7 billion bottles, 50,000+ lives uplifted

Our communities and partners are celebrating a milestone that many thought was impossible: over 50,000 collection members have hand-gathered more than 140 million kilograms of plastic waste from the environment. That’s over 7 billion plastic bottles—enough to fill 3,354 football fields—kept out of our oceans and landfills. But here’s the uncomfortable truth: we’re still drowning in plastic. This isn’t just a celebration; it’s a wake-up call.

Business as usual is dead. Success can no longer be measured solely by quarterly profits; it must be defined by the real impact we create for the prosperity of both people and the planet. Behind the world’s largest volume of hand-gathered plastic are 500 businesses that dared to do more than tick the box for ‘corporate social responsibility.’ They chose to be disruptors—pioneers in redefining what business can achieve when it aligns profit with purpose.

In his statement to the media on this milestone, our Founder didn't mince words: “Stop waiting for someone else to save us. Gathering over 140 million kilos of plastic is still just a drop in the ocean. What we need is a radical shift. Enough with feel-good initiatives that don’t move the needle. It’s time for businesses, influencers, and communities to step up and prioritize prosperity for all—not just the privileged few.”

Plastic pollution isn’t someone else’s problem—it’s ours. The 7 billion bottles collected represent not just plastic, but people—tens of thousands of collection members who have turned waste into opportunity, earning secure income and gaining access to social benefits. This isn’t charity; it’s empowerment. It’s going to take all of us. What’s stopping you or your company from becoming part of the solution?

Our Impact Membership offers a direct path to action, providing businesses with the tools to reduce their plastic footprint while strengthening loyalty among customers and employees who demand more than empty promises.

It’s time to move beyond performative gestures and embrace real, measurable impact. Join the movement today, and your first 100 bottles of impact are free at http://plasticbank.com/join.

Data as of October 8, 2024

Meet Teresa, a dedicated collection member from Egypt who, along with her husband, has been gathering plastic for 23 years to provide for their family.

Watch her story and see how your impact is supporting her family!

Indonesia

We’re thrilled to see our community partnership with LPBI NU, a faith organization in Mojokerto! Since 2023, we’ve established plastic collection points in 23 schools and 5 houses of worship, collecting over 6,000 kilograms of plastic for recycling.

“Our collaboration with Plastic Bank helps us educate communities about environmental protection and the value of plastic recycling,” said Saiful Anam, Head of LPBI NU Mojokerto. We’re excited to expand this initiative to 30 more schools and bring plastic collection facilities to even more communities!

Philippines

We visited Father Lloyd Nepomuceno of the Apo Jose Catholic Educational System (ACES), one of our community partners in Nueva Ecija. ACES spans 10 schools across municipalities like Guimba and San Jose City, where students are empowered to collect plastic from their households for recycling. To date, ACES has delivered over 6,000 kilograms of plastic to our processor in Valenzuela City. The proceeds from this initiative fund scholarships and school equipment for the students, creating lasting educational and environmental impact in the community.

Brazil

More than 120 members and their families graduated from the computer skills course in Espírito Santo, organized in partnership with the Mão Estendida project. The course provided essential digital skills, opening doors to new job opportunities. Among the success stories are Deryky de Souza Teixeira, who became a young apprentice; Rita Maria, who, along with her family, started selling beauty products; and Gabriely Moreira de Oliveira, now a supermarket cashier. Mayara Pereira da Silva even used her new skills to prepare her father’s resume, demonstrating how the course benefits individuals and their families.

Egypt

Plastic Bank Egypt recently attended the Service Fair at Cairo American College, one of Egypt’s top schools. The event served as an opportunity for awareness and socialization with school staff, students, and parents. Representatives from other schools were also present, giving us the chance to introduce our mission, share our work in Egypt, and discuss potential collaborations. We explained how they could contribute through impact membership, both as individuals and business owners, fostering engagement in environmental sustainability and social impact.

Break the status quo, go beyond mundane sustainability initiatives, and regenerate.

With your Impact Membership, you’ll empower collection communities to gather discarded plastic, exchange it for money, and gain access to social benefits. It’s a win-win-win-win — for your business, your customers, communities, and the planet.

Looking for a personal membership? Click here for individual impact!