● June 2026 · Newsletter
Help us reach 10 billion bottles and change lives around the world

We are on the brink of an extraordinary milestone: 10 billion plastic bottles collected since 2013. With 9.8 billion bottles already recovered, we are closer than ever to reaching a goal that once seemed impossible. This journey has been powered by collectors, communities, business partners, and supporters around the world who believe that together we can transform plastic into opportunity.
But this milestone is about more than plastic bottles. Behind every bottle collected is a story of resilience, determination, and hope - parents working to provide for their family, children gaining access to education, or communities creating new opportunities for a brighter future. As we count down to 10 billion, we invite you to help make this milestone a reality.
Our collective impact

64,920 collectors*
exchange plastic for prosperity.
Each bottle helps provide secure income and supports a brighter future for collectors and their families.

196,170,000+ kg*
of plastic recovered.
The world's largest volume of hand-gathered plastic - equal to the weight of 13,000 African elephants.**
*All-time data, as of June 10, 2026 **An African elephant weighs about 15,000 kg.
Webinar: Are your sustainability claims ready for the new EU requirements?

Community Highlight
Meet Riris: A champion for recycling and community


For nearly 40 years, Riris has been proving the power of women in recycling and community leadership. Following in her father's footsteps, she built a thriving recycling business in Semarang, Central Java, recovering up to 15 tons of plastic each month while creating livelihoods for collectors and female sorters. As a Plastic Bank partner, she has seen how bonuses help improve the lives of collectors - and she often uses her own rewards to support those in need. "What I have is meant to be shared with the people around me," she says. Through her generosity and leadership, Riris is not only keeping plastic out of the environment but also uplifting the community she serves.
Partner Feature
The Sak: Weaving Social Plastic® and impact into handcrafted fashion

For The Sak, sustainability is more than a commitment - it's a core value woven into every product they create. Through their partnership with Plastic Bank, The Sak incorporates recycled Social Plastic® into select handcrafted designs, giving discarded plastic a second life while helping support collectors and their families in underserved communities. As a Certified B Corporation, The Sak values Plastic Bank's unique approach that combines environmental action with social impact, providing collection members with additional income and benefits. By sharing this story through their products, website, and social channels, The Sak is helping inspire consumers to choose products that create positive change for both people and the planet.
Blog
Recycling at home: A practical guide for households

Recycling at home doesn't have to be complicated. If you've ever looked at a pile of bottles, cartons, and snack wrappers and wondered whether they're recyclable, you're not alone. Many families want to recycle more but aren't sure where to start.
The good news is that you don't need a complicated system or hours of extra work. A few simple habits can make recycling part of your everyday routine. Discover practical tips to help you build recycling habits at home and make a positive impact together as a family.
#OurPartners

What's buzzing on our socials

June 8 was World Ocean Day - a reminder that healthy oceans are vital for our planet and communities. At Plastic Bank, collector communities recover plastic before it reaches waterways and the ocean, turning it into value that creates opportunity for families.

Every plastic bottle has value. For Mrs. Jenaci in Espírito Santo, Brazil, that value helps put food on the table for her grandchildren. Through Plastic Bank, waste collection unlocks essential benefits like grocery support for families building a better future.

We often think of the environment as something far away. But it lives in our neighbourhoods, our coastlines, our communities, and our daily choices. This World Environment Day, see how we build systems that turn discarded plastic into value.