What Plastic Footprint Network does

Plastic Footprint Network (PFN) is a non-profit network organization that develops and disseminates unified, science-based methodologies for assessing and mitigating plastic pollution. Founded formally in 2023 and built on the 2020 Plastic Leak Project from Quantis and EA – Earth Action, PFN convenes a network of over 35 member organizations and 100+ scientists to produce a modular assessment framework covering macroplastic sources (packaging, textile, fishing gear, waste export, release rates), microplastic sources (tires, textile fibers, agriculture, nanoplastics from packaging), impact assessment using the MarILCA methodology, valuation of impact, and financed plastic emissions for financial institutions. The methodology is distributed as open-access documentation through PFN's website, accompanied by a Guidance Document for practitioners and supplemented by a Target Setting Framework aligned with the UN Global Plastics Treaty and a three-pillar Plastic Pollution Mitigation Action Framework (PAF) covering Reduce, Avoid, and Recover actions.

The organization is owned and operated by Association EA ECCO, a Swiss-registered non-profit (Lausanne headquarters), under the business names EA – Earth Action and EA For Impact. Governance spans Advisory, Technical, and Scientific Committees populated by representatives from CDP, WWF, WBCSD, Ellen MacArthur Foundation, Pew Charitable Trusts, Verra, Quantis, CIRAIG/Polytechnique Montréal, Empa, Anthesis, SYSTEMIQ, and South Pole. Scientific leadership includes Prof. Anne-Marie Boulay (Scientific Committee Chair) and Prof. Dr. Bernd Nowack (also Scientific Committee Chair); founder Julien Boucher brings 15+ years of sustainability consulting experience and co-founded Quantis (2006), EA Earth Action (2012), and Plasteax (2021).

PFN's business model is non-commercial: methodology, frameworks, and guidance materials are provided free of charge to global stakeholders including product manufacturers, brand owners, treaty negotiators, regulators, sustainability consultants, and NGOs. The organization is funded through community sponsors, member contributions, and grants rather than licensing or subscription fees, with a small core staff of approximately 7 employees supplemented by the multi-stakeholder committee structure.

Name

Plastic Footprint Network

Legal name

Association EA ECCO

Website

https://plasticfootprint.earth

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Non-profit network organization developing unified, science-based methodologies for plastic footprint assessment and mitigation. Serves manufacturers, brand owners, regulators, and NGOs with open-access frameworks aligned to the UN Global Plastics Treaty.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Environmental Sustainability Services

NAICS

Environmental Consulting Services (541620), Administration of Air and Water Resource and Solid Waste Management Programs (92411)

akta.pro primary industry

Product Sustainability & LCA/EPD (Eco-design, PCF) (EUAHAJAF)

akta.pro secondary industries

Emissions Factors, LCA & Product Carbon Footprint (PCF) Platforms (EUABAEAD), Circular Economy & Waste/Materials Reporting (Zero waste, packaging) (EUAHAJAL), Pollution Prevention, Chemicals & Waste (incl. Plastics) (BPADALAJ)

Keywords

• Plastic footprint assessment
• Life cycle assessment
• Sustainability methodology
• Environmental impact measurement
• Pollution mitigation framework

Headquarters

HQ city

Lausanne

HQ country

Switzerland

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Plastic Footprint Network provides a unified, science-based methodology for assessing, measuring, and mitigating plastic pollution. The offering comprises an integrated Plastic Footprint Assessment Methodology (with strategic and technical modules covering macroplastic, microplastic, impact assessment, valuing impact, and financed plastic pollution), a Target Setting Framework aligned with the UN Plastics Treaty, and the Plastic Pollution Mitigation Action Framework (PAF) categorizing mitigation into Reduce, Avoid, and Recover pillars.

