Circular Economy

Transitioning to a more circular economy is vital to a sustainable future. As we collaborate and innovate to get there, we are taking a product’s total lifecycle into account—from the resources used to create it, to how it’s made, to its use, disposal, and reuse.

2023 INtersections Report:  Circular Economy

What is a circular economy?

At Dow, we’re rethinking the traditional, linear, “take-make-dispose” way of doing business and adopting new ways of working that maximize the value and use of resources across their life cycle.

Our circular economy targets

We have set ambitious targets to guide our journey to advance a circular economy. These targets build upon our 2025 Sustainability Goals and focus on accelerating a sustainable future.

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Transform the waste

By 2030, Dow will transform plastic waste and other forms of alternative feedstock to commercialize 3 million metric tons of circular and renewable solutions annually.

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Close the loop

In support of our efforts to Transform the Waste, we will Close the Loop by enabling 100% of Dow products sold into packaging applications to be designed for reusability or recyclability by 2035.

Collaborations for circularity

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Developing a platform for change

Discover why brand owners are choosing REVOLOOP™ Recycled Plastic Resins to help achieve their sustainability goals.

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A diverse and complex materials ecosystem

Explore our perspective on the materials ecosystem and an innovative systems approach to help waste reach its full potential.

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Collaborating for circularity in glove packaging

See how Dow and Ecoplast jointly achieved a balance of performance and sustainability.

Materials Ecosystem map

Unlocking the value of waste

Explore the materials ecosystem and Dow’s approach for a better way to make, use and reuse plastics.

Meet Chemical Kim

Dow partnered with scientist and social media influencer Chemical Kim to explore the future of recycling. Take a look at our collaboration and hear what she has to say.

Check out the Plastics Unwrapped Podcast

Listen in as host and journalist Maithreyi Seetharaman seeks solutions with some of the world’s leading thinkers on our eye-opening Plastics Unwrapped Podcast.

Listen to the latest episodes

Episode sixteen: Science and entrepreneurship

In this episode, entrepreneurs from around the world share their sustainability-focused innovations within the plastics industry and how they can revolutionize plastics at both the consumer and industrial levels.

 

Episode seventeen: Turning the tide in Asia-Pac

As global plastic waste continues to be an issue in regions like Asia-Pacific, the pace of innovation and change in plastic production, consumption, and waste has increased. This episode explores the new policies introduced and what can lead to solution scaling in the region.

 

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Working together to end plastic pollution

We support a global plastics pollution agreement that helps scale action, accelerates plastics circularity, and unlocks the value of plastic waste.

Operation Clean Sweep

As a pledged member of this program designed to prevent plastic pellet, flake and powder loss to the environment, we’re focused on achieving zero pellet loss across the value chain.

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Designing for circularity

See how our products support the ability to design for circularity at the outset—expanding the possibilities for recyclability and helping enable a more circular economy.

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Recovered. Recycled. Renewed. 

We are addressing the demand for recycled materials and helping our customers’ meet their targets. Explore our products containing recycled content.

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Advancing bio-based materials

Explore how we are integrating biomass feedstocks, as an alternative to virgin fossil feedstocks, to produce products that maintain the high-performance required.

2023 INtersections Report:  Circular Economy