Plastic Oceans International

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.

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

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 industry

PRIMARYBPAGAGAE

Marine & Freshwater Conservation

Business & Public Services/Nonprofit, NGO & Social Services/Environmental & Conservation Organizations

SECONDARYBPADALAI

Oceans, Coastal & Marine Resource Management

Business & Public Services/International Organizations & Development/Climate, Environment & Sustainable Development Programs

SECONDARYTHAAAIAH

Marine Conservation & Citizen-Science Experiences (reef monitoring, turtle walks)

Travel & Hospitality/Adventure, Amusement Parks & Ecotourism/Marine & Coastal Ecotourism (Diving, Snorkeling, Whale Watching)

Keywords

• Environmental nonprofit services
• Plastic pollution awareness
• Environmental film library
• Circular economy education
• Community engagement programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Las Condes

HQ country

Chile

HQ region

Latin America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. Event Revenue: Trees & Seas Film Festival generates revenue through online tickets and in-person event partnerships with community partners around the world.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core 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

Named customers7 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered regional, core and minor.

• DuocUC UniversityregionalStrategic or Co-development Partner · 30 November 2017Plastic 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 ConversationscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership 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 AmericaregionalOthersRegional office coordinating activities throughout Latin America. Operates independently with focus on country-specific initiatives including Chile, Mexico, and other Latin American nations.
• Plastic Oceans EuroperegionalOthersRegional office extending organizational reach throughout Europe. Coordinates with local organizations and facilitates European engagement with film dialogue programs.
• BlueCommunities Network MemberscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGlobal 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 HonuminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with clothing brand Haka Honu for Patagonia Expedition combining surf, science, and discovery in the Chonos Archipelago region of Chile.
• Asian Development BankminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerScreening and panel discussion event hosted at Asian Development Bank in Manila, Philippines as part of World Environment Day activities.
• United NationscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPresented 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 LondonminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPlastic 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 CentreminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPublished 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 FederationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPlastic Oceans Canada partnered with Canadian Wildlife Federation for the #StopSingleUse petition to raise awareness and activate Canadians to rethink plastic.
• Harvard UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerA 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

Emerging 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

• Xx.com/plasticoceansus
• YouTubeyoutube.com/c/PlasticOceansInternational
• Facebookfacebook.com/PlasticOceans
• Instagraminstagram.com/plasticoceans
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/plastic-oceans-chile

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Subsidiaries5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Plastic Oceans International