Product overview

Plastic Footprint Network (PFN) offers a unified platform for assessing, measuring, and mitigating global plastic pollution. The core offering consists of three integrated components: (1) the Plastic Footprint Assessment Methodology, a modular system with strategic modules (Introduction, Scope & Boundaries, Data Governance, PAF) and technical modules covering macroplastic sources (Packaging, Textile, Fishing Gear, Waste Export, Release Rate) and microplastic sources (Tires, Textile Fibers, Agriculture, Nanoplastics), plus Impact Assessment, Valuing Impact, and Financed Plastic Pollution modules; (2) the Target Setting Framework, which enables organizations to set science-aligned targets aligned with the UN Plastics Treaty; and (3) the Plastic Pollution Mitigation Action Framework (PAF), which categorizes mitigation actions into Reduce, Avoid, and Recover pillars. A comprehensive Guidance Document serves as the step-by-step manual for practitioners.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Plastic Footprint Assessment Methodology A unified, science-based system for assessing plastic leakage and environmental impact, comprising strategic and technical modules covering macroplastic and microplastic sources, impact assessment, valuing impact, and financed plastic pollution. Designed for global organizations measuring the environmental impact of their plastic use.
• Plastic Pollution Mitigation Action Framework (PAF) A structured framework that helps companies categorize and quantify plastic mitigation efforts consistently. It organizes actions into three pillars (Reduce, Avoid, Recover) with each action categorized by value chain position, supporting corporate accountability on plastic pollution mitigation.
• Target Setting Framework A science-based framework aligned with the UN Plastics Treaty that enables organizations to set measurable and achievable targets after completing their Plastic Footprint assessment, supporting the Corporate Accountability Framework with Reduce, Avoid, and Manage steps.
• PFN Guidance Document A comprehensive, step-by-step manual for practitioners seeking to use the PFN methodology to assess their plastic footprint, providing clear instructions on navigating the various modules of the assessment methodology.

Quantifiable outcome

• Standardized methodology enables consistent measurement of plastic leakage across organizations globally
• +1 more outcomes

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core and major.

