Académique Documents
Professionnel Documents
Culture Documents
reducing
ocean
waste
2 | The Business Case for Reducing Ocean Waste
2
Contents
Foreword 04
Executive summary 07
1
Introduction
From the plastic age to the ocean waste age…
Plastic marine debris: an issue for business
08
09
10
Why this report? 12
Focus of the report 13
2
Business drivers
Four main business drivers
Mapping to the value chain
14
15
19
Case studies: best practices illustrating some of the key business drivers 22
3
Business co-benefits
Economic benefits
Environmental benefits
26
27
27
Social benefits 28
4
Conclusion
Summary
Next steps
30
31
31
Appendices 32
Definitions 32
Acronyms 32
Gaps and limitations 32
References 33
Acknowledgements 36
The issue of ocean plastic is rising on Several leading companies along the Furthermore, business stands to benefit
the global policy agenda, as evidenced plastics value chain have already started from contributing to the solution.
in the UN adoption of Sustainable to invest in land-based solutions to Benefits include reducing the risks
Development Goal (SDG) 14 – part of reduce plastics leakage to the ocean. of losing core business in a context
which calls for action to address marine Solutions range from industry-specific of growing regulatory and consumer
pollution. innovations to multi-stakeholder pressure, enhancing our brands’
partnerships. The challenge remains on reputation by demonstrating leadership
Without significant action, there may
how to scale-up these efforts, alongside in solving the issue and growing our
be more plastic than fish in the ocean
improvements in waste management, to business through the development of
by weight by 20501. Impacts go far
prevent and significantly reduce marine new products or businesses.
beyond images of large marine creatures
pollution.
ingesting and getting entangled in We strongly encourage you to join us
plastic rubbish. Overall, the natural As business leaders, we joined WBCSD’s and start tackling this important issue.
capital cost of marine plastic pollution Roadmap for reducing Ocean Waste It is time to act and seize the massive
for the consumer goods industry alone (ROW) program to galvanize the broader opportunity of capturing the $80-120
is estimated to be at least 4.7 billion per business community to prioritize billion in annual economic value currently
year2. ocean waste prevention. Our aim is to lost to the economy due to not capturing
demonstrate that plastic marine debris single-use plastic packaging material
Approximately 80% of ocean waste –
presents material risks and opportunities after use6.
also called marine debris – comes from
to the entire plastics value chain.
land-based sources3. To effectively We must act now to reverse
address the problem, we must close the This report identifies the business the current trend of marine
tap and prevent valuable plastic waste drivers for companies along the value
from flooding into the ocean in the first chain to address marine debris.
pollution and preserve a
place. thriving ocean ecosystem for
Business leaders – especially those in the future.
There is no one-size-fits-all scenario. plastic, packaging, consumer products
Yet, there is growing consensus that and waste management – must
improvements in waste collection and recognize that plastic marine debris is
management, in concert with a more a material issue for their businesses.
sustainable plastics life cycle, are key Beyond the typical business actors,
parts of the equation4. most of the business community is not
yet involved.
We believe that plastic marine
debris presents significant risks and Bridging this gap and getting more
opportunities for business. The private companies on board is essential to
sector has a key role to play in the enable impact at scale. As business,
solution. It is up to the public sector to we possess the innovation potential
adopt policies that foster innovation and and technical know-how to significantly
stimulate investment in these solutions reduce marine pollution by 20255.
that close the plastics loop.
Many leading companies have developed The four drivers, and their respective risks Figure 1:
solutions to reduce marine littering. These and opportunities, should be considered Summary of the main business drivers
range from industry-specific innovations a menu of business cases that a company for companies to reduce ocean waste
to multi-stakeholder partnerships. While or individual can reference or choose
many solutions already exist, they are from. Deciding which drivers are material Maintain core business
mainly developed by a small number to your company will depend on your
of companies. Most of the business sector and position in the value chain. • Regulatory risk
community is not yet involved. For each of the four drivers, the report • Consumer misperception of plastics
details concrete business risks and • Financial risk
To bridge this gap and to get more
companies on board, we developed the opportunities. It also showcases
following Business Case for Action. perspectives and best practices from Enhance brand and reputation
leading companies who are already
prioritizing marine debris in their corporate • Corporate responsibilty
Three key takeaways:
agendas through a series of case studies. • Mission & values
1. Business can and should play a key • Reputational risk
role in addressing marine debris by Business benefits • Customer loyalty
having more companies involved to
Solutions to reducing ocean waste can • License to operate
scale-up emerging solutions. The
generate additional environmental, • Stakeholders’ involvement
time for action is now.
