Coastal CleanHub Initiative
Summary
In 2024 CleanHub committed to expand its Coastal CleanHub Initiative to prevent plastic waste from entering the ocean by providing sustainable waste management solutions to vulnerable coastal communities. Over the next three years, CleanHub will set up 10 plastic waste collection hubs and create 500 jobs in India, Indonesia, and the Philippines where waste management infrastructure is lacking. CleanHub will use its AI-powered tracking technology to monitor the process, from collection to responsible disposal of plastic waste, providing digital evidence for every kilogram of plastic that does not end up in our oceans. This system helps prevent fraud, and guarantees that all collected waste is accounted for and disposed of responsibly. The technology is verified according to ISO standards by TÃœV SÃœD, the global provider of auditing and certification services. These new hubs will collectively gather 50,000 tons of plastic waste annually, creating dignified jobs and preventing ocean pollution.
Approach
CleanHub commits to expanding its Coastal CleanHub Initiative to prevent plastic waste from entering the ocean by providing sustainable waste management solutions in vulnerable coastal communities. Over the next three years, CleanHub will set up 10 plastic waste collection hubs in India, Indonesia, and the Philippines where waste management infrastructure is lacking. CleanHub has built an Artificial Intelligence (AI) powered tracking technology to monitor the process, from collection to responsible disposal of plastic waste, providing digital evidence for every kilogram of plastic that did not end up in our oceans. Collectors will register the waste using QR codes and photographs, which are processed by CleanHub’s app to predict the composition and weight of each collection. This system helps prevent fraud and guarantees that all collected waste is properly accounted for and disposed of responsibly. The technology is verified according to ISO standards by TUV Sud, the global provider of auditing and certification services.
Additionally, CleanHub’s technology uses machine learning to verify data and flag any discrepancies, ensuring accurate tracking from collection to final processing. This technology has proven highly effective with their current waste collection partners, and CleanHub plans to continue using it in its upcoming hubs. These new hubs will collectively gather 50,000 tons of plastic waste every year, creating dignified jobs and preventing ocean pollution. Variations in regulatory frameworks and local governance can create delays. Obtaining necessary permits often requires navigating bureaucratic processes. These challenges will be mitigated by employing locals to head each hub, facilitating smoother operations through their knowledge of local regulations and logistics.
Action Plan
In Year 1, 2025, the initiative will launch and begin site selection for the first two hubs. Agreements with local partners and stakeholders will be finalized, and local project managers will be hired. Infrastructure setup, community engagement, and awareness campaigns will start, with each hub aiming to collect 5,000 tons of plastic waste annually. Infrastructure development will continue into the next phase, including training programs for local employees. Once infrastructure is completed for the first two hubs, initial waste collection activities will commence. Performance will be evaluated, feedback gathered, and site selection for the next three hubs will begin. Site selection and infrastructure setup for the next three hubs will be finalized, and waste collection activities will start, targeting 5,000 tons of plastic waste per hub per year. Performance of all operational hubs will be monitored and evaluated, data collected, and progress reports prepared. Site selection for the remaining five hubs will begin, along with the start of infrastructure setup.
In Year 2, 2026, the infrastructure setup for the five remaining hubs will be completed, new employees trained, and waste collection commenced, each hub targeting 5,000 tons of plastic waste per year. The first annual impact report will be prepared and published. Progress of the hubs will be reviewed, community feedback surveys conducted, and improvements implemented based on feedback. Opportunities for further expansion and new partnerships will be explored.
In Year 3, 2027, the overall impact will be analyzed, and the final impact report published. The three-year commitment will officially conclude, and next steps for ongoing impact will be outlined.
In Year 4, 2028, post-commitment activities will be finalized to ensure a smooth transition for ongoing operations. Each hub will continue to target or even exceed the collection of 5,000 tons of plastic waste per year
Background
By 2050, our oceans are projected to contain more plastic than fish (World Economic Forum, 2016) . Around 80% of that plastic starts its life on land (WWF) . Mismanaged waste is one of the biggest causes of ocean plastic pollution, with the top ocean pollutants being plastic bags, plastic bottles, food containers and cutlery, wrappers, synthetic rope, and fishing items.
Today, more than 50% of the world’s population lacks access to proper waste management (World Bank, 2016) . Waste is often mismanaged through open dumping or burning, with low-income countries suffering the most due to insufficient funding for proper infrastructure. In these regions, trash often ends up on streets, rivers, and ultimately oceans, causing severe environmental harm.
Mismanaged plastic waste at this scale has a massive impact on our climate. Open burning of waste has a significant climate impact, equivalent to 2–10% of global CO2Eq emissions (Imperial College) . Waste in landfills releases methane, a greenhouse gas, 28 times more potent than carbon dioxide (IPCC) . Marine microplastic hinders the ocean’s natural ability to remove carbon from the atmosphere. It also threatens marine ecosystems, aquatic life, and human health. Animals can mistake plastic for prey and ingest items; chemicals from plastic items can seep into the water; and scientists have found microplastics in human blood, within the placenta, and various human organs.
To prevent further environmental degradation, it is crucial to stop plastic waste from entering the environment in the first place.
Progress Update
Partnership Opportunities
To complete and scale its commitment, CleanHub is seeking financial resources from environmentally conscious brands, philanthropic organizations, government grants, and private investors. Funding will enable CleanHub to establish and operate 10 waste collection hubs, enhance our track-and-trace technology, and provide training and fair wages to local workers. Additionally, CleanHub seeks to adopt best practices to refine its operations and strategies. Media support is also essential to increase our visibility and raise awareness about our initiatives. By leveraging CGI’s expertise and connections, CleanHub can amplify its efforts, attract more stakeholders, and drive broader community engagement. CleanHub believes that collaboration with CGI will help them implement effective solutions, share our progress with a wider audience, create a larger impact in the fight against plastic pollution, and ultimately inspire others to join the cause., Best Practice – CleanHub partners with environmentally conscious brands to fund ocean-bound plastic waste collection. Its ISO-verified plastic credits platform ensures transparency and accountability. The track-and-trace system logs detailed accounts of plastic collection, including quantity, source, and weight, providing real-time evidence of impact. CleanHub’s Code of Conduct incorporates the SA8000 standard, the Ethical Trading Initiative (ETI) base code, and the Fair Labor Association (FLA) Code.
Implementing Partners – As brands’ direct implementing partner, CleanHub manages the waste collection process through its hubs in high-risk regions. Collection methods include door-to-door pickups and direct collection from beaches and rivers, followed by processing at sorting facilities. It ensures rigorous standards and better working conditions through a code of conduct developed with industry expert Kate Larsen.
Media Support – CleanHub’s communications