ARMONK, N.Y., Dec. 15, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- IBM
(NYSE: IBM) and The Alliance to End Plastic Waste ("Alliance")
today announced IBM will join the Alliance as a Supporting
Member.
The Alliance is a non-profit organization that brings together a
community of members from across the plastics value chain to combat
the global waste challenge. As part of work with the organization,
IBM will collaborate with the Alliance to design a new data
platform hosted on IBM Cloud to help track plastic waste and
recovery globally.
Called Plastics Recovery Insight and Steering Model ("PRISM") by
the Alliance – the platform will aim to serve as a single source of
consistent actionable data helping inform how NGOs, value chain
participants, communities, regulators and other organizations,
improve waste management decisions and programs.
The platform will be designed to allow stakeholders to convene
and unite various data sets to collaborate and address the
challenge of plastic waste through data. Such areas of focus
include plastic consumption and collection; plastic waste generated
and leaking into the environment; waste management and recycling
solutions in place; and additional data sets as the tool is
expanded.
"A very significant obstacle we face in combatting the plastic
waste challenge is how to bring together the multitude of data that
exists in a way that's verifiable, flexible and actionable," said
Nick Kolesch, Vice President for
Projects, Alliance to End Plastic Waste. "IBM Cloud provides the
flexibility to convene stakeholders and value chain participants to
securely contribute data, with an easy path for migration, hosting
and user access. We are pleased that IBM has joined our efforts,
and look forward to their contribution of solutions, advanced
technologies and capabilities in pursuit of our mission."
"Plastics play an essential role in our global economy, from
simple packaging and shipping, to critical, life-saving materials
for hospitals and healthcare workers," said Manish
Chawla, Global Industry Managing Director, Energy, Resources,
and Manufacturing at IBM. "By harnessing the power of cloud and
artificial intelligence we can bring together valuable and
disparate pieces of data in secured and flexible environment where
everyone from Alliance members to governments and regulators can
collaborate to address this global challenge."
The platform will be designed to enable users to easily
integrate and scale disparate datasets without compromising their
existing security. Development began with the support of IBM Garage
– a framework where organizations can work with IBM to fast-track
innovation and results by combining technology, design and business
strategy.
The collaboration with the Alliance builds on IBM's long
experience in helping clients with their plans to operate more
sustainably. IBM technologies including cloud, AI and blockchain,
are being used by clients in endeavors that advance their
environmental goals.
IBM's commitment to the environment dates back to as early as
1971 when IBM published its first corporate environmental policy
statement. Today, IBM remains committed to good stewardship of the
planet's resources and has made significant progress in managing
waste, conserving energy, using renewable electricity, and reducing
carbon dioxide emissions. The 2019 IBM Annual Environment Report
detailed that IBM processed significant end-of-life products
and product waste, and more than 95 percent (by weight) was reused,
resold or recycled.
The Alliance was formed in January
2019, comprising more than 50 member companies, project
partners, allies and supporters with a commitment to help end
plastic waste in the environment. The Alliance is targeting
USD1.5 billion over five years to
fund and incubate projects and pilot programs that create value
from plastic waste and ultimately support the realization of
circular economies. Today, the Alliance has 14 global programs and
initiatives and that number is expected to double in the near
term.
About the Alliance to End Plastic Waste
For more
information, visit: www.endplasticwaste.org
About IBM
For more information about IBM visit, www.ibm.com.
Forward-Looking and Cautionary
Statements
IBM's statements regarding its plans,
directions, and intent are subject to change or withdrawal without
notice at IBM's sole discretion. Information
regarding potential future products is intended to outline our
general product direction and it should not be relied on in making
a purchasing decision. The information mentioned regarding
potential future products is not a commitment, promise, or legal
obligation to deliver any material, code or functionality.
Information about potential future products may not be incorporated
into any contract. The development, release, and timing of any
future features or functionality described for our products remains
at our sole discretion.
Contact: Allison Bishop,
allison.bishop@ibm.com, 717.572.3309
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SOURCE IBM