The Circulate Initiative

What The Circulate Initiative does

The Circulate Initiative is a US-registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization headquartered in New York that develops programs, data tools, and research to address plastic pollution and advance circular economies, with a primary focus on emerging markets in Asia, Africa, and Latin America. Its core technology portfolio consists of proprietary data and assessment platforms: the Plastics Circularity Investment Tracker (tracking private capital flows, used by 1,700+ financial decision-makers), PLACES, a Plastic Lifecycle Assessment Calculator for GHG impact modeling (800+ users), Country & City Waste Landscapes (500+ users across 40 countries), the Harmonized Responsible Sourcing Framework for Recycled Materials (adopted by 40+ stakeholders), and the Circularity Assessment Protocol (deployed in 50+ cities). These tools are complemented by field implementation programs: the Responsible Sourcing Initiative (active in India, Indonesia, Kenya, Vietnam, and expanding to Latin America, with a 50,000-waste-worker livelihood target), the Urban Ocean city accelerator (jointly run with Resilient Cities Network and University of Georgia), and the now-concluded NextWave Plastics consortium (diverted 53,213 tonnes of ocean-bound plastic over seven years).

Name

The Circulate Initiative

Legal name

Circulate Initiative, Inc.

Website

https://thecirculateinitiative.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2019

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Circulate Initiative is a New York-based 501(c)(3) non-profit that develops data platforms, assessment tools, and field programs to address plastic pollution and advance circular economies in emerging markets across Asia, Africa, and Latin America.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Sustainability Research & Circular Economy Advisory

NAICS

Environmental Consulting Services (541620)

SIC

Sanitary Services (4950)

akta.pro primary industry

Circularity Consulting & Program Management (EPR, Design-for-Circularity, LCA) (EUAIANAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

Circular Economy & Waste/Materials Reporting (Zero waste, packaging) (EUAHAJAL), Packaging Recovery & Closed-Loop Programs (Take-Back, Deposit-Return, EPR Support) (IMALAMAF), Supply Chain (Scope 3) Emissions & Supplier Engagement Platforms (EUABAEAE), Pollution Prevention, Chemicals & Waste (incl. Plastics) (BPADALAJ)

Keywords

• Plastic circularity research
• Circular economy programs
• Responsible sourcing framework
• Ocean plastic pollution
• Waste management data

Headquarters

HQ city

New York

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Grants and Donations: As a U.S. Registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, The Circulate Initiative operates on grant funding and donations from foundations, governments, and corporate partners. The organization does not charge for its programs or tools.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

The Circulate Initiative develops and operates proprietary data platforms, assessment tools, and on-the-ground programs addressing ocean plastic pollution and advancing plastics circularity in emerging markets. Its standalone offerings include the Plastics Circularity Investment Tracker, PLACES climate calculator, Country and City Waste Landscapes data platform, Pricing Transparency tool, the Harmonized Responsible Sourcing Framework, the Urban Ocean accelerator, and the Responsible Sourcing Initiative, all provided free of charge to stakeholders.

Product overview

The Circulate Initiative operates as a non-profit organization offering a portfolio of research platforms, assessment tools, and implementation programs focused on solving ocean plastic pollution and advancing circular economies in emerging markets. The core product suite includes data intelligence tools (Plastics Circularity Investment Tracker, Country and City Waste Landscapes, PLACES climate calculator) and the Harmonized Responsible Sourcing Framework with配套 implementation tools for responsible sourcing. These are complemented by field programs including the Responsible Sourcing Initiative, Urban Ocean accelerator program, and the now-concluded NextWave Plastics consortium. The Circularity Assessment Protocol provides standardized city-level assessment methodology. Together, these products enable stakeholders to understand investment flows, measure climate impacts, assess waste landscapes, implement responsible sourcing practices, and develop city-level circular economy projects.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Urban Ocean: A capacity-building and accelerator program to end ocean plastic pollution and build more resilient communities in cities. Jointly implemented by Resilient Cities Network, The Circulate Initiative, and University of Georgia New Materials Institute.
• Responsible Sourcing Initiative
• Harmonized Responsible Sourcing Framework
• PLACES
• Plastics Circularity Investment Tracker
• NextWave Plastics

