This data is live from Alchemy

Our proprietary blockchain-secured platform

Data last verified: Thursday, 03/28/2024

Ocean-bound plastic

Plastic Bank operates under the global standard defined by Jenna Jambeck. Ocean-bound plastic is defined as plastic that has not yet found its way into the ocean but is classified as "mismanaged waste". That is, plastic that is not being (formally) collected, is not likely to be collected, and is found within 50km of an ocean-bound waterway or coastal area.

Community Members

Individuals within a recycling community who collect plastic and exchange it at a Plastic Bank collection branch for secure income and life-improving benefits.

Equivalent Bottles Stopped

The amount of ocean-bound plastic collected and recycled in our recycling communities converted into bottles. Conversion rate is 50 bottles per kg (the average weight of a 500mL bottle is ~20g)

Recycling Communities

Community of plastic collectors living within 50 kilometres of ocean-bound waterways involved in plastic collection and its exchange at Plastic Bank collection points.

Alchemy

Alchemy is the blockchain platform that powers the Plastic Bank app. It enables fully traceable recycling processes, secures income for recycling community members and tailors impact reports for our stewards.

Plastic Bank’s Partnership with TIRTYL

Plastic Bank collaborates with Tirtyl to Unwaste through products, people and profit

Tirtyl’s mission is to Unwaste through products, people and profit. Plastic Bank helps us achieve all three of these impact pillars. 

Plastic Bank is growing the market for post-consumer recycled plastic making it easier for companies to avoid using virgin plastic. Through Tirtyl’s impact program with Plastic Bank, they are funding the collection of 49x more plastic than they sell, while providing secure income and life-improving benefits to collection community members.

Stopping Ocean Plastic While Improving Lives 

Tirtyl employees decided to visit Plastic Bank operations in Indonesia to witness first-hand the scale of the plastics problem and the plastic management model leveraged by Plastic Bank. Tirtyl is proud to help stop ocean plastic in those regions where the plastics problem is most severe.