Plastic Oceans International
Plastic Oceans International is a US-based 501c3 nonprofit that uses a participatory film-and-dialogue methodology, the SEE Positive Change film library, and the BlueCommunities global network to help local communities, schools, and governments scale circular economy solutions addressing plastic pollution.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2012
- HeadquartersLas Condes, Chile
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingServices
What Plastic Oceans International does
Plastic Oceans International is a US-registered 501c3 nonprofit organization (Tax ID #81-3778043) founded in 2012 by Julie Andersen, headquartered in the US with regional offices in Chile, Mexico, Canada, Europe, and Latin America, operating with 11-50 staff to end plastic pollution through a film-based community engagement methodology. Its core offering is the Participatory Film Impact Model, a structured process in which curated environmental documentaries are screened for community stakeholders and followed by facilitated multi-stakeholder dialogues whose outputs (knowledge gaps, local barriers, collaboration opportunities) are synthesized into reports and action plans to scale local circular economy solutions. This methodology is operationalized through three flagship programs: the SEE Positive Change film library and distribution service (films available in 15+ languages, screened in 70+ countries), the BlueCommunities Network (a decentralized global network of local organizations running their own dialogues, including members such as Clean Ocean Ghana, Saving Our Sharks, SEEDS Iceland, Fundación Bahía, Mudfish No Plastic, and Clean Wave), and the Trees & Seas Film Festival (annual international festival with 2026 theme 'Fashion as a System'). Auxiliary products include the award-winning 'A Plastic Ocean' feature documentary (Sir David Attenborough endorsement, multiple festival awards) and 'Earth's Ekko,' an animated educational film for children aged 5-10.
The business model is donation-driven nonprofit economics rather than commercial revenue: the organization solicits tax-deductible contributions from individuals, corporations, and foundations via its website (custom gift packages for donations over $1,000), supplemented by subscription and rental/purchase access to the SEE Positive Change film library (all film contributions treated as donations) and event revenue from Trees & Seas Film Festival tickets and partnerships. The go-to-market motion combines event-driven acquisition (film festivals and screenings serve as engagement and donor cultivation mechanisms), community-led network expansion (BlueCommunities members host at least six film dialogues annually under the shared methodology), and direct-to-consumer fundraising through the website. The organization also runs partnership programs with academic institutions (DuocUC University, Brunel University London, Harvard), international bodies (UN, Asian Development Bank), and dialogue specialists (Living Room Conversations), extending its influence into policy forums (e.g., advancing Chile's Circular Economy 2040 Roadmap) and educational ecosystems.
No AI/ML capabilities, APIs, or commercial software products are part of the offering; the organization's intellectual property is its film content library, methodology documentation, dialogue facilitator resources, and the brand recognition associated with the 'A Plastic Ocean' documentary and Attenborough endorsement. Revenue figures, headcount trends, and audited financials are not publicly disclosed in available source material.
Plastic Oceans International firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Plastic Oceans International
- Legal name
- Plastic Oceans International
- Website
- https://plasticoceans.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2012
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Plastic Oceans International is a US-based 501c3 nonprofit that uses a participatory film-and-dialogue methodology, the SEE Positive Change film library, and the BlueCommunities global network to help local communities, schools, and governments scale circular economy solutions addressing plastic pollution.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Plastic Oceans International industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Environmental Nonprofit Services
- NAICS
- Administration of Conservation Programs (92412), Administration of Environmental Quality Programs (924)
- SIC
- Services-Motion Picture & Video Tape Production (7812), Services-Motion Picture & Video Tape Distribution (7822), International Affairs (9721)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Marine & Freshwater Conservation (BPAGAGAE)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Oceans, Coastal & Marine Resource Management (BPADALAI), Marine Conservation & Citizen-Science Experiences (reef monitoring, turtle walks) (THAAAIAH)
Keywords
Where Plastic Oceans International is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Las Condes
- HQ country
- Chile
- HQ region
- Latin America
Offices3 records
Markets served
Plastic Oceans International business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others
Revenue model
- Donations and Contributions: Tax-deductible donations from individuals, corporations, and foundations supporting the mission to end plastic pollution. The organization is a 501c3 registered nonprofit (Tax ID #81-3778043). Custom gift packages available for donations over $1,000 including private workshops.
- Film Library Subscriptions and Rentals: SEE Positive Change film library offers subscription access and rental/purchase options for films. All film contributions are treated as donations to the organization.