Products and services

• Plastics Circularity Investment Tracker Award-winning data platform tracking private capital flows into plastics circularity solutions, providing investment trend insights for financial decision-makers. Accessed by 1,700+ financial decision-makers.
• PLACES (Plastic Lifecycle Assessment Calculator for the Environment and Society) Climate impact calculator that analyzes GHG emissions from plastic waste management practices across countries, supporting evidence-based decisions on recycling versus disposal methods. Used by 800+ users.
• Country and City Waste Landscapes Data platform providing country and city-level waste management and plastic pollution data across 40 countries in Asia, Africa, and Latin America. Used by 500+ users.
• Pricing Transparency - Recycled Plastics Research report and interactive policy modeling tool providing insights on recycled plastics pricing dynamics in India, Indonesia, Thailand, and Viet Nam, allowing users to model the impact of policy interventions on output volumes, market share, and prices.
• Harmonized Responsible Sourcing Framework for Recycled Materials The first global industry standard for responsible sourcing in recycling value chains, providing practical guidance, tools, and sector-specific resources for implementing responsible sourcing practices. Adopted by 40+ stakeholders across the recycled materials value chain.
• Urban Ocean Capacity-building and accelerator program to end ocean plastic pollution and build resilient communities in cities, using the Circularity Assessment Protocol (CAP) to assess waste systems and develop implementable projects. Active across cities in Asia and Latin America.
• Responsible Sourcing Initiative Multi-year program addressing human rights challenges in plastic recycling supply chains, with targets to improve livelihoods of 50,000 waste workers and secure commitment from 25 global brands, investors, and recyclers. Active in India, Indonesia, Kenya, Vietnam, with expansion to Latin America.
• NextWave Plastics Member-led collaborative initiative of multinational companies that developed the first global network of ocean-bound plastic supply chains. Concluded in 2025 after diverting 53,213 tonnes of ocean-bound plastic.

Quantifiable outcome

• 40+ stakeholders have adopted the Harmonized Responsible Sourcing Framework
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration7 records

AI capability2 records

Feature6 records

Partnerships

18 partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.

• UNDP (United Nations Development Programme) IndiacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 11 June 2026UNDP India partnered with The Circulate Initiative as a technical partner to advance responsible sourcing across the recycled plastic value chain in India. The partnership will improve the lives of over 1,000 informal waste workers and support responsible sourcing of 8,000 metric tonnes of plastic by 2027 through projects with Dalmia Polypro Industries and Ganesha Ecosphere.
• University of Georgia New Materials Institute - Circularity Informatics LabcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 13 May 2026CIL, led by Professor Jenna Jambeck (MacArthur Fellow), joined Urban Ocean as program co-lead. Provides scientific baseline assessment methodology including the Circularity Assessment Protocol (CAP), now conducted in 50+ cities globally.
• PepsiCocoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 6 August 2025Official brand partner in Responsible Sourcing Initiative project in India working with Deluxe Recycling to improve working conditions of informal waste workers and tackle multi-layer plastics waste streams.
• Tetra PakcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 6 August 2025Official brand partner in Responsible Sourcing Initiative project in India, advancing human rights due diligence in collection value chains of used beverage cartons and piloting the Harmonized Framework in materials beyond plastic.
• Ocean ConservancycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020Founding co-lead of Urban Ocean program, jointly implementing capacity-building and accelerator initiatives to end ocean plastic pollution in cities across Asia and Latin America. Ocean Conservancy has concluded its role following the program's successful launch.
• Resilient Cities NetworkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-lead of Urban Ocean program alongside The Circulate Initiative and University of Georgia, leveraging over 8 years of city relationships to help cities prevent plastic pollution and strengthen circular systems.
• Lonely WhalecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-founder of NextWave Plastics initiative, working with The Circulate Initiative to develop the first global network of ocean-bound plastic supply chains. NextWave Plastics successfully concluded in 2025 after diverting 53,213 tonnes of ocean-bound plastic.
• Dalmia Polypro IndustriescoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerLeading Indian recycler of local PET and Polyolefin waste participating in UNDP partnership with The Circulate Initiative to implement responsible sourcing practices and improve working conditions.
• Ganesha EcospherecoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerPioneer in recycled polyester (rPET) fibre and yarn production implementing responsible sourcing practices through UNDP partnership, adopting the Harmonized Framework.
• Deluxe RecyclingcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerIndia's largest multi-layered plastic recycling facility in Gujarat, working with PepsiCo, Tetra Pak, and The Circulate Initiative to improve livelihoods of waste pickers and demonstrate innovative recycling technologies.
• First MilesupportingImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerImplementation partner supporting the Responsible Sourcing Initiative project in India with Deluxe Recycling.
• Alliance of Indian Wastepickers (AIW)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational coalition working for inclusion of waste pickers in policies and programs, co-hosting the Responsible Sourcing Network India (RSNI) with The Circulate Initiative.
• SWaCH (Solid Waste Collection and Handling)supportingImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerRepresenting waste pickers in India, supporting implementation of responsible sourcing practices in the Deluxe Recycling value chain.
• The Coca-Cola CompanysupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerCorporate supporter and partner in initiatives to address plastic pollution and promote circular economy solutions.
• Coca-Cola Europacific PartnerssupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerCorporate partner supporting circular economy initiatives and responsible sourcing programs.
• HP Inc.supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerCorporate partner in NextWave Plastics consortium, working to incorporate ocean-bound plastic into products.
• International Alliance of Waste PickerscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGlobal network supporting and representing informal waste pickers, collaborator in responsible sourcing initiatives.
• World Economic ForumsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerFeatured The Circulate Initiative's NextWave Plastics as a model for cross-sector collaboration in Global Plastics Action Partnership.