social and economic benefits, creating
2. There are four business drivers shared value beyond company walls.
Secure competitive advantage
which define the material impact For instance, job creation, inclusion of
of marine debris on any given the informal waste management sector, • New business
company: maintaining core business, and better environmental conditions will • New products
enhancing brand and reputation, contribute to better living conditions in • Greater talent
securing competitive advantage and cities and communities where companies
• Differentiation
improving business operations. operate. This is likely to enhance local
stakeholders’ trust in business, and
3. There is a proven social impact
improve community engagement. Improve business operations
which businesses can drive with
the engagement in reducing marine
Call to action • Costs of alternative packaging
debris. options
Ultimately, this report is a call to action
Our goal is to encourage business for the entire private sector. The issue • Loss of material procurement options
leaders, especially those in plastics, of ocean plastic pollution is deeply • Secondary material supply
packaging, consumer products and embedded in climate change mitigation, • CO2 mitigation
waste management companies, to circular economy, water, waste
prioritize ocean waste prevention in management and is rising on the global
their respective corporate agendas. policy agenda. Adoption of Sustainable
Broader business engagement and Development Goals (SDG) 12 on
Plastic marine debris: an in infrastructure, design, collection What are the main drivers
issue for business and processing systems can
facilitate decreased leakage into the
that inspire leading
Solutions exist and have been clearly environment. The recently published companies along the
outlined in several recent studies29: New Plastics Economy – Catalyzing plastics value chain to
• In the short and medium-
Action report outlines a set of priority consider this sustainability
term: In Stemming the Tide, The
actions that would underpin such a issue in the first place?
systemic transition towards a more
Ocean Conservancy estimates Many businesses are either responsible
sustainable plastics life cycle31.
that accelerated development for or impacted by plastics marine litter.
of collection infrastructure and Business has a key role to play. Figure 2 summarizes the complex links
commercially viable waste treatment Many leading companies have made between various industrial sectors and
options could reduce plastic waste investments in solutions to reduce the sources/impacts of marine litter.
leakage by about 45% globally. marine littering, especially plastics. Such
These developments would directly solutions range from industry-specific Adoption of the ocean-dedicated SDG
contribute to achieving SDG14’s innovations – like the design of new 1433 and endorsement of the “Because
first target: By 2025, prevent and products and the development of new the Ocean” Declaration at Conference
significantly reduce marine pollution product design tools that consider of the Parties 21 are signs that ocean
of all kinds, in particular from land- product end-of-life – all the way to management is garnering increased
based activities, including marine multi-stakeholder partnerships32. In such attention at the international policy level.
debris and nutrient pollution30. collaborative efforts, companies across Further, the resolution adopted by the
the value chain partner with public and United Nations Environment Assembly
• In the long-term: Further innovation (UNEA) in 2016 on marine plastic litter
non-governmental organizations to
across the plastics value chain is and micro-plastics34 sends another
improve regional waste collection and
required to potentially eliminate strong signal. This global trend should
processing systems.
plastic waste leakage from the five be reinforced across international policy,
aforementioned southeast Asian as marine debris is at the crossroads of
countries by 2035. Encouraging other key sustainability agendas like the
broader use of circular economy recent climate negotiations35 or the New
principles and making improvements Urban Agenda36.
Figure 2:
Links between industrial sectors and ocean waste. Note: although plastic bans have direct implications on industry, they
are included as “indirect impacts” as legislation is a potential consequence of the issue itself.
Source: Based on data from UNEP and GRID-Arendal, 2016.
LAND
USERS:
Brand owners (incl. Food Waste mgt industry Producers & converters
& Bev)
Retailers Raw material extractors
Construction
Agriculture
SEA
Direct source (direct plastic release to the environment) Direct impact (direct costs incurred)
Indirect source (plastic footprint high but almost no direct release Indirect impact (foreseeable damages not
to the environment) directly quantifiable in natural capital accounting)
Why this report? Additional economic, environmental three-year action plan whereby WBCSD
and social benefits are generated by and its member companies implement
Despite the clear roadmap for global these solutions (co-benefits), creating the following steps:
action and the quality of the current shared value beyond the company walls.
solutions deployed, we are far from • Define a set of solutions that
Moreover, these co-benefits can be
reaching the scale required. One of the business can implement – both
used as common ground for establishing
barriers to scaling action is the unclear individually and collectively – to reach
new Public-Private Partnerships (PPP).
business case for companies to invest in impact at scale.
