Belief is Everything

Dear Readers,

Belief. It’s a powerful force, and it reveals itself in many ways. This word rings true for me as I share three updates: a new model of co-investment for the Alliance, the wonder of solutions made real, and the recognition of essential workers. When all is said and done, each comes down to belief – in the power of partnerships, human creativity, and the importance of fairness and respect.

There is an urgent need for different models of impact funding in the drive to eliminate plastic waste. I’m proud to highlight our most recent one. In a Letter of Intent between the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), the Ministry of Public Works and Housing (MPWH), Indonesia and the Alliance on May 23 at the World Water Forum 2024 in Bali, we outline an ambitious co-investment partnership aimed at system change interventions to accelerate Indonesia’s solid waste management. Building on each partner’s strengths, this program will benefit large urban and rural populations across the archipelago.

You can read more about it here.

The intergovernmental negotiations toward an International Legally Binding Instrument on plastic pollution continue, while the EU has already demonstrated – with its new Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation – that governments can make critical decisions together for the common good. Our role is to be a laboratory for developing and testing solutions that work. Already now while the negotiations are still ongoing, we are excited to be able to share our knowledge and experience to accelerate the progress.

Many stakeholders are already running or developing effective and scalable solutions, and we were excited to showcase 40 of them at the fourth and most recent round of negotiations held in Ottawa.

As you watch this video, I hope you are inspired not just by the hard science and vision of these solution creators but also by their passion. Watch the video here.

The work done by waste workers in many countries is critical to reducing plastic pollution. Yet this informal workforce is most often stigmatised, exploited and deprived of basic rights as workers providing an essential service. If we truly believe that everyone is entitled to respect, it is not so difficult to change this. During our one-year Plastic Cycle project in Vietnam, almost 600 waste workers were provided with the support they needed to feel recognised and treated fairly. We came away with four valuable insights which you can find here.

As I end this update, I come back to belief. The plastic waste challenge is daunting but I have always held the belief, we will succeed, and I know that you share my conviction.

Kind regards,

Jacob?

President & CEO?