Scale indicators12 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• SystemIQ: Systems-change non-profit/consultancy working on plastic packaging circularity and publishing major reports (e.g., Breaking the Plastic Wave). Comparable as a non-profit delivering data, frameworks, and convening on plastics value chains.
• Circle Economy: Dutch non-profit producing the Circularity Gap Report and circularity data dashboards—directly comparable research/data function. TCI's Director of Programs and Research Matthew Fraser was previously a Director at Circle Economy.
• Plastic Pollution Coalition: Global non-profit alliance working to end plastic pollution through advocacy, education, and stakeholder convening. Directly comparable in mission scope (plastic pollution focus, non-profit structure, multi-stakeholder engagement).
• Ocean Conservancy: Direct non-profit peer focused on ocean health including plastic pollution. Co-founded and co-led TCI's Urban Ocean program until 2026, making it the closest direct collaborator/competitor on city-level ocean plastic initiatives.
• Lonely Whale: Co-founder of NextWave Plastics and long-time TCI partner on ocean-bound plastic supply chains. Comparable non-profit working at the intersection of corporate partnerships and ocean plastic solutions.

Regional players

• GAIA (Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives): Global alliance of non-profits working on waste management, plastic pollution, and circular economy policy. Comparable mission in advocating against pollution and for equitable, community-based waste solutions across emerging markets.

Broad incumbents

• WWF (World Wildlife Fund): Large environmental non-profit with substantial ocean plastics and circular-economy programming. Comparable as a multi-stakeholder convening organization with corporate partnerships, foundations funding, and global program footprint.
• Circulate Capital: Investment firm dedicated to preventing ocean plastic, listed as a TCI financial partner. Comparable because it is the investing arm of the same circular-economy ecosystem, deploying capital where TCI is building frameworks and data.
• Ellen MacArthur Foundation: A larger and better-funded non-profit leading global thought leadership on the circular economy, including plastics. Highly comparable as a non-profit publishing frameworks, data tools, and convening brand programs targeting the same FMCG and policymaker audience.

Emerging players

• 5 Gyres: Non-profit focused on plastic pollution research, education, and policy advocacy. Comparable as a smaller, science-led non-profit addressing plastic pollution through research, policy work, and stakeholder engagement.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/thecirculateinitiative

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about The Circulate Initiative