Plastic Soup Surfer Organization
Plastic Soup Surfer Organization is a Dutch non-profit foundation that combines windsurf and SUP expeditions with an AI-powered citizen-science app (Plastic Avengers) to document plastic litter, hold polluting companies accountable, and lobby European governments — including the Netherlands, UK, France, Italy, Monaco, and the Vatican — for deposit return systems and bans on single-use plastics.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2014
- HeadquartersAmsterdam, Netherlands
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingServices
What Plastic Soup Surfer Organization does
Plastic Soup Surfer Organization is a Dutch non-profit advocacy foundation (legally Stichting Plastic Free Sea / Plastic Free Sea Foundation, ANBI status, headquartered at Theophile de Bockstraat 59H, Amsterdam) founded in 2013–2014 by biologist and surfer Merijn Tinga. The organization combats plastic pollution through a combination of high-visibility physical expeditions (windsurf and SUP crossings of European coastlines and rivers), evidence-based citizen-science campaigns built on the Plastic Avengers mobile application, and direct legal-political pressure on companies and policymakers. Campaigns target specific litter streams — small bottles, cans, drink pouches, fireworks, bread bags, disposable cups, AntaFlu wrappers, Mars wrappers — using AI-analyzed, geotagged photos to hold named producers accountable and lobby for deposit return systems, bans, and design changes. The work is credited with catalyzing the Dutch small-bottle deposit (effective 2021) and can deposit (effective 2023), together delivering an 80% reduction in littered bottles and cans.
The organization's technology stack centers on the Plastic Avengers App (free on iOS and Android), which captures geotagged, timestamped photos of litter and routes them through computer-vision models (developed by Zwerfinator / Dirk Groot) that identify brands, materials, and objects. This pipeline produces campaign-ready maps, graphs, and parliamentary briefings. Distinctive operational tools include the proprietary "judicial notice" (Desbewustheidsexploot) — a bailiff-delivered legal notification to corporate CEOs of pollution liability — and a mycelium-bound surfboard construction method used as a campaign prop. Adjacent products include the SURFER TO-GO documentary, a published book, and the paid Cup Kickstart consulting program for reusable-cup transitions.
The revenue model is donation- and grant-driven: the Plastic Free Sea Foundation (ANBI) channels contributions; the Plastic Avengers App is free; corporate and government speaking engagements generate fee income; and elementary-school presentations are typically free. Distribution is multi-channel (app, YouTube, podcast, Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook, earned media across BBC/CNN/National Geographic, plus a speaking bureau and film-screening bookings). The organization operates with roughly 6 employees and a wider volunteer network, serves governments, polluting companies, schools, and citizens across at least nine European countries, and maintains an active pipeline of new campaigns and cross-border expeditions into Italy, France, Monaco, the Vatican, and (prospectively) Turkey.
Plastic Soup Surfer Organization firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Plastic Soup Surfer Organization
- Legal name
- Stichting Plastic Free Sea
- Website
- https://plasticsoupsurfer.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2014
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Plastic Soup Surfer Organization is a Dutch non-profit foundation that combines windsurf and SUP expeditions with an AI-powered citizen-science app (Plastic Avengers) to document plastic litter, hold polluting companies accountable, and lobby European governments — including the Netherlands, UK, France, Italy, Monaco, and the Vatican — for deposit return systems and bans on single-use plastics.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Plastic Soup Surfer Organization industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Environmental Advocacy and Citizen Science
- NAICS
- Environment, Conservation and Wildlife Organizations (813312), Materials Recovery Facilities (56292)
- SIC
- Refuse Systems (4953)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Pollution Prevention & Toxics Reduction (BPAGAGAJ)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Pollution Prevention, Chemicals & Waste (incl. Plastics) (BPADALAJ), Post-Consumer Plastic Collection & Sorting (MRF/PRF, Bale Supply) (EUAIAKAA)
Keywords
Where Plastic Soup Surfer Organization is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Amsterdam
- HQ country
- Netherlands
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
Plastic Soup Surfer Organization business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Donations and Support: The organization relies on donations from supporters to fund expeditions, campaigns, and operations. Small donations are sought from the public, with support pages available on the website.
- Speaking and Presentation Fees: Merijn Tinga gives paid presentations, workshops, and lectures on expeditions, campaigns, and corporate sustainability. Speaker fees vary by organization type, from elementary schools to corporations.
