Prize will encourage multi-sector innovation to end plastic pollution.
CONTACT: Catie Tobin
Catherine.Tobin@aspeninstitute.org
Miami Beach, FL, March 12, 2024 – Today, during Aspen Ideas: Climate, EPPIC announced the launch of a prize competition to promote global efforts to advance plastic circularity with an emphasis on innovations in design, production, and recycling. The prize will be developed and launched through EPPIC, being led by the Aspen Institute Energy & Environment Program, an organization of the EPPIC Host Consortium.
EPPIC was created in 2023 as a public-private partnership that convenes governments, businesses, civil society, philanthropies, and others to galvanize global action on plastic pollution by supporting projects around the world to make the full lifecycle of plastic more sustainable. EPPIC is hosted by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) with partners the Aspen Institute (USA), The Ocean Foundation (USA), and Searious Business (NL), with initial seed funding from the U.S. Department of State.
“Stakeholders along the entire plastics value chain must join forces in science-based innovation and practical business solutions to drive systemic change and end plastic pollution forever. The Aspen Institute is excited to play a role in building collaborative efforts in bringing together innovators who are ready to envision the next phase of plastic circularity across the globe,” said Greg Gershuny, Executive Director at the Aspen Institute Energy & Environment Program.
“Through EPPIC, we hope to galvanize global action that builds on the momentum from the ongoing negotiations for an international, legally binding instrument to halt plastic pollution. We’re excited about the prize and hope that national and regional actors feel empowered to effectively engage in and address plastic pollution with our Collaborative,” said Keri Holland, Acting Division Chief, Multilateral Affairs at U.S. Department of State.
“Plastic pollution must be tackled across the entire plastic life cycle. From production to waste management, we must work together to build a circular economy for plastics. The announcement of EPPIC’s innovation prize is an exceptional opportunity for the private and public sectors to unite across the world for a healthier planet for all,” said Jonathan Gillibrand, Senior Advisor, Bureau of Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs, U.S. Department of State.
For more information on EPPIC and to see more details around the Prize as they are released, visit here.
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End Plastic Pollution International Collaborative (EPPIC) is a public-private partnership that convenes governments, businesses, civil society, philanthropies, and others to galvanize global action on plastic pollution by supporting projects around the world to make the full lifecycle of plastic more sustainable. EPPIC is hosted by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) with partners the Aspen Institute (USA), The Ocean Foundation (USA), and Searious Business (NL), with initial seed funding from the U.S. Department of State.
The Aspen Institute is a global nonprofit organization whose purpose is to ignite human potential to build understanding and create new possibilities for a better world. Founded in 1949, the Institute drives change through dialogue, leadership, and action to help solve society’s greatest challenges. It is headquartered in Washington, DC and has a campus in Aspen, Colorado, as well as an international network of partners. For more information, visit www.aspeninstitute.org.