prevent plastic pollution

Ocean plastic pollution is solved on land, not at sea. Our mission is to build a global network of waste management systems to facilitate the collection and safe processing of plastic waste in highly polluted regions in the global South. We aim to prevent plastic waste from ever reaching the ocean and provide dignified jobs for local communities

Plastic is incredibly durable which makes it a great packaging material. The problem is, once in nature, it stays there. If burned openly and uncontrolled, it releases toxins and furans. If it enters waterways it starts to become brittle and turns into micro plastic. As a result, it enters the food systems of all kinds of different species, including us. The health effects are not yet fully understood but micro plastics have been found in blood and even placentas. There are new studies that suggest micro plastics are inhibiting the sequestration of carbon in the oceans. And lastly, a beautiful natural environment covered in plastic loses its charm. Much like that plastic wrapped couch at the parents-in-law.

There are illegal waste exports from countries that produce a lot of plastic - and they are part of the pollution problem. However, the bigger issue is that plastic consumption in emerging countries is increasing with growing prosperity - but there are no waste management systems in place. 

Our focus is on low-income, coastal communities. If you live on $150 a month there is no cash left to spare on waste management. So waste is disposed of in nature. 

We put a price on plastic waste. This has two effects: a) it further increases the incentive to reduce the usage of plastic. b) The generated cash flow is re-invested in building waste collection in emerging markets. These collection schemes are the foundation for a circular economy. 

Picture going to the beach - and it’s clean. You take your sunscreen out, there is a small QR on the bottle that you scan with CleanHub’s logo - when scanned, you see where the plastic for the bottle was collected and who was involved. The data is giving you evidence that it is recycled. On the way back to your Airbnb you drop the few unavoidable waste items into a bag with the CleanHub logo - with the full confidence that the cycle begins again and none of that waste will ever touch nature. 

All those listed on our website. Not (yet) CleanHub customers: Veja because they repaired my sneakers and they look brand new. Move it together: They made it easy to furnish our office with high-quality second hand furniture. ALBA, because they pick up the waste from my apartment building every week, no matter what. A luxury which we take for granted.