ABOUT
PLASTIC BEACH
Overview
Plastic Beach is a San Diego-based nonprofit committed to promoting sustainability by collecting and recycling soft plastic wrap in Southern California's commercial and community supply chains. We work closely with our partners to create custom collection and pickup plans, collaborating with TREX to recycle the materials into composite decking products.
Plastic Beach is changing things.
Our Mission​
To steward environmental transformation by revolutionizing responsible recycling options for plastic wrap materials at the pre-consumer level.​
Our Vision
To create a sustainable world with efficient plastic wrap recycling, reducing environmental damage and promoting responsible consumption. We work at the pre-consumer level to keep plastic wrap out of landfills and oceans.
Our Founder
Matthew Clough
Our Principles​
Grow through education
We educate retailers that plastic film material is recyclable, and provide them with a recycle collection service funded by charitable donations.
Collaborate with recyclers
We identify and collaborate with existing plastic film recyclers and collection services for the proper recycling of the material we collect.
Find like-minded partners
We work with volunteers, local business groups and similarly focused companies to expand collection and explore large-scale solutions.
Transparency and Accountability
We share clear information about our mission, programs, finances, and impact—so our community can see how we’re working toward meaningful change.
Our Story
Plastic Beach started in a warehouse.
Our team began working in the shipping and receiving department of a large power sports dealership. Every week we’d open and throw out about 10 lbs of plastic film materials from wrapped parts, clothing, protective bubble wrap and pillows before the goods would hit the shelves for consumers.
Our Journey
​Through research and conversations with other retailers, we discovered that plastic film materials normally get thrown in the trash. Since only 9% of plastic bags are currently recycled globally, we knew it was imperative to get business plastic film into the recycling pipeline.Plastic Beach wants to radically grow the amount of plastic film material that gets recycled, currently only possible through a few major grocery chains in small amounts per customer.
​
Today, Plastic Beach is a proud ambassador of My Green Lab and has been awarded the Platinum Transparency Candid for 3 years in a row. Building on this momentum, we're working to close the gap between everyday business operations and sustainable waste solutions. Through continued collaboration, education, and infrastructure, Plastic Beach is creating a practical path toward a circular economy, starting with the everyday materials that too often get overlooked.
Our Businesses Partners
Plastic Beach is proud to partner with organizations who share our commitment to reducing plastic waste and promoting sustainability. Together, we work towards a cleaner, healthier planet for future generations.
_edited.avif)