- Event Revenue: Trees & Seas Film Festival generates revenue through online tickets and in-person event partnerships with community partners around the world.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | Film Library Subscription |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Film Rentals and Purchases |
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | Direct Contributions |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels7 records
Plastic Oceans International product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Plastic Oceans International is a US-registered 501c3 nonprofit that distributes an environmental film library (SEE Positive Change), runs a global network of member organizations (BlueCommunities) using its Participatory Film Impact Model to host film screenings and multi-stakeholder dialogues, and convenes the annual Trees & Seas Film Festival — all aimed at scaling local circular economy solutions to end plastic pollution. Core revenue comes from tax-deductible donations, film subscriptions/rentals, and event proceeds.
Product overview
Plastic Oceans International operates a multi-product platform centered on film-based community engagement to end plastic pollution. The core offerings include SEE Positive Change (a film library and distribution service), the BlueCommunities Network (a global network of local organizations using film dialogues for circular economy solutions), and the Trees & Seas Film Festival (an international film festival). The organization also produces educational films including 'A Plastic Ocean' documentary and 'Earth's Ekko' for children. These products work together through the Participatory Film Impact Model, which uses storytelling and facilitated dialogues to drive systemic change at local and global levels.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- BlueCommunities: Global network of local organizations using participatory film impact model to scale circular economy solutions
- SEE Positive Change
- Trees & Seas Film Festival
- Participatory Film Impact Model
Products and services
- SEE Positive Change Film Library Curated digital film library and distribution service offering environmental documentary films for streaming, subscription, rental, and purchase, including screening licenses and facilitator resources for community dialogues. Used by individuals, educators, NGOs, and BlueCommunities members globally; flagship A Plastic Ocean available in 15+ languages with screenings in over 70 countries.
- BlueCommunities Network Global member network of local non-profits, community groups, student organizations, and SMEs that adopt the Participatory Film Impact Model to host at least six film-based dialogues per year and scale circular-economy projects; members include Clean Ocean Ghana, Saving Our Sharks (Mexico), SEEDS (Iceland), Fundación Bahía (Colombia), Mudfish No Plastic (Indonesia), and Amiguitos del Océano (Latin America).
- Trees & Seas Film Festival Annual international film festival with online ticketing and in-person components delivered through community partners worldwide, showcasing environmental films and convening audiences around themes such as fashion and sustainability.
- A Plastic Ocean (Documentary) Award-winning feature documentary about plastic pollution in the world's oceans, endorsed by Sir David Attenborough ("The Most Important Film Of Our Time") and featured in Blue Planet II; recognized with Best Documentary and Audience Award at the 2017 Sedona International Film Festival, Best Ocean Impact Film at the 2017 Barbados Independent Film Festival, and praised by The Lancet.
- Earth's Ekko (Educational Film) Animated short film featuring the character Ekko, designed as an educational resource for children aged 5-10 with a paired educational supplement explaining plastic pollution and solutions; distributed at no cost to schools and educational institutions.
Quantifiable outcome
- Films screened in over 70 countries
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use Plastic Oceans International
Customer profileNamed customers7 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
Plastic Oceans International technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
Plastic Oceans International partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered regional, core and minor.
- DuocUC UniversityregionalPlastic Oceans Chile alliance with DuocUC University to reduce plastic use and waste on and near campus. Part of broader education initiative with universities.
- Living Room ConversationscorePartnership with Living Room Conversations, an American NGO recognized for creating inclusive and effective conversation frameworks. They developed dialogue resources including facilitator guides, discussion principles, dialogue scripts, and report templates specifically designed for hosting meaningful discussions alongside film screenings.
- Plastic Oceans Latin AmericaregionalRegional office coordinating activities throughout Latin America. Operates independently with focus on country-specific initiatives including Chile, Mexico, and other Latin American nations.
- Plastic Oceans EuroperegionalRegional office extending organizational reach throughout Europe. Coordinates with local organizations and facilitates European engagement with film dialogue programs.
- BlueCommunities Network MemberscoreGlobal network of local organizations using participatory film impact model to scale circular projects. Members include Clean Ocean Ghana, Saving Our Sharks, SEEDS, Fundación Bahía, Mudfish No Plastic, and dozens of other organizations across Africa, Americas, Asia, and Europe.
- Haka HonuminorPartnership with clothing brand Haka Honu for Patagonia Expedition combining surf, science, and discovery in the Chonos Archipelago region of Chile.
- Asian Development BankminorScreening and panel discussion event hosted at Asian Development Bank in Manila, Philippines as part of World Environment Day activities.
- United NationscorePresented special event at the United Nations in New York City as part of The Ocean Conference. Multiple UN Regional offices partnered for education program delivery.
- Brunel University LondonminorPlastic Oceans-funded research fellowship at Brunel University London with Dr. Chris Green conducting microfibers research in biosolids spread on agricultural farmland.
- Vancouver Aquarium Marine Science CentreminorPublished original press release from Vancouver Aquarium announcing their ban on single-use plastic water bottles - first zoo or aquarium in Canada to do so.
