Minderoo Foundation has appointed former Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP) CEO Dr Marcus Gover to lead its “No Plastic Waste” Initiative.
Having spent more than 25 years tackling environmental issues and influencing policymakers, the Minderoo Foundation says Dr Gover joins a global team “driving significant shifts” in how plastics are produced, used and responsibly recycled.
Dr Gover will begin his new role on February 1st, 2023.
The Minderoo Foundation says that Dr Gover brings a “wealth of experience and knowledge” to the role, overseeing engagement across science, policy, industry and civil society communities to pursue both regulatory and market-based solutions to plastic pollution.
The initiative’s projects span the entire plastics value chain, focusing on key issues such as transparency, human health impacts, safe redesign and effective management of existing fossil-fuel plastic.
Director of Minderoo’s Planet Portfolio, Dr Tony Worby, said: “Marcus has a track record of impacting change and a proven ability to collaborate with multiple stakeholders – an integral part of what Minderoo does across this and other initiatives.
Marcus has a track record of impacting change and a proven ability to collaborate with multiple stakeholders.
“He joins a team dedicated to solving the plastic pollution crisis by equipping policymakers with the knowledge to create meaningful regulation that has the potential to drive massive change.”
During his time at WRAP, Dr Gover helped create The UK Plastics Pact, which brings together government and businesses from across the plastics value chain to deal with the problem of plastic waste.
The Minderoo Foundation says the Pact has grown into a global network of 13 countries with the help of the Ellen MacArthur Foundation.
As a sustainability advisor to the London 2012 committee, Dr Gover helped ensure that the Olympic Games infrastructure could be used again or recycled, making them the most environmentally friendly games ever, the Minderoo Foundation says.
Commenting on his appointment, Dr Gover, said: “Plastic needs to be seen as a cause and a way to remedy (the climate crisis).
“So it excites me to join Minderoo Foundation at this critical juncture as they embark on bringing transparency to the plastics supply chain, revealing the environmental and human risks associated with the harmful chemicals used in the production of plastics, and supporting the vital work of designing safe and sustainable alternative materials.”