Empowering communities to turn plastic into opportunity

From remote shorelines to bustling cities, we partner with local leaders and purpose-driven brands to build recovery systems that restore ecosystems and livelihoods.

“Solving plastic pollution isn’t just about collection. It’s about empowering people with knowledge, tools, and systems to turn plastic into progress.”
- Louise Hardman, Founder

One woman’s mission became a global movement

In 1991, marine educator Louise Hardman encountered a small green turtle dying from ingesting plastic while leading a turtle tagging program in Australia. That moment changed her life.

She witnessed how plastic waste devastated marine life and communities for years, especially in underserved areas without recovery systems. Determined to act, Louise began working at the grassroots: inventing a mobile recycling machine and launching hands-on workshops to teach communities how to turn waste into value.

As she listened and learned alongside local leaders, one truth became clear: plastic itself wasn’t the problem; the knowledge gap was.

In 2016, she founded Plastic Collective to close that gap. Today, we connect community partners, plastic waste organizations, and global brands to build certified plastic recovery systems that restore ecosystems, regenerate local economies, and create verified social and environmental impact.

Our journey to global impact

1991

Louise finds green turtle and commits to stop plastic entering oceans

2015

Founds Plastic Collective for profit social impact

2016

Develops the Shruder Recycling Machine

2017

Secures Coca Cola as launch partner

2017

Launches first Plastic Neutral Program with Plastic Credits

2018

Sells world's first Plastic Credits to TK Maxx

2019

Awarded Coca Cola flagship partner in Gulf of Carpentaria

2020

Awarded $5M Aus. Gov Technology Development Grant

2020

Awarded PMI partnership to develop project in rural Indonesia

2020

Louise nominated NSW Local Hero - Australian of the year

2021

Steve joins Verra Plastic Standard Advisory Board, and forms the Plastic Collective UK.

2024

Plastic Collective attracts landmark fundraising to tackle plastic pollution, through a sustainable development outcome bond, issued by The World Bank

2025

The Plastic Collective Foundation

Why we exist

Plastic pollution isn’t just an environmental issue. It’s a justice issue.

Our mission is to stop plastic pollution by building ethical recovery systems that support the people most affected by it—waste-pickers, remote communities, and underserved regions where plastic leakage is highest.

We believe that real impact begins with people. That’s why every project we support integrates education, access to tools, traceable systems, and long-term partnerships. Our work not only reduces plastic pollution but turns the material into opportunity and empowers communities to lead lasting, measurable change.

Enabling communities to lead lasting change

Plastic pollution can’t be solved by collection alone. It requires education, partnerships, tools, and verified systems. That’s why we work with grassroots leaders, plastic waste organizations and purpose-driven brands too.

Empower

Train local teams in plastic recovery, safety, and entrepreneurship Support women, youth, and Indigenous leaders to lead change in their communities

Innovate

Provide access to mobile recycling tools and waste education programs Help build systems that work in remote, underserved, or high-risk regions

Create

Develop traceable, third-party verified recovery systems Connect brands with community-led action to generate meaningful, measurable impact

 Local action, global impact

Since 2016, Plastic Collective has supported recovery programs across Asia-Pacific and Africa. Together, we are:

Women rising with every kilo recovered

kg recovered
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livelihoods supported
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In Accra, Ghana, women waste-pickers, once pushed to the margins, are now leading a movement. Through the ASASE Foundation, they’ve built a circular economy that transforms plastic waste into income, dignity, and opportunity.


With the support of Plastic Collective, ASASE became one of the first African projects to be certified under the Verra Plastic Waste Reduction Standard. We helped enable funding through a World Bank-linked plastic waste bond and introduced digital traceability to verify every contribution.



Today, ASASE is a model for community-driven change, led by women who are cleaning their cities, educating youth, and designing their own future.

Certified, traceable impact you can trust

Every project meets the world’s most rigorous standards for plastic recovery and social safeguards.

Small crew, big change

We’re a lean global team driven by purpose and family. Founded and led by the Hardman siblings, we keep overheads low so more goes to the communities creating real impact.

Siblings - Steve Hardman (CEO - Plastic Collective, UK) , Louise Hardman (Founder/ CEO - Plastic Collective, Australia, Dianne Hardman (Operations Manager)

Build your impact. Back it up with proof.

Join the global movement of anti-plastic organizations and individuals supporting traceable, certified plastic recovery.

I’m a brand

Drive verified recovery and earn customer trust.

I’m an individual

Balance your plastic use with verified action.