- Foundation Funding: The Plastic Free Sea Foundation manages donations and collaborations. Major projects and expeditions are funded by the foundation, which has ANBI (public benefit institution) status in the Netherlands.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | One time/ perpetual license | Free presentations for educational institutions |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels11 records
Plastic Soup Surfer Organization product offering
Product offeringCore offering
The Plastic Soup Surfer Organization runs evidence-based advocacy campaigns against single-use plastic pollution, anchored by the Plastic Avengers App — a free mobile citizen-science tool that lets volunteers photograph and geotag plastic litter for AI-powered brand, material, and object identification. Combined with high-profile windsurf and SUP expeditions, documentary films, books, and a speaking bureau, the organization converts crowdsourced litter data into political pressure that has driven the Netherlands' deposit return system (80% reduction in littered bottles), bans on plastic fireworks, and corporate packaging changes across Europe.
Product overview
Plastic Soup Surfer is a change-making NGO led by Merijn Tinga that combines creative activism with photo-based citizen science. The core offering is the Plastic Avengers App, a free mobile tool enabling citizens to photograph and document plastic litter, which powers evidence-based campaigns for policy reform and corporate accountability. Supporting products include documentary films (SURFER TO-GO), books, and consulting services (Cup Kickstart Program). Campaigns target specific litter types through the app, using AI-analyzed photo data to build evidence and pressure polluters. The organization also runs the Rifiuti in Vista citizen-science project for international expansion, and organizes SUP/windsurf expeditions that serve as both awareness-raising and campaign platforms.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Plastic Avengers App
- Rifiuti in Vista Citizen Science Project
- SURFER TO-GO Documentary Film
- Cup Kickstart Program
- Speaking Bureau (Presentations, Workshops, and Lectures)
Quantifiable outcome
- 80% reduction in littered plastic bottles and cans after deposit system implementation
- +7 more outcomes
Companies that use Plastic Soup Surfer Organization
Customer profileNamed customers9 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Plastic Soup Surfer Organization technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
AI capability2 records
Feature3 records
Plastic Soup Surfer Organization partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
15 partnerships are on record, tiered core, minor and major.
- Surfers Against SewagecoreUK-based environmental charity working to clean up the oceans. Partnership on international deposit system campaigns, particularly for UK policy advocacy. Co-presented letter to UK Environment Minister with WWF UK.
- WWF UKcoreWorld Wildlife Fund UK participated in joint letter to UK Environment Minister advocating for deposit return system. Partnership for UK campaign to introduce deposit legislation.
- National GeographicminorFeatured media partner covering expeditions and campaigns. Provides editorial coverage and visibility for environmental issues.
- Plastic AvengerscoreCommunity network of volunteer litter photographers using the Plastic Avengers App. Founded in partnership with Zwerfinator Dirk Groot. Provides grassroots data collection infrastructure for all campaigns.
- Dirk Groot (Zwerfinator)coreDutch litter researcher and app developer. Created AI-powered photo analysis system for brand identification in litter. Primary collaborator on all citizen science campaigns.
- GoCleanmajorVolunteer organization driving force behind the Deposit Alliance (Statiegeld Alliantie) supporting deposit system advocacy in Netherlands.
- Natuur & MilieumajorDutch environmental organization supporting deposit campaigns and reuse initiatives. Partner in Mission Reuse expedition and broader coalition work.
- Recycling Netwerk BeneluxmajorRecycling Network Benelux part of the Deposit Alliance coalition. Supports advocacy for Extended Producer Responsibility and deposit systems.
- Stichting de NoordzeeminorDutch North Sea Foundation environmental organization supporting plastic pollution campaigns.
- Mission Reuse CoalitionmajorCoalition with Natuur&Milieu, Enviu, and Recycling Netwerk Benelux for reuse and circular economy campaigns. Focus on reusable packaging advocacy.
- Break Free From PlasticmajorGlobal movement of organizations working to stop plastic pollution. Plastic Soup Surfer is member and active participant in coalition campaigns.
- Plastic Soup FoundationminorRelated organization with similar mission. Mentioned in acknowledgments for deposit campaign support.
- Universiteit Leiden (LAPP)majorLeiden Advocacy Project on Plastic (LAPP) - law student organization that prepared legal action for Operation Crackling Ball campaign against plastic fireworks.
- Various Campaign PartnersminorMultiple organizations partner for specific campaigns: Adessium Foundation, Asito, Blue Flag, De Bries, Fred Foundation, Goat, Green Key, Incentro, Iron Roots, NVRD, Renewi, Starboard, Suez, SUP Cleanup, Technolyt, Watersportverbond. Listed in various campaign pages.
- Plastic Free Sea FoundationcoreThe legal entity (Stichting Plastic Free Sea) behind the Plastic Soup Surfer organization. ANBI status (public benefit institution) for managing donations and collaborations.