• EA – Earth ActioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEA – Earth Action (Association EA ECCO) is the convenor and owner of the Plastic Footprint Network. EA For Impact is a Swiss non-profit association dedicated to advancing research and multi-stakeholder initiatives that drive systemic environmental change. PFN is an initiative under EA For Impact.
• CDPcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCDP (Carbon Disclosure Project) collaborates with PFN to establish methodology for plastic footprint calculation and identify key elements for a corporate accountability framework aligned with the Global Plastics Treaty. CDP will engage proactively with the network and advocate for alignment and simplification of initiatives.
• WWFcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWWF (World Wildlife Fund) is a member of PFN's Advisory Committee. John Duncan serves as Global Initiative Lead 'No Plastic in Nature' at WWF. WWF advocates for robust corporate accountability measures and global targets founded in harmonized measurement.
• Ellen MacArthur FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMember of PFN's Advisory Committee. The foundation works on plastic pollution solutions and circular economy approaches, contributing to PFN's vision for corporate plastic accountability framework.
• WBCSDcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWorld Business Council for Sustainable Development is a member of PFN's Advisory Committee, contributing to the development of harmonized frameworks for corporate plastic accountability.
• The Pew Charitable TrustscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMember of PFN's Advisory Committee. Pew contributes expertise to the development of corporate accountability frameworks aligned with the Global Plastics Treaty.
• Global Plastic Action PartnershipcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGPAP (a platform of the World Economic Forum) is a member of PFN's Advisory Committee, supporting the development of national Action Roadmaps for eliminating plastic pollution across partner countries.
• QuantiscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerQuantis pioneered plastic pollution methodologies including the Plastic Leak Project released in 2020. PFN builds upon pioneering efforts of plastic pollution specialists at Quantis. Quantis team members (Laura Peano) serve on PFN's Technical Committee.
• CIRAIG / Polytechnique MontréalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCIRAIG at Polytechnique Montréal contributed to the scientific foundation of PFN's methodology. Scientific Committee Chair Nadim Saadi is a PhD candidate at CIRAIG. Professor Anne-Marie Boulay from Polytechnique Montréal chairs PFN's Scientific Committee.
• VerramajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMember organization of PFN. Verra develops and manages standards for carbon and plastic credits, potentially enabling integration of PFN methodology with plastic credit markets.
• AnthesismajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMember organization providing sustainability consulting services. Katie Powell, Senior Consultant at Anthesis, serves on PFN's Technical Committee.
• SYSTEMIQmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMember organization focused on systemic change toward sustainable packaging. Juan Pablo Trespalacios from SYSTEMIQ serves on PFN's Technical Committee and leads GPAP collaboration for national Action Roadmaps.
• South PolemajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMember organization providing climate and sustainability solutions including plastic footprint assessments.
• Empa (Swiss Federal Laboratories)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProf. Dr. Bernd Nowack from Empa chairs the Scientific Committee. Empa's research on environmental risks of plastics and microplastics contributes to PFN methodology development.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• WWF (World Wildlife Fund): WWF is a global conservation organization with its 'No Plastic in Nature' initiative, and a Core strategic partner on PFN's Advisory Committee. WWF advocates for robust corporate accountability and global targets built on harmonized measurement, paralleling PFN's mission in the policy and advocacy sphere.
• CDP (Carbon Disclosure Project): CDP is a leading global disclosure system for environmental impacts and a Core strategic partner of PFN. Both organizations drive corporate accountability frameworks, and CDP brings disclosure-specific expertise to PFN's methodology development, making it a natural adjacent standard-setter in the plastic reporting ecosystem.
• WBCSD (World Business Council for Sustainable Development): WBCSD is a CEO-led organization of over 200 companies working on sustainable business, and an Advisory Committee member of PFN. WBCSD develops corporate accountability frameworks that intersect with PFN's scope, and the two coordinate on harmonized approaches to plastic pollution measurement and target setting.
• Verra: Verra is the leading standards body for carbon and emerging plastic credits, and is a member organization of PFN. Verra's plastic credit standard could be built on PFN's methodology, making it a high-leverage peer in monetizing plastic footprint measurements across voluntary carbon and plastic markets.

Direct peers

• Quantis: Quantis is a sustainability consulting firm that co-developed the Plastic Leak Project (2020) with EA – Earth Action, the methodological foundation PFN was built upon. Quantis practitioners like Laura Peano serve on PFN's Technical Committee, and the two organizations are deeply intertwined in plastic footprint methodology and consulting practice.
• SYSTEMIQ: SYSTEMIQ is a systems-change consultancy that works on plastic packaging and circular economy initiatives, and is a member of PFN. SYSTEMIQ personnel lead PFN's collaboration with GPAP for national Action Roadmaps, making it a key peer in translating plastic footprint methodology into country-level policy and corporate programs.
• Ellen MacArthur Foundation: The Ellen MacArthur Foundation is a global thought leader on circular economy and plastic pollution, and an Advisory Committee member of PFN. It works on parallel plastic accountability frameworks, including the Global Commitment, and both organizations target harmonized corporate plastic measurement aligned with the UN Plastics Treaty.
• South Pole: South Pole is a major climate and sustainability solutions provider offering plastic footprint assessments as part of its service portfolio, and is a member organization of PFN. Both organizations target the same corporate sustainability buyer and operate within the same plastic reporting ecosystem.
• Anthesis: Anthesis is a global sustainability consultancy providing plastic footprint assessment services to corporate clients, and is a Channel Partner of PFN. Anthesis consultants serve on PFN's Technical Committee, and the two compete for consulting engagements built on plastic footprinting methodology.

Emerging players

• Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi): SBTi is developing science-based target setting for nature and plastics, intersecting with PFN's Target Setting Framework. As both organizations establish mechanisms for corporate plastic reduction targets aligned with the UN Plastics Treaty, SBTi is a logical peer for the target-setting phase that follows PFN's footprint assessment.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/plastic-footprint-network

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 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 Footprint Network