What PLASTIC COLLECTIVE UK LIMITED does

Plastic Collective UK Limited is a social enterprise that designs and operates certified plastic recovery programs, issues plastic credits, and provides Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) compliance solutions for brands and individuals. Founded in 2016 by Louise Hardman (with the UK limited entity formed in 2021), the company combines physical recycling infrastructure — Shruder mobile recycling machines deployed across 10+ countries in Asia-Pacific and Africa — with a digital traceability layer called KOLEKT, which records full-chain recovery data audited against Verra-certified methodologies.

The company's core products fall into three streams: (1) plastic credits and pre-purchase agreements sold to consumer brands such as Pacifica Beauty, TK Maxx, Its August, MyChelle, H2Coco, and Our Pure Planet; (2) regulatory and advisory services including the California SB54 EPR Fee Calculator, Plastic Impact Plan assessment tool, and ISO 14021-aligned Claims Advisory; and (3) individual subscription tiers ($55–$220/year) enabling consumers to fund verified recovery. Founder Louise Hardman co-authored the Verra Plastic Waste Reduction Standard and serves on the Verra Advisory Board, embedding the company directly into voluntary credit market governance.

Plastic Collective operates a dual-channel business model combining enterprise contracts (multi-year cornerstone agreements with CPG brands) with a self-serve consumer tier. Strategic partnerships span multilateral finance (World Bank USD 100M Plastic Waste Reduction-Linked Bond, 2024), consumer brands (Coca-Cola launch partnership, TK Maxx world's-first plastic credits), and financial institutions (Citibank). The 2025 launch of the Plastic Collective Foundation as a separate charitable entity separates impact funding from the commercial UK company. To date, the platform has supported removal of 3M+ kg of plastic across its global recovery network.

Name

PLASTIC COLLECTIVE UK LIMITED

Legal name

Plastic Collective UK Limited

Website

https://plasticcollective.co

Company type

Private

Founded year

2016

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Plastic Collective UK Limited is a social enterprise operating certified plastic recovery programs and issuing plastic credits for consumer brands and individuals. Founded in 2016, it combines Shruder mobile recycling machines and KOLEKT digital traceability across 10+ countries, with Verra-standard methodology and EPR compliance services.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Plastic Recovery and Environmental Services

NAICS

Waste Collection (56211), Materials Recovery Facilities (562920), Waste Collection (5621)

SIC

Refuse Systems (4953)

akta.pro primary industry

Post-Consumer Plastic Collection & Sorting (MRF/PRF, Bale Supply) (EUAIAKAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Packaging Recovery & Closed-Loop Programs (Take-Back, Deposit-Return, EPR Support) (IMALAMAF), Mechanical Recycling (Wash, Grind, Pelletize) (EUAIAKAB)

Keywords

• Plastic recovery services
• Plastic credits
• EPR compliance
• Recycling infrastructure
• Environmental advisory

Headquarters

HQ city

London

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Plastic Credits: Brands and individuals purchase plastic credits to offset their plastic footprint. Credits fund certified recovery programs in high-leakage regions. Each credit represents verified plastic removal from environment.
2. Claims Advisory Services: Consulting services helping brands review and strengthen sustainability communication across marketing, ESG, legal, and packaging teams. Supports defensible sustainability claims aligned with ISO 14021.
3. Recovery Program Partnerships: Multi-year branded partnership programs where companies fund specific recovery initiatives. Includes access to live dashboards, media kits, quarterly impact reports, and marketing assets.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Plastic Collective UK Limited operates certified plastic recovery programs that quantify, trace, and offset plastic waste on behalf of enterprise brands and individual subscribers. The company delivers claims advisory services for brand plastic-neutral and plastic-positive claims, and supports brands with Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) compliance, including a California SB54 EPR Fee Calculator. Recovery is executed through partnerships with community-led collection, sorting, and recycling projects, with verified volumes recorded on Verra-certified ledgers.

Product overview

Plastic Collective UK LIMITED operates as a social enterprise offering a suite of certified plastic recovery solutions. The core offering centers on Verified Plastic Recovery programs enabling brands to fund certified collection and recycling in high-leakage regions across Asia-Pacific and Africa. This core service is supported by complementary modules including Claims Advisory (sustainability communication alignment), EPR Compliance Solutions (regulatory guidance and reporting), and the Plastic Impact Plan (footprint assessment tool). Individual-facing offerings include a Plastic Offset Program with tiered subscription plans. Key differentiators include Verra Plastic Waste Reduction Standard certification, OBP and Social+ certifications, and partnerships with grassroots community hubs. The company also developed the proprietary Shruder Recycling Machine for mobile community-based plastic processing.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Buy One Remove One: A program where businesses fund the recovery of an equivalent amount of plastic from nature through independently verified collection and recycling programs.
• Plastic Impact Plan
• Shruder

Products and services

• Certified Plastic Recovery Verra-certified plastic recovery program that quantifies, traces, and credits tonnages of plastic waste collected and processed through community-led collection, sorting, and recycling projects, sold to enterprise brands seeking verified plastic offsets.
• Claims Advisory for Brands Professional advisory service guiding brands on defensible plastic-neutral and plastic-positive claims, providing scientific substantiation and communication support for sustainability marketing.
• EPR Compliance Solutions Compliance support service helping brands meet Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) regulations, including the California SB54 EPR Fee Calculator and other regulatory frameworks affecting packaging and product producers.
• Plastic Offset Program for Individuals Subscription-based program for individual consumers to offset their personal plastic footprint through tiered annual plans ranging from $55 to $220 per year, with recovered plastic volumes tracked and reported to subscribers.
• Buy One Remove One Brand partnership offering where a defined quantity of plastic is recovered and verified for each unit sold, enabling participating brands to embed plastic recovery directly into product purchase transactions.
• Shruder Recycling Machine Proprietary low-cost plastic recycling unit combining shredding and washing capabilities, deployed in partner community recovery sites to enable processing of collected plastic waste into recyclate feedstock.

