Meet
David Katz

David is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Plastic Bank. His idea of addressing both poverty and plastic pollution through a social fintech has enlivened an opportunity for the world to gather and exchange plastic for money, social benefits, and beyond. Today, Plastic Bank empowers over 1,605 collection communities with more than 53,792 members in the Philippines, Indonesia, Brazil, Egypt, Thailand, and Cameroon. David’s leadership has helped guide businesses of all sizes to reduce their environmental footprint, promote a circular economy, and support communities.

David has been named one of the world’s most compassionate entrepreneurs. He is the recipient of the United Nations Lighthouse Award for Planetary Health, recipient of the Paris Climate Conference Sustainia Community Award, recipient of the Ernst & Young Lifetime Achievement Award, recipient of The Globe and Mail: Report on Business Magazine’s Changemakers Award, and named the Entrepreneur Organizations, Global Citizen.

His humanitarian work has earned him international recognition. David has been featured in hundreds of international news and investigative articles, including BBC, CNN, Time Magazine, Forbes, Fast Company, Business Week, and National Geographic. David can be found at TED.com, is featured in award-winning documentaries and starred in an international reality television show.

David is a steward of the earth and a champion for the poor.

Story of becoming

David Katz talks about the spark that ignited his passion for change. His story teaches us that it’s not about knowing it all, but about committing to become someone who can make a difference.

It’s up to us to enliven a wasteless world.

David’s chats and keynotes

Keynote at TED

Talks at Goldman Sachs

Panel at K Trade Fair

What
people say

David has been instrumental in allowing our company to make a significant impact toward our mission to become the most sustainable wellness company in the world. He’s a beacon of hope for a better future for vulnerable communities as well as the planet. His leadership, tenacity, and passion are changing lives across the globe for the better. His vision and passion paint a brighter future for generations to come. We are grateful for our journey together.

Roland Radu

Founder, Natreve

We had the privilege of witnessing Plastic Bank’s David Katz’s exceptional public speaking skills during our Global Alumni Reunion in November 2023. His talk, Imperfect entrepreneurship: The keys to creating and scaling for the planet, was not your everyday speech; it was a call to action to embrace sustainable business practices, contribute to environmental conservation, and actively engage in poverty reduction efforts.

As a public speaker, David possesses a rare ability to articulate complex issues with clarity and authenticity. He brings a unique perspective that goes beyond the traditional business narrative, challenging the audience to think differently and encouraging them to consider the broader implications of their actions. His narrative is not just about success, but a deeper purpose. Using a natural, extemporary delivery, David was able to captivate our audience in a way that left a lasting impression.

IESE Business School Alumni Association

David made it possible for us to act. Our challenges are not for lack of ideas; however, for organizations as large as ours, the idea must be actionable and scalable. David did that, through the program. In the span of months, we were able to grow to over 27 countries, spanning boundaries and languages. He’s a visionary by brilliantly showing us how we can have an instant global impact.

Aldo Zucaro

Sr. Director Commercial Strategy, CooperVision

Environmental stewardship and enabling underserved communities has been embedded in SC Johnson’s mission for decades. We are grateful that David shares our vision for a better world by helping to champion the critical need to end ocean-bound plastic waste and create pathways to further social and economic mobility for people in some of the world’s most vulnerable communities. Our partnership with Plastic Bank has been invaluable, and we fervently believe in the long-term impact it will have for people and the planet.

Alan VanderMolen

Chief Communications Officer, SC Johnson