Plan: The Post-landfill Action Network
Post-Landfill Action Network (PLAN) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that equips college and university students with resources, advising, and a proprietary Atlas Zero Waste Certification framework to lead systemic waste-reduction initiatives on their campuses.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2013
- HeadquartersDover, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Plan: The Post-landfill Action Network does
Post-Landfill Action Network (PLAN) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2013 and headquartered in Dover, New Hampshire, with a mailing address in Henrico, Virginia. The organization equips college and university students with resources, training, and direct advising to lead zero waste initiatives on their campuses, positioning student organizers as long-term changemakers rather than relying on top-down sustainability mandates. PLAN operates with a small staff-and-board team of 18 people, organized since May 2023 as a Worker Self-Directed Nonprofit (WSDNP) governed by an Admin Circle rather than traditional executive leadership.
PLAN's core product is the Atlas Zero Waste Certification program, a proprietary three-stage qualitative assessment framework developed over four years with campus advisory councils. The framework evaluates campus materials management systems across infrastructure, policy, logistics, communication, and standardization — explicitly avoiding diversion-rate or waste-audit metrics. Stage 1 (Assessment) is priced at $3,075-$3,825 depending on institution size, Stage 2 (Strategic Visioning) at $4,700 per semester, and Stage 3 (Action Planning) at $15,000-$21,000 over a 12-16 month engagement with ROI analysis. The organization monetizes through recurring campus membership dues, these professional-services certification engagements, and PayPal-accepted donations.
The broader product portfolio includes the Students for Zero Waste Conference (annual movement-building event), the STOP Fellowship (paid petrochemical activism fellowship focused on the Ohio River Valley), the Atlas Fellowship (student assessor cohort), the Campus Membership program (granting access to a password-protected Community Hub, 1-on-1 advising, and the Vault of recorded trainings), the Digital Resource Library (now publicly accessible for manuals), plastic-free campaigns, the Beyond Waste Leadership Certification, and student-led move-out programs. PLAN's distribution is community-led and event-driven, relying on student fellows embedded at member campuses, an annual conference, and regional Beyond Waste Summits, supported by a 25+ organization partner ecosystem spanning Break Free From Plastic, GAIA, AASHE, and others.
Plan: The Post-landfill Action Network firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Plan: The Post-landfill Action Network
- Legal name
- Post-Landfill Action Network
- Website
- https://postlandfill.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2013
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Post-Landfill Action Network (PLAN) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that equips college and university students with resources, advising, and a proprietary Atlas Zero Waste Certification framework to lead systemic waste-reduction initiatives on their campuses.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Plan: The Post-landfill Action Network industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Environmental Nonprofit Consulting and Certification Services
- NAICS
- Administration of Air and Water Resource and Solid Waste Management Programs (92411)
- SIC
- Refuse Systems (4953)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Circular Economy & Waste/Materials Reporting (Zero waste, packaging) (EUAHAJAL)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Sustainability Engagement, Training & Behavior Change Programs (On-site) (BPABALAK), Waste Audits, Diversion Tracking & ESG Reporting (On-site Data Programs) (BPABALAL), Sustainability, Waste Reduction & Composting Programs (EDALADAL)
Keywords
Where Plan: The Post-landfill Action Network is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Dover
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
Plan: The Post-landfill Action Network business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Campus Membership Dues: Colleges and universities pay membership fees to access PLAN's full resource library, advising services, fellowship programs, and Atlas Zero Waste Certification. Pricing varies by institution size.
- Atlas Certification Services: Three-stage certification program: Stage 1 Certification ($3,075-$3,825 depending on school size), Stage 2 Strategic Visioning ($4,700/semester), and Stage 3 Action Planning ($15,000-$21,000).