- Canadian Wildlife FederationminorPlastic Oceans Canada partnered with Canadian Wildlife Federation for the #StopSingleUse petition to raise awareness and activate Canadians to rethink plastic.
- Harvard UniversityminorA Plastic Ocean screened at Harvard University followed by informative panel discussion. Science behind the film was endorsed by Dean of Faculty of Public Health.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Plastic Oceans International competitors and assessment
Company assessmentEmerging players
- Oceanic Preservation Society (OPS): Mission-driven film and media organization behind environmental documentaries including 'Racing Extinction' and 'The Cove'. Comparable as a content-and-film-led environmental impact organization, with similar DNA of using documentary storytelling for conservation outcomes.
- Parley for the Oceans: Ocean-focused organization that collaborates with brands and creators to address plastic pollution through material innovation and campaigns. Comparable in creative partnerships and ocean-plastic mission; differs via a brand-and-material-innovation angle rather than community film dialogues.
Direct peers
- EarthEcho International: Environmental education nonprofit founded by Philippe Cousteau Jr., focused on youth engagement and ocean education. Comparable as a smaller, education-and-storytelling-led nonprofit driving youth behavior change on ocean and plastic issues.
- Plastic Pollution Coalition: Global NGO coalition working to end plastic pollution through advocacy, education, and member-based campaigns. Directly comparable in mission, advocacy model, and policy engagement; overlaps with Plastic Oceans on circular-economy and systemic-change framing.
- Lonely Whale Foundation: Ocean conservation nonprofit known for using creative storytelling, campaigns, and partnerships to address plastic pollution and marine health. Directly comparable in leveraging creative media and partnerships to drive awareness and behavior change on ocean plastic issues.
- 5 Gyres: Nonprofit focused on plastic-pollution research, education, and policy, with strong emphasis on science communication and community engagement. Directly comparable as a smaller, mission-aligned peer with overlapping plastic-pollution and circular-economy program work.
Broad incumbents
- The Ocean Cleanup: Nonprofit developing technology and large-scale cleanup operations to remove plastic from oceans and rivers. Comparable mission on ocean plastic pollution; differs in a tech-driven, capital-intensive approach rather than film-and-dialogue community engagement.
- Ocean Conservancy: Large US-based ocean conservation nonprofit focused on plastic pollution, sustainable fisheries, and policy advocacy. Comparable as a marine-conservation NGO with a donor-funded model and policy-influence orientation, but materially larger in scale, budget, and brand reach than Plastic Oceans.
- Greenpeace International: Global environmental campaigning organization with major plastic-pollution and oceans programs. Comparable in donor-funded advocacy and international policy engagement on plastic; vastly larger scale and campaign-driven model.
- Surfrider Foundation: US-based grassroots ocean conservation nonprofit with a large volunteer network focused on beach cleanups, plastic reduction campaigns, and policy. Comparable in community-led, volunteer-driven ocean conservation model; substantially larger in membership and budget.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Plastic Oceans International social profiles
Digital presencePlastic Oceans International financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Plastic Oceans International leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles5 records
Plastic Oceans International subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries5 records
Plastic Oceans International funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Plastic Oceans International M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Plastic Oceans International
What does Plastic Oceans International do?
Plastic Oceans International is a US-registered 501c3 nonprofit that distributes an environmental film library (SEE Positive Change), runs a global network of member organizations (BlueCommunities) using its Participatory Film Impact Model to host film screenings and multi-stakeholder dialogues, and convenes the annual Trees & Seas Film Festival — all aimed at scaling local circular economy solutions to end plastic pollution. Core revenue comes from tax-deductible donations, film subscriptions/rentals, and event proceeds.
Is Plastic Oceans International a public or private company?
Plastic Oceans International is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Plastic Oceans International founded?
Plastic Oceans International was founded in 2012. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Plastic Oceans International based?
Plastic Oceans International is headquartered in Las Condes, Chile, in the Latin America region.
How does Plastic Oceans International make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Donations and Contributions are the primary driver. The others are film Library Subscriptions and Rentals and event Revenue.
Who are Plastic Oceans International's main competitors?
Emerging players on record are Oceanic Preservation Society (OPS) and Parley for the Oceans. Direct peers are EarthEcho International, Plastic Pollution Coalition, Lonely Whale Foundation and 5 Gyres. Broad incumbents are The Ocean Cleanup, Ocean Conservancy, Greenpeace International and Surfrider Foundation.
Does Plastic Oceans International have an API?
No public API is recorded for Plastic Oceans International.
What industry is Plastic Oceans International in?
Plastic Oceans International's product category is Environmental Nonprofit Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAGAGAE, Marine & Freshwater Conservation, with a secondary code of BPADALAI, Oceans, Coastal & Marine Resource Management. Its NAICS code is 92412 and its SIC code is 7812.