For instance, public authorities may
preventing plastic marine debris. Beyond be interested in social co-benefits • Identify potential barriers to
the usual suspects, most of the business such as job creation and public health implementing this Business Action
community is not yet involved. enhancement37. Plan.
To bridge this gap and get more Solutions to reverse the current trend • Develop a demonstration
companies on board, we developed exist, and businesses possess the project in key city to illustrate that
the following Business Case for Action. know-how and innovation potential to implementation barriers can be
Our goal is to encourage business drive impact at scale. It is time to act overcome, and that the Action Plan
leaders, especially those in plastics, and seize the massive opportunity of brings tangible results.
packaging, consumer products and capturing the $80-120 billion in annual
waste management companies, to • Collaborate with key stakeholders
economic value lost due to inadequate
prioritize ocean waste prevention in of the project city – local government,
design and after-use management
their respective corporate agendas. business partners, NGOs, social and
of single-use plastic packaging
waste management organizations.
This report outlines the primary business material.38
drivers leading different companies • Measure progress against key
This study is also the first step in the
along the plastics value chain to make performance indicators, and reflect
Roadmap for reducing Ocean Waste
investments in marine debris on-land upon the project impacts.
(ROW) WBCSD Business Solution.
prevention. It is designed as a tool for • Apply lessons learned in other
business leaders to make the case ROW seeks to galvanize the business
geographical locations. Broader
within their companies and value community to prioritize ocean protection
replication will be possible once a
chains. by demonstrating that on-land marine
few projects will have proven to be
plastics litter prevention makes business
successful.
sense. The Roadmap is designed as a
Figure 1:
The four main business drivers, and corresponding sub-drivers, for companies to reduce ocean waste.
Maintain core business Enhance brand & reputation Secure competitive advantage Improve business operations
• Regulatory risk • Corporate responsibilty • New business • Costs of alternative
• Consumer • Mission & values • New products packaging options
misperception of • Reputational risk • Greater talent • Loss of material
plastics procurement options
• Customer loyalty • Differentiation
• Financial risk • Secondary material supply
• License to operate
• CO2 mitigation
• Stakeholders’
involvement
• Consumer perception of plastics • Top talent In the plastics industry, two recent
studies from Trucost60 applied
• Financial risks • Differentiation natural capital valuation techniques
to value the environmental costs
of plastics and alternatives in the
BUSINESS OPERATIONS BUSINESS OPERATIONS
consumer products sector. Both
• Loss of procurement options • Secondary material supply studies consider the downstream
• Consequences of alternative • CO2 mitigation impacts of plastics on the ocean
packaging options by estimating their economic and
environmental impacts.
Mapping to the value chain • On average, the upstream section Pressure to account for natural
capital risk is increasing. The
of the plastics value chain
The following diagram (figure 2) details (producers and converters) indicates Natural Capital Protocol, developed
the degree to which each of the drivers by the Natural Capital Coalition and
more risks than opportunities as
is material to each value chain player. WBCSD, aims to provide guidance
material issues. for companies on how to measure
This is based on interviews conducted
• Interestingly, companies and value their impacts and
by WBCSD.
downstream (retailers and waste dependencies on natural capital in
Through this table, the following are a consistent manner.
management companies) rank more
clear: opportunities than risks as material
• Most drivers appear to be material issues. Brand owners rank risks and
for each value chain position. opportunities the same.
• Some drivers are material for all • Plastics producers and converters
value chain levels: rank the same top three risks and
opportunities.
o Responsibility to care for plastics
end-of-life
o Risk to upholding company’s
mission
o The opportunity to develop new
businesses and products
Figure 2:
Mapping of the drivers’ materiality to the value chain. Dark blue refers to a high level of materiality while light blue
represents a low level of materiality. The data is based on 11 interviews conducted by WBCSD in the context of this study.
By selecting the top drivers for each category, we see key messages for each part of the value chain.
“Continually reducing end of life environmental impact and facilitating recycling for all
our packaging is a key driver in our product and packaging development process.
Preventing the disposal of packaging into the environment, including marine littering is
part of our ambition to eliminate our impact upon the environment.”
