Plastic pledges - together for sustainable plastic use

What are plastic pledges?

Plastic pledges are collaborations where companies, authorities and organisations can agree on common objective and commitments to make plastic use more sustainable. The idea is that actors in different parts of the value chain can work towards the same objective, for example reducing the use of certain products, replacing fossil plastics with bio-based raw materials or increasing recycling.

Each plastic pledge is based on a common objective where different actors contribute their part of the solution. In this way, collaboration is created between producers, users, recyclers, the public sector and others actors who together can drive the transition faster than if each organisation acted on its own.

Åsa Stenmarck tells more about plastic pledges

Watch the film where Åsa Stenmarck, responsible for National Plastics Coordination at the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency, tells more about what plastic pledges are and how they can contribute to more sustainable plastic use.

Who is behind the initiative on plastic pledges?

The Swedish Environmental Protection Agency is running the initiative in collaboration with Vinnova. The Swedish Environmental Protection Agency is coordinating public authority for National Plastic Coordination, which aims to use plastic in the right places and in a way that is resource-efficient, circular, non-toxic and climate-smart, with as little leakage as possible.

National Plastics Coordination at the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency

What does a plastic pledge need to contain?

Plastic pledges will contribute to measurable progress, increased commitment and increased collaboration for sustainable plastic use.
Plastic promises can look a little different depending on the structure, but they all need to contain something.

• More than two actors
• Aim and a common goal. A common promise that means increased collaboration and movement towards more sustainable plastic use.
• Individual commitments for all parties that can be followed up annually. These commitments should clearly contribute to the common promise.
• A plan for collaboration and follow-up
• A designated contact person

To make it easier to work with plastic pledges, there is a template for inspiration.

Template in pdf [PL1.1]

template-plastic-lofte-2026 [PL2.1]) (1).docx

In addition to making a difference in themselves, plastic pledges can also inspire others. Therefore, plastic pledges that live up to their commitments will be made visible by the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency and Vinnova in digital channels and through events.

Plastic pledges approved by the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency and Vinnova are published on the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency's website Plastic pledges. All plastic pledges are followed up annually by the secretariat function (the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency's national plastic coordination and Vinnova) and are taken down from the page if the actors' follow-up is missing or incomplete.

Launch of Plastic Pledges

On October 16, the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency and Vinnova will launch the Plastic Pledges initiative. During the day, the first plastic pledges, experiences from participation organisations and opportunities to develop new collaborations for more sustainable plastic use will be presented.

The event is aimed at companies, the public sector, research actors, industry organizations and others who want to contribute to the transition.

Seven project show the way towards circular plastic use

Already today, there are a number of plastic pledges made. Genom Vinnovas's previous call for proposals Plastic contracts for sustainable plastic use have seven project received funding. Together, they will lay the foundation for future plastic pledges and drive the development towards more circular and resource-efficient plastic flows.

The projects represent a broad effort approach to developing new ways to use, recycle and reuse plastics in various sectors, from packaging and food distribution to the energy and construction industries.

Meet three of the projects who tell us what they want to achieve

All project who received funding

Re:Serve – from disposable to reusable

The project aims to replace single-use packaging in public catering kitchens with reusable vacuum boxes. The goal is to develop a circular system for collection, cleaning and reuse that reduces waste, carbon emissions and microplastic leakage.
More about the project Re:Serve

Re:net

The project focuses on building a functioning system for the collection and recycling of plastic from fishing gear. The aim is to increase material recycling and reduce the amount of plastic ending up in the ocean through joint commitments and collaboration across the value chain.
More about the project Re:net

Circular and non-toxic recycling of plastic from cables

The project develops methods for recycling cable plastic, which is currently classified as hazardous waste. The goal is to enable non-toxic and circular management through technical solutions, improved sorting and policy development so that more cable plastic can be recycled with high quality.
More about the project Circular and non-toxic recycling of plastic from cable

Cork to Cork

The project aims to demonstrate that corks from the Swedish deposit system can be recycled into new food corks. The work includes investigation of chemical safety, purification processes and EU-eligibility requirements to enable recycling in the food sector and reduce the need for new plastic.
More about the project Cork to Cork

PackLOOP

The project brings together the packaging industry's actors to create closed material loops for plastic packaging from businesses. It will develop a shared vision and test models for an innovative take-back system that makes recycling more efficient and large-scale.
More about the PackLOOP project

ReBladeNet

The project develops joint solutions for recycling end-of-life wind turbine blades made of fiberglass composite. It will increase recycling rates, reduce the amount of composite that goes to incineration, and lay the foundation for a plastics contract that defines responsibility and objective throughout the value chain.
More about the ReBladeNet project

Compobuilding 360

The project maps composite waste from the construction and civil engineering sector and identifies barriers and opportunities for circular solutions. The goal is to develop a basis for a plastics contract that shows how the construction sector can reduce waste and create new business models for recycling plastic composites.
More about the project Kompobygg 360

More about the call for proposals

Plastic contract for sustainable plastic use

Do you want to join in and get involved?

We welcome actors from business, the public sector, academia and civil society who want to contribute to the transition. Whether your organisation works with production, use, reuse, recycling or development of new materials, there is an opportunity to contribute to existing plastic pledges or be involved in developing new ones.

Get in touch if you have any questions or want to get involved!

Contact us