair working conditions and paradigm shifts to align the global fashion system with planetary boundaries and social justice.
