Project details
1087 · Climate project + ocean protection
  • 1 t CO2 + 10 kg plastic, Worldwide
A certified climate project combined with additional commitment

This combined project contributes to the financing of a certified climate project and additionally supports international ocean protection. For every tonne of CO2 saved through the contribution via a certified climate project, 10 kg of plastic is collected in coastal regions. This intercepts plastic before it enters the sea and protects sensitive marine ecosystems.

Currently, ocean protection is combined with a certified cookstove project in India (climatepartner.com/1499). By using more efficient cookstoves, less firewood is needed, thus minimising deforestation. Combined climate projects to date: Forest protection, Lábrea, Brazil (climatepartner.com/1475), solar energy, UP, Karnataka and Maharashtra, India (climatepartner.com/1429), solar energy, Jaloya, India (climatepartner.com/1390), wind energy, Luzon, Philippines (climatepartner.com/1091) and wind energy, Vader Piet, Aruba (climatepartner.com/1040).

Our additional commitment: 10 kg of plastic collected for every tonne of CO2 reduced

With our combined project, we combine verified emission reductions through a certified climate project with additional commitment that protects our oceans. Oceans store a quarter of the CO2 from the atmosphere and even 93 percent of the heat caused by the greenhouse effect - making them a major brake on climate change. Warming, overfishing, pollutants, and waste endanger this balancing function. Over 12 million tonnes of plastic waste end up in the sea every year. Especially in developing countries that often lack infrastructure for proper waste disposal.

Plastic Bank empowers ethical recycling communities in vulnerable coastal areas. Community members exchange plastic at local collection branches for life-improving benefits, such as health and life insurance, meal vouchers, and secure income.

Contribution to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
No PovertyCollection members receive fair and stable income in exchange for the plastic they collect. The project provides additional incentives and life-improving benefits, such as health insurance, work insurance, and food vouchers.
Decent Work and Economic GrowthThe project has created the opportunity for full-time or part-time work for collection members in some of the world‘s poorest countries, while enforcing strict policies to uphold labour and human rights. It seeks local partners to transport, process, and ship Social Plastic® feedstock to inject maximum value into the local economy. Social Plastic® is defined as recycled ocean-bound plastic feedstock that is reprocessed and reintegrated into products and packaging, therefore creating a circular economy for plastic.
Responsible Consumption and ProductionSocial Plastic® feedstock is incorporated into the supply chains of multinational companies, reducing the demand and impact of virgin plastic production. Consumers can identify the Social Plastic® or Plastic Bank logo on partner’s products to help guide responsible consumption choices.
Life below WaterThe project seeks to stop plastic before it reaches the ocean, establishing collection branches within 50km of the coast or ocean-bound waterways. Ocean plastic creates a multitude of issues for animals, humans and the environment. Plastic in the ocean is estimated to be directly responsible for over 1 million seabird deaths and 100,000 marine mammal deaths per year, usually by accidental ingestion or entrapment. Not included in these estimates are biodiversity losses caused by the destruction of habitats and breeding grounds. Microplastics are hotbeds for toxins in the ocean and quickly enter the aquatic food chain.
Partnerships for the GoalsPlastic Bank was a winner of the UN SDG Action Awards 2019 for linking stakeholders for action in impactful and innovative ways to generate the policy changes needed to make the SDGs a reality whilst rebuilding trust between citizens and institutions at all levels.
Project standardVERs + additional commitment TechnologyClimate project + ocean protectionRegion1 t CO2 + 10 kg plastic, WorldwideAdditional commitment implemented byPlastic Bank