- Donations: PLAN accepts donations through PayPal. The organization is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Multi-year contract | Small Schools (0-5k students) - $3,075 |
| Subscription | Multi-year contract | Medium Schools (5-15k students) - $3,450 |
| Subscription | Multi-year contract | Large Schools (15k+ students) - $3,825 |
| Subscription | Multi-year contract | Stage 2 Strategic Visioning - $4,700 |
| Subscription | Multi-year contract | Stage 3 Action Planning - $15,000-$21,000 |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels10 records
Plan: The Post-landfill Action Network product offering
Product offeringCore offering
PLAN is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that equips college and university students with resources, fellowship programs, 1-on-1 advising, and certification services to lead zero waste solutions on their campuses. Its commercial offering centers on the three-stage Atlas Zero Waste Certification (Assessment, Strategic Visioning, Action Planning), supported by an annual Campus Membership providing access to a Digital Resource Library, the Vault of recorded trainings, and movement events such as the Students for Zero Waste Conference.
Product overview
PLAN operates as a nonprofit organization offering a portfolio of interconnected programs focused on student-led zero waste solutions for college campuses. The core offerings include the Atlas Zero Waste Certification program (a three-stage assessment and planning process), the Students for Zero Waste Conference (annual gathering), STOP Fellowship (for petrochemical activism in the Ohio River Valley), Atlas Fellowship (for campus assessments), and Campus Membership (providing access to resources, advising, and member-only databases). Additional offerings include the Digital Resource Library with free and member-accessible materials, Plastic-Free Campaigns, Beyond Waste Leadership Certification, and Move-Out Programs. These products work together to support students in holistically addressing the waste crisis on their campuses.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Atlas Zero Waste Certification: A holistic assessment program for college campuses to evaluate their zero waste systems and achieve certification levels (Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum).
- Students Taking on Oil & Petrochemicals (STOP) Fellowship
- Students for Zero Waste Conference (SZW)
- Beyond Waste Leadership Certification
Products and services
- Atlas Zero Waste Certification A three-stage holistic certification program assessing campus materials management systems through qualitative metrics rather than diversion rates. Stages include Stage 1 Certification ($3,075-$3,825), Stage 2 Strategic Visioning ($4,700/semester), and Stage 3 Action Planning ($15,000-$21,000), with Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Platinum certification levels.
- Students for Zero Waste Conference (SZW) Annual in-person movement-building conference gathering passionate waste-focused students from across the country for panels, field trips, and community-building activities, with sponsorship opportunities for partners.
- STOP Fellowship (Students Taking on Oil & Petrochemicals) Paid regional fellowship for students in the Ohio River Valley to learn about and organize against the petrochemical industry, supporting campaigns to eliminate plastic in their regions.
- Atlas Fellowship Fellowship program training student Fellows to conduct Atlas Zero Waste Assessments on their campuses, with a cohort model featuring weekly meetings across the US and Canada.
- Campus Membership Program Network of Member Campuses paying recurring membership dues to access the full PLAN resource library, 1-on-1 advising, fellowship programs, Atlas certification, and member-only case study databases.
- 1-on-1 Advising Services Personalized advising from trained Campus Advisors providing project support, leadership development, and zero waste implementation guidance to Member Campuses.
- Digital Resource Library Extensive online library of best-practice manuals, quick-guides, case study databases, and the Vault of recorded trainings that supports campus zero waste and plastic-free projects.
- Beyond Waste Leadership Certification Certification program designed to build leadership skills and plan campus zero waste programs, hosted in the Community Hub for Member Campus students and staff.
- Plastic-Free Campaigns Campaign support package helping campuses start or support Plastic-Free initiatives, including the Break Free From Plastic Pledge and ongoing campaign resources.
- Move-Out Programs Student-led move-out collection and resale programs that redirect usable items from landfill during academic year transitions, including Trash to Treasure and Lighten Up Garage Sale formats.