Quantifiable outcome

• 3 million kg of plastic removed from environment
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.

• VerracoreOthersPlastic Collective co-authored the Verra Plastic Waste Reduction Standard. Founder Louise Hardman sits on Verra Advisory Board. All projects certified under Verra PWRS with independent audits.
• KOLEKTcoreTechnology or IntegrationDigital tracking platform partner providing full-chain traceability from collection to processing. Ensures every piece of plastic is weighed, photographed, geotagged, and uploaded to Verra-approved ledger.
• Zero Plastic Oceans (OBP)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCertification partner for Ocean-Bound Plastic (OBP) and Social+ standards. Projects carry both OBP and Social+ certifications ensuring social safeguards and ethical collection.
• ASASE FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGhana-based women-led hub for community plastic collection and recycling. First African project registered under Verra PWRS. Women entrepreneurs building plastic waste management businesses as social enterprises. Created by Dana Mosora and Hilda Addah in 2017.
• SEArcular by GreencorecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndonesia-based ocean-bound plastic collection and recycling project. Founded by Max Craipeau, elected Asia's #1 most innovative plastic recycler in 2022. First recycler in Indonesia certified OBP. Processes hundreds of tons monthly supporting coastal communities.
• Pacifica BeautyflagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerCornerstone impact investor in ASASE Foundation Ghana project. 3-year pre-purchase agreement of plastic credits. Pioneer 100% vegan, cruelty-free beauty brand committed to 100% net plastic circular by 2025. Products at Target, Ulta, Whole Foods.
• Ecobarge Clean SeasminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAustralian nonprofit volunteer organization removing marine debris from Whitsunday Islands and Great Barrier Reef since 2009. Received Shruder program sponsored by Coca-Cola South Pacific. Partners with WAW Handplanes for closed loop processing.
• Hunter Gatherer NetworkminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndigenous artist network transforming ghost gear and marine debris into saleable products. Collaboration with Charles Sturt University, supported by Australian Government Ghost Gear Initiative. Hunter Gatherer Marketplace App enables artists to showcase and sell goods.
• Charles Sturt UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partner in Hunter Gatherer Network collaboration. Supports research and development of marine debris artwork marketplace.
• Design and Technology Institute (Accra)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTechnical training partner in Ghana. ASASE Foundation partnered with institute to bring select students into design and fabrication of CASH IT! recycling plants. Creates career pathways for young mechanics and engineers.
• Surf Hardware InternationalminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Bowraville Australia project to develop surf products from recovered ocean and ocean-bound plastics. Combines marine plastic recovery with commercial product development.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• South Pole: South Pole is a large climate solutions and carbon/plastic credit developer with deep enterprise brand relationships and Verra project development expertise. Comparable on the climate credit + Verra project development model, though broader and more carbon-focused than Plastic Collective's plastic-only focus.
• Bureau Veritas: Bureau Veritas is a global testing, inspection, and certification (TIC) incumbent that performs third-party audits for Verra and other standards. Comparable as the underlying audit infrastructure that validates Plastic Collective's certified projects, though not a direct competitor on credit issuance.
• EcoAct: EcoAct is an established carbon and ESG consultancy offering EPR and sustainability advisory services to enterprises. Comparable on the EPR compliance and claims advisory services revenue stream, though broader than plastic-only.

Others

• ASASE Foundation: ASASE Foundation is Plastic Collective's Ghana recovery partner, a women-led hub for community plastic collection. Adjacent rather than competing — provides the recovery execution that Plastic Collective certifies and markets to brands.
• Greencore (SEArcular): Greencore/SEArcular is Plastic Collective's Indonesia recovery partner (founded by Max Craipeau, named Asia's #1 most innovative plastic recycler in 2022). Adjacent rather than competing — operates the on-the-ground collection infrastructure that Plastic Collective finances through credits.

Direct peers

• Plastic Bank: Plastic Bank operates the most direct competing plastic credit and collection platform, enabling brands and individuals to fund ocean-bound plastic recovery through community collection networks. Directly comparable to Plastic Collective on plastic credit issuance, brand partnership model, and high-leakage-region collection.
• CleanHub: CleanHub enables brands to fund verified plastic recovery through a digital marketplace model, partnering with waste collection organizations in coastal communities. Closely comparable on plastic credit unit, brand partner focus, and community-collection infrastructure.
• rePurpose Global: rePurpose Global is a plastic action platform selling plastic credits to brands and individuals, with projects across Asia, Africa, and Latin America. Comparable on credit-based revenue model, enterprise brand partnerships (including CPG and beauty), and impact-verified recovery positioning.

Emerging players

• Sango: Sango is an emerging plastic credit and collection platform operating across Africa with similar focus on community-led, Verra-style certified recovery. Comparable on the recovery credit model and emerging-market execution model, though smaller scale.
• Veritree: Veritree is a plastic recovery and nature-based credits platform with traceability technology connecting brands to verified community restoration and plastic collection. Comparable on the brand-partner + community collection model and certified impact reporting.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@plasticcollective8764
• Facebookfacebook.com/plasticcollective
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/theplasticcollective/?viewAsMember=true
• Instagraminstagram.com/plastic_collective

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Subsidiaries2 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 COLLECTIVE UK LIMITED