We Won't Back Down

When we published our inaugural annual impact report in March 2020, we could not have known what the remainder of 2020 would hold. Our usual activity, including international supplier site visits, in-person cross-company workshops, working sessions and conference presentations were no longer feasible. However, this time to reflect has allowed us to take stock of our progress to date and also to acknowledge how much further we have to go. 

NextWave Plastics member companies continue to demonstrate that change is possible at scale and remain committed and optimistic about a future with clean seas, but more action must be taken today. 

In the face of such a tumultuous year, we welcomed CPI Card Group as a new member, built relationships with six new suppliers across five countries, and celebrated ocean-bound plastic product launches from HP Inc, CPI Card Group, Solgaard and Trek. Our work as a network builder was featured by WRI Insights and the Ocean Plastics Leadership Network. In December 2020, the UN recognized NextWave Plastics as a UN SDG Action Award finalist, shining a light on the continued importance of our shared commitment to collaborative action for the ocean, which connects us all.

Since NextWave Plastics was founded in 2017, much has changed. On one hand, ocean-bound plastic has become a well-known resource with a growing number of suppliers and manufacturers offering increasingly high-quality material and certification standards furthering traceability and transparency. On the other hand, the plastic pollution crisis has only accelerated and continues to intensify around the world.

While the COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted supply chains, restricted supplier evaluation, resulted in increased plastic waste, threatened waste worker livelihoods, and depressed recycling markets, NextWave Plastics members are not backing down. In fact, their resolve has only grown with many going above and beyond their commitment to ocean-bound plastic supply chains by continuing to honor supply contracts despite changes in market conditions.

NextWave companies continue to turn off the tap on plastic pollution. We hope you will join them because, together, we can ensure the business-as-usual scenario is not our fate. Download our 2020 annual report and 2021 strategy and join the next wave of leadership.