Companies that use Plan: The Post-landfill Action Network
Customer profileNamed customers14 records
Segments2 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Plan: The Post-landfill Action Network technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature5 records
Plan: The Post-landfill Action Network partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
28 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Break Free From PlasticcoreMovement-aligned organization providing mentorship, resources, and collaboration to student organizers. Partners can connect with and sponsor student fellows in Atlas and STOP Fellowship programs.
- Food Recovery NetworkcoreMovement-aligned organization providing mentorship, resources, and collaboration to student organizers on member campuses.
- Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives (GAIA)coreMovement-aligned organization providing mentorship, resources, and collaboration to student organizers on member campuses.
- Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE)coreMovement-aligned organization providing mentorship, resources, and collaboration to student organizers on member campuses.
- Plastic Pollution CoalitioncoreMovement-aligned organization providing mentorship, resources, and collaboration to student organizers on member campuses.
- Zero Waste Youth USAcoreMovement-aligned organization providing mentorship, resources, and collaboration to student organizers on member campuses.
- Surfrider FoundationcoreMovement-aligned organization providing mentorship, resources, and collaboration to student organizers on member campuses.
- Student Public Interest Research Groups (Student PIRG)coreMovement-aligned organization providing mentorship, resources, and collaboration to student organizers on member campuses.
- University Surplus Property AssociationminorMovement-aligned organization providing mentorship, resources, and collaboration to student organizers on member campuses.
- North American Students of Cooperation (NASCO)minorMovement-aligned organization providing mentorship, resources, and collaboration to student organizers on member campuses.
- Chester Residents Concerned for Quality of LivingminorMovement-aligned organization providing mentorship, resources, and collaboration to student organizers on member campuses.
- People over Petro CoalitionminorMovement-aligned organization providing mentorship, resources, and collaboration to student organizers on member campuses.
- STAY ProjectminorMovement-aligned organization providing mentorship, resources, and collaboration to student organizers on member campuses.
- Center for Coalfield JusticeminorMovement-aligned organization providing mentorship, resources, and collaboration to student organizers on member campuses.
- New Jersey Environmental Justice AllianceminorMovement-aligned organization providing mentorship, resources, and collaboration to student organizers on member campuses.
- Peoples HubminorMovement-aligned organization providing mentorship, resources, and collaboration to student organizers on member campuses.
- 1% for the PlanetminorPartner that provides accessible alternatives to zero waste products and equipment, and creates unique educational resources.
- Klean KanteenminorPartner that provides accessible alternatives to zero waste products and equipment, and creates unique educational resources.
- Dr. Bronner'sminorPartner that provides accessible alternatives to zero waste products and equipment, and creates unique educational resources.
- Generation ConsciousminorPartner that provides accessible alternatives to zero waste products and equipment, and creates unique educational resources.
- Plaine ProductsminorPartner that provides accessible alternatives to zero waste products and equipment, and creates unique educational resources.
- HelpsyminorPartner that provides accessible alternatives to zero waste products and equipment, and creates unique educational resources.
- ChicoBagminorPartner that provides accessible alternatives to zero waste products and equipment, and creates unique educational resources.
- Bon Appétit Management CompanyminorPartner that provides accessible alternatives to zero waste products and equipment, and creates unique educational resources.
- ReuzziminorPartner that provides accessible alternatives to zero waste products and equipment, and creates unique educational resources.
- RheaplyminorPartner that provides accessible alternatives to zero waste products and equipment, and creates unique educational resources.
- US Composting CouncilminorMovement-aligned organization providing mentorship, resources, and collaboration to student organizers on member campuses.
- Fractracker AllianceminorMovement-aligned organization providing mentorship, resources, and collaboration to student organizers on member campuses.
Scale indicators7 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Plan: The Post-landfill Action Network competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Second Nature: Second Nature runs the Climate Commitments framework (Carbon Commitment, Resilience Commitment, etc.) for U.S. colleges and universities, addressing an adjacent sustainability domain with a similar mission-driven, network-driven model.