Scale indicators13 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Plastic Soup Surfer Organization competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Break Free From Plastic: Global movement of NGOs working to stop plastic pollution — of which Plastic Soup Surfer is an active member. Closest coalition-level peer sharing campaigns, brand audits, and policy positions on single-use plastics.
- Surfrider Foundation: Surfer-led environmental NGO with similar DNA: activism rooted in surf culture, beach cleanups, citizen science, and policy advocacy on plastic pollution and ocean health. Closest international analog in advocacy model and brand.
- Plastic Pollution Coalition: US-based global alliance working toward a world free of plastic pollution. Comparable mission, education, and corporate-accountability focus; serves as a complementary peer in the broader anti-plastic NGO ecosystem.
- Reloop: International platform advancing deposit return systems and packaging-policy reform. Direct overlap on the core DRS (deposit return scheme) advocacy that is Plastic Soup Surfer's flagship policy ask.
- Surfers Against Sewage: UK-based surfer-led environmental charity explicitly partnered with Plastic Soup Surfer on UK deposit-return advocacy. Same activist-surfer identity, similar campaign toolkit, and overlapping coalition footprint in Europe.
- Plastic Soup Foundation: Dutch sister organization also tackling plastic pollution through advocacy and awareness. Closely related mission and overlapping coalition work; explicitly acknowledged by Plastic Soup Surfer as a partner, making it the most directly comparable peer.
- Zero Waste Europe: European network of zero-waste NGOs advocating for waste-reduction policy at EU and member-state level. Directly comparable policy-advocacy model focused on deposit systems and packaging regulation across Europe.
Emerging players
- The Ocean Cleanup: Dutch foundation developing technology to clean up ocean plastic. Same Dutch origin and plastic-pollution mission, but pursues engineering/cleanup rather than policy advocacy — complementary, not directly competitive.
Broad incumbents
- WWF: Global conservation giant co-signing Plastic Soup Surfer's UK deposit advocacy. Operates a much wider portfolio but is a coalition ally on plastics policy; included as a broad incumbent shaping the same regulatory landscape.
- Ocean Conservancy: Large established US ocean-conservation nonprofit running the International Coastal Cleanup and broader marine-policy advocacy. Larger scope than Plastic Soup Surfer but overlapping on plastic-pollution campaigns.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Plastic Soup Surfer Organization social profiles
Digital presencePlastic Soup Surfer Organization compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance1 record
Plastic Soup Surfer Organization financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Plastic Soup Surfer Organization leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles10 records
Plastic Soup Surfer Organization funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
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Plastic Soup Surfer Organization M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
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Frequently asked questions about Plastic Soup Surfer Organization
What does Plastic Soup Surfer Organization do?
The Plastic Soup Surfer Organization runs evidence-based advocacy campaigns against single-use plastic pollution, anchored by the Plastic Avengers App — a free mobile citizen-science tool that lets volunteers photograph and geotag plastic litter for AI-powered brand, material, and object identification. Combined with high-profile windsurf and SUP expeditions, documentary films, books, and a speaking bureau, the organization converts crowdsourced litter data into political pressure that has driven the Netherlands' deposit return system (80% reduction in littered bottles), bans on plastic fireworks, and corporate packaging changes across Europe.
Is Plastic Soup Surfer Organization a public or private company?
Plastic Soup Surfer Organization is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Plastic Soup Surfer Organization founded?
Plastic Soup Surfer Organization was founded in 2014. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Plastic Soup Surfer Organization based?
Plastic Soup Surfer Organization is headquartered in Amsterdam, Netherlands, in the Europe region.
How does Plastic Soup Surfer Organization make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Donations and Support is the primary driver. The others are speaking and Presentation Fees and foundation Funding.
Who are Plastic Soup Surfer Organization's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Break Free From Plastic, Surfrider Foundation, Plastic Pollution Coalition, Reloop, Surfers Against Sewage, Plastic Soup Foundation and Zero Waste Europe. The Ocean Cleanup is listed as an emerging player. Broad incumbents are WWF and Ocean Conservancy.
Does Plastic Soup Surfer Organization have an API?
No public API is recorded for Plastic Soup Surfer Organization.
What industry is Plastic Soup Surfer Organization in?
Plastic Soup Surfer Organization's product category is Environmental Advocacy and Citizen Science. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAGAGAJ, Pollution Prevention & Toxics Reduction, with a secondary code of BPADALAJ, Pollution Prevention, Chemicals & Waste (incl. Plastics). Its NAICS code is 813312 and its SIC code is 4953.