About
Plastic Pollution Coalition is a global alliance working to create a more just, equitable, regenerative world free of plastic pollution and its toxic impacts. Founded in 2009, it describes itself as the first organization focused exclusively on plastic pollution and reports thousands of members in 75 countries. The coalition operates as a project of Earth Island Institute, a California-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit (Federal Tax ID 94-2889684), which serves as its fiscal sponsor.
Mission
To create a more just, equitable, regenerative world free of plastic pollution and its toxic impacts, working with global partners to tell the true story of plastic and advance systemic solutions in business, culture, and policy.
What they do
- Filtered Not Bottled: encouraging alternatives to single-use bottled water.
- Flip the Script on Plastics: shifting how plastic is portrayed in culture and media.
- Global Plastic Laws: tracking and advancing plastic-related policy and legislation worldwide.
- The Last Plastic Straw: a movement to eliminate single-use plastic straws.
- Understanding Packaging Scorecard: assessing the sustainability of packaging.
- Hannah4Change: youth-focused campaigning against plastic pollution.
History
Plastic Pollution Coalition was founded in 2009 by a group of artists, activists, scientists, and leaders. Original co-founders were Lisa Kaas Boyle, Manuel Maqueda, and Daniella Russo, and founding advisors included figures such as oceanographer Sylvia Earle, musician Jackson Browne, and Captain Charles Moore. The organization was established as a project of Earth Island Institute.
Scale and impact
The coalition reports thousands of members across 75 countries, and works with businesses, policymakers, and cultural leaders to advance systemic solutions to plastic pollution across business, culture, and policy.
Governance
Co-founders Dianna Cohen and Julia Cohen serve in the organization's current leadership. As a fiscally sponsored project, Plastic Pollution Coalition operates under the umbrella of Earth Island Institute rather than as an independently incorporated nonprofit, and does not file its own IRS Form 990; charitable contributions are received through Earth Island Institute's 501(c)(3) status.