- International Sustainable Campus Network (ISCN): ISCN is a global higher-education network sharing best practices on campus sustainability, providing an international peer benchmark to PLAN's Atlas Fellowship and certification programming.
- TRUE Zero Waste (administered by GBCI / U.S. Green Building Council): TRUE Zero Waste is a multi-tier certification (Certified, Silver, Gold, Platinum) that competes directly with Atlas for institutional zero-waste certification buyers across higher-ed, commercial, and event sectors.
- Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE): AASHE's STARS is the dominant sustainability rating framework for colleges and universities in North America, operating as the closest institutional alternative to PLAN's Atlas Certification and campus membership model.
Others
- Break Free From Plastic: Global movement coalition on plastic pollution whose pledge PLAN's campuses adopt (Marshall, Bethany, UT Dallas) — a grassroots alliance partner rather than a competitor.
- US Composting Council: Industry council supporting compost infrastructure, standards, and SEAL certification; enables PLAN's Scope 2 food-waste and composting assessments and is a listed strategic partner.
- 1% for the Planet: A funding and brand-alliance program connecting consumers and brands with environmental nonprofits; listed as a GTM/marketing partner rather than a competing service provider.
- Plastic Pollution Coalition: A movement-aligned advocacy organization on single-use plastic reduction that PLAN names as a strategic partner; adjacent rather than directly competitive since it is an advocacy NGO rather than a campus program operator.
Emerging players
- Food Recovery Network: A student-led nonprofit operating on U.S. campuses with a similar volunteer-driven model to PLAN, focused on food waste rather than materials management broadly; PLAN lists it as a core strategic partner.
Broad incumbents
- Surfrider Foundation: A broad-based environmental nonprofit with a plastics-and-ocean agenda that overlaps with PLAN's plastic-free and petrochemical campaigns; listed as a strategic partner.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Plan: The Post-landfill Action Network social profiles
Digital presencePlan: The Post-landfill Action Network financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Plan: The Post-landfill Action Network leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles3 records
Plan: The Post-landfill Action Network funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Plan: The Post-landfill Action Network 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 Plan: The Post-landfill Action Network
What does Plan: The Post-landfill Action Network do?
PLAN is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that equips college and university students with resources, fellowship programs, 1-on-1 advising, and certification services to lead zero waste solutions on their campuses. Its commercial offering centers on the three-stage Atlas Zero Waste Certification (Assessment, Strategic Visioning, Action Planning), supported by an annual Campus Membership providing access to a Digital Resource Library, the Vault of recorded trainings, and movement events such as the Students for Zero Waste Conference.
Is Plan: The Post-landfill Action Network a public or private company?
Plan: The Post-landfill Action Network is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Plan: The Post-landfill Action Network founded?
Plan: The Post-landfill Action Network was founded in 2013. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Plan: The Post-landfill Action Network based?
Plan: The Post-landfill Action Network is headquartered in Dover, United States, in the North America region.
How does Plan: The Post-landfill Action Network make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Campus Membership Dues are the primary driver. The others are atlas Certification Services and donations.
Who are Plan: The Post-landfill Action Network's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Second Nature, International Sustainable Campus Network (ISCN), TRUE Zero Waste (administered by GBCI / U.S. Green Building Council) and Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE). Others are Break Free From Plastic, US Composting Council, 1% for the Planet and Plastic Pollution Coalition. Food Recovery Network is listed as an emerging player. Surfrider Foundation is listed as a broad incumbent.
Does Plan: The Post-landfill Action Network have an API?
No public API is recorded for Plan: The Post-landfill Action Network.
What industry is Plan: The Post-landfill Action Network in?
Plan: The Post-landfill Action Network's product category is Environmental Nonprofit Consulting and Certification Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EUAHAJAL, Circular Economy & Waste/Materials Reporting (Zero waste, packaging), with a secondary code of BPABALAK, Sustainability Engagement, Training & Behavior Change Programs (On-site). Its NAICS code is 92411 and its SIC code is 4953.