Don't Bank on Plastics

As a customer, I’m contacting you because I want my bank to take action on the global plastic crisis. 
Worldwide plastic production and pollution continues to rise and it’s threatening our health, our oceans and the lives of future generations through its impact on the climate crisis.  
Like many people, I’ve taken steps to cut down on single-use plastic. But consumer action alone is not enough. I want to understand more about how my money is used by my bank and what action you are taking to tackle plastic pollution.  
In March 2022, UN member states agreed to work towards a legally binding UN Treaty on plastic pollution that addresses the full lifecycle of plastic including its production, design and disposal.  
The world is getting behind the solutions to the plastic crisis, and we need banks to play their part too. But research by <a href="https://portfolio.earth/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Portfolio-Earth_Bankrolling-Plastics.pdf">Portfolio Earth’s Bankrolling Plastics</a> report and the <a href="https://www.minderoo.org/plastic-waste-makers-index/">Plastic Waste Makers Index</a> suggests that banks aren’t doing nearly enough.  
As consumer demand for change increases, and new regulations start to impact on the plastics industry, banks could be at risk – financially and reputationally – if they continue to finance the companies behind plastic pollution.   
Some banks have taken steps to restrict their financial involvement in carbon-intensive projects and industries that don’t align with a net-zero world. The production and disposal of plastics is a key contributor to the world’s carbon emissions. Plastic pollution is fuelling the climate crisis.   
I’d like to know what action my bank is taking to tackle plastic pollution. Specifically:  
<ul>
<li data-leveltext="·" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="2" aria-setsize="-1" data-aria-posinset="1" data-aria-level="1">Do you have a policy or strategy that guides your financing and investment decisions regarding the plastics industry (including polymer producers and the consumer goods sector)? </li>
<li data-leveltext="·" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="2" aria-setsize="-1" data-aria-posinset="2" data-aria-level="1">What steps are you taking to align your financing and investment decisions with a more circular economy? </li>
</ul>
I look forward to hearing from you.

Don't Bank on Plastics - email action

Send your bank a message about the global plastic crisis