The CIRCLE Alliance—Catalyzing Inclusive, Resilient, and Circular Local Economies—is a collaboration between the U.S. government and leading businesses to invest in solutions to reduce plastic use, tackle plastic waste, and drive the development of circular economies.

On June 6, 2024, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), Unilever, and EY launched a new public-private collaboration to combat plastic pollution—the CIRCLE Alliance.

Speakers included USAID Administrator Samantha Power, Unilever Chief Sustainability Officer Rebecca Marmot, and EY Global Vice Chair – Sustainability Amy Brachio. The event featured remarks from Senator Sheldon Whitehouse and Senator Dan Sullivan, two of the lead co-sponsors of the bi-partisan Save Our Seas 2.0 Act, the key legislation guiding the U.S. government’s efforts to combat ocean plastic pollution.

Plastic pollution is a global problem that demands urgent action. It impacts our environment, health, food security, and economies. An estimated 11 million metric tons of plastic enters the ocean every year—a rate that is expected to triple by 2040.

CIRCLE Alliance Launch Event

Image
Launching the CIRCLE Alliance - A Collaboration to Combat Plastic Pollution

Body
On June 6, 2024, USAID, Unilever, and EY launched the CIRCLE Alliance—Catalyzing Inclusive, Resilient, and Circular Local Economies—a new public-private collaboration to invest in solutions to reduce plastic use, tackle plastic waste, and drive the development of circular economies.

USAID, Unilever, and EY Launch Collaboration to Combat Plastic Pollution

Image
USAID Press Release

Body
Today, Unilever, USAID, and EY launched the CIRCLE Alliance, a new public-private collaboration to support entrepreneurs and small businesses across the plastics value chain to scale solutions that reduce plastic use, tackle plastic waste, and build thriving circular economies.

The CIRCLE Alliance: Catalyzing Inclusive, Resilient, and Circular Local Economies

Image
Women sorting plastic bottles in recycling center in Indonesia.

Body
The CIRCLE Alliance is a new $21 million public-private collaboration to scale solutions that reduce plastic use and tackle plastic waste. Founded by Unilever, USAID, and EY, the CIRCLE Alliance will support entrepreneurs and small businesses across the plastics value chain. Its goal is to support women’s economic empowerment, improve livelihoods, and protect the environment by accelerating the development of circular economies.

For More Information

Save Our Seas Initiative

Image
a large group of people pose at the edge of a boat full of bundled plastic waste in a tropical harbor

Body
The Save Our Seas Initiative is a USAID initiative to combat ocean plastic pollution globally. It includes 14 national and regional USAID programs in key countries and regions contributing to the flow of plastic waste into the ocean.

Sustainable Urbanization

Image
Multi-colored houses on a hillside.

Body
Rapid urbanization is today’s defining development trend. When USAID was founded in 1961, roughly 34 percent of the world’s population lived in urban areas. By 2030, that figure will rise to over 60 percent as cities and towns become home to more than 1.4 billion additional people. Nearly all of this growth and movement will take place within the developing world, much of it in fragile states.

Image
Gender Policy Cover

Gender Equality and Women's Empowerment

Body
Long-term, sustainable development will only be possible when women and men enjoy equal opportunity to rise to their potential. But today, women and girls continue to face disadvantages in every sector in which we work, while in some cases, boys are falling behind. For decades, USAID has been leading global efforts to achieve gender equality. While great strides have been made, gender inequality remains a significant challenge across every development initiative worldwide, from education to global health.

Latest Updates

29 results

Vietnam Action Against Plastic Pollution

USAID, Unilever, and EY Launch Collaboration to Combat Plastic Pollution

Administrator Samantha Power at the CIRCLE Alliance Launch Event

Save Our Seas Initiative Annual Report 2023–2024

Administrator Samantha Power to Join Unilever and EY to Combat Plastic Pollution

The CIRCLE Alliance: Catalyzing Inclusive, Resilient, and Circular Local Economies

United States and Indonesia Celebrate “Clean Cities, Blue Ocean” Collaboration to Reduce Plastic Pollution

USAID Announces Commitments to Protect Our Ocean at the 2024 Our Ocean Conference

USAID at Our Ocean Conference 2024

USAID’s Clean Cities, Blue Ocean Program Helps Prevent Over 4,600 MT of Plastic from Entering the Ocean

Coastal Plastic Circular Economy

Protecting Our Ocean