Duncan Pollard, AVP, Stakeholders Engagement in Sustainability, Nestlé
Case studies: best practices illustrating some of the key business drivers
Case Study 1 – Mitsubishi Shinryo Corporation, a business The reduced raw garbage eased the
Chemical Holdings division of Mitsubishi Chemical
Holdings Group, focuses on providing
collection and recycling of plastics, glass,
paper and metals in garbage.
Corporation business solutions to ensure a
Next to the composting center, a garbage
resource-efficient and recycling-
Building a community-based solid bank was built for community residents
oriented society, including material
waste management system to deposit recyclable paper, plastics,
recycling of plastics and chemical
glass and metals. In return for recycling,
recycling.
Driver illustrated participants receive payments to their
As a core member of The JICA (Japan bank accounts.
• Opportunity to demonstrate International Cooperation Agency)
respect for local environmental The garbage bank collected 27 tons of
Partnership Program for Promoting
and social health, securing recyclable rubbish in 2015. Of the 27 tons
Efficiency of Waste Management in
license to operate of recycled waste, plastics accounted for
Medan City, Republic of Indonesia,
30%, some of which could have become
Shinryo has been engaged in
ocean debris. At the end of the project in
building a community-based solid
2016, the number of households engaged
waste management system, which
in household composting and garbage
complements a centralized waste
banking increased from 400 to 1,400.
management system by offering
immediate solutions to communities and This project highlights the critical roles of
developing areas. local community and local government,
as well as the importance of a holistic and
The primary goals of the program were
flexible approach to address local needs.
to reduce final waste for landfill and to
It also shows the need for establishing a
increase waste recycling in selected
sustainable business ecosystem of waste
model districts in Medan City.
handling and recycling.
In collaboration with Medan City, local
A local perspective and a holistic
NGOs and Kitakyushu City, Shinryo
approach are essential to curb plastic
provided technical guidance in
waste generated in developing
composting organic waste, building a
economies. This example showcases
community system of recycling, and
how a business solution provider can
raising awareness on waste handling.
successfully collaborate with local
After studies on local waste and government and community to address
dumpsites, a new composting center was local needs while minimizing abandoned
built to handle raw garbage from a local plastic waste.
public market. In parallel, 400 households
initially participated in household
composting to reduce garbage
generation.
Case Study 3 – Geocycle – the waste treatment and Their solution is to transform waste
LafargeHolcim-Geocycle management entity of LafargeHolcim –
was founded over 30 years ago.
into fuels and raw materials through
pre-processing, thereby avoiding
environmental contamination.
Originally created to reduce energy costs
Co-processing plastics reduces at the Group’s cement plants by using Through expertise and state-of-the-art
the use of primary fuels and alternative fuels derived from waste, it environmental filters, Geocycle is able to
mitigates CO2 emissions developed over time into a full waste manage waste in a safe manner as they
management services organization. transform it into usable products.
Driver illustrated Geocycle offers its customers solutions For example, alternative fuels created are
• Opportunity to mitigate CO2 for a wide range of waste, including co-processed in a cement kiln to produce
emissions industrial and municipal plastics. By clinker – the main ingredient of cement.
managing waste in a sustainable way, Clinker kilns have a minimum temperature
Geocyle directly contributes to reducing of 1450 °C, much higher than traditional
waste leakage into the ocean. incinerators that operate at 800 or 900°C.
At this high temperature, dangerous
Plastic material is quite a common waste
substances are rendered inert.
stream for Geocycle, representing about
2 million tons of its annual volume. In many By extension, their use of these alternative
http://www.lafargeholcim.com/2030-plan countries where Geocycle operates, fuels helps reduce CO2 emissions by
plastic waste ends up in landfills and can replacing primary traditional fuels, such
potentially leak into rivers and oceans. as coal, petcoke or natural gas. At the
current rate of 15% alternative fuel use,
The overall objective of LafargeHolcim
LafargeHolcim is able to reduce its CO2
and Geocycle is to increase the amount
emissions by about 14 million tons a year.
of waste-derived fuels from six to 13
Of this emissions reduction, 4.8 million
million tons in 2020, to 21 million tonnes
tons are due to the use of plastic waste as
in 2030. They estimate that plastic waste
alternative fuel.
will represent one-third of these volumes.
For Geocycle, this means treating an
additional 2 million tons of plastic waste by
2020 and another 3 million tons by 2030.