May’s wins for people and the planet

Welcome to the May recap in our newsletter—filled with hope, impact, and momentum. 💚🌍

This month, we celebrate powerful progress: the release of our 2024 Sustainability Report, inspiring stories from communities turning plastic into opportunity, and a special spotlight on our founder’s visit to Manila. Plus, don’t miss exciting upcoming events with our partners and the social content that sparked the most engagement. Grab a cup of coffee and get ready to be inspired! ☕🌍💚

have been gathered by over 58,200 collection members.*

That’s equivalent to the weight of over 32,400 orcas.**

*data as of May 21, 2025

**The average weight of an orca is 5,000 kg.

Every year, we strengthen our commitment to stopping plastic pollution and ending poverty. But 2024 was a turning point—a year where we scaled our impact beyond what we once thought possible. This milestone was made possible by the unstoppable force of our collection communities, partners, and impact members.💙

Dive into our Sustainability Report to see what we achieved together:

Tens of millions of kilograms of plastic collected

Tens of thousands of community members empowered

Expansion of our EPR impact in the Philippines

Recognition through the EcoVadis Gold Medal and multiple awards

Highlights of powerful collaborations with our partners

👉 Read the full report and celebrate the progress we’ve made—together.

From May 19–23, David brought Plastic Bank’s mission to life in Manila through a series of impactful meetings, media interviews, and strategic collaborations.

He met with local processors, engaged key partners like Pacific Synergy and Goldilocks, and spoke at the Extended Producer Responsibility Forum with the European Chamber of Commerce.

Another key highlight: the "Beyond Compliance" luncheon co-hosted with the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, spotlighting how circularity creates real business value.

The visit strengthened relationships, explored future opportunities, and reinforced our commitment to growing impact in the Philippines.

🌍 Connect with our Founder, David Katz on LinkedIn and Instagram.

Bunari collects plastic across Bali—100 kilos a week on his motorbike—to support his wife and two children back home in East Java.

He only finished junior high, but dreams of giving his kids a better future. His daughter is the first in their village to attend university, though paying tuition means he often skips meals.

When David visited Bali, he surprised Bunari with a laptop and financial support—so he no longer has to choose between food and his children’s education.

With your help, we can uplift more planet heroes like Bunari. 💙

Webinar - Plastic Bank: Where climate action meets community empowerment

Join David in an exclusive live webinar with ClimatePartner on June 5 as he explores how climate action and community empowerment go hand in hand. Discover how transforming plastic waste into currency is uplifting lives and building a circular economy in vulnerable coastal areas.

👉 Save your seat

Instagram Live - The ocean can’t wait: why every day should be Oceans Day

This World Oceans Day, we’re going live for the ocean — because one day isn’t enough. Join David and Will Pearson of Ocean Bottle for a powerful IG Live on why every day should be Oceans Day — and how you can turn the tide on plastic pollution.

🗓 Sunday, June 8

🕗 5 PM CET | 11 AM EST | 8 AM PST

📍 Live on @oceanbottle x @plasticbank Instagram

In May, we honour several important global observances—World Migratory Bird Day (May 10), Mother’s Day (May 11), and the International Day for Biological Diversity (May 22).

These dates remind us of our shared responsibility to protect nature, support one another, and safeguard life in all its forms. This deeply aligns with Plastic Bank’s mission of gathering for prosperity—of the people and the planet.

Join us in turning plastic waste into worth—and in building a better planet for generations to come.

Singapore leads in waste management by incinerating non-recyclables to generate energy and cut landfill use. Its Zero Waste Masterplan aims to reduce landfill waste by 30% by 2030, supported by smart tech, reverse vending machines, and the eco-friendly landfill. With an integrated, future-ready system, Singapore turns waste into valuable resources.

Watch the video.

Once polluted, Switzerland’s rivers are now among Europe’s cleanest—thanks to decades of investment after a 1963 typhoid outbreak. With strict treatment laws and advanced filtration, even pharmaceutical pollutants are removed, making Swiss waters a model for the EU.

Watch the video.

Follow our social media channels for your daily good news, inspiring stories and the latest updates from Plastic Bank communities.

Check out our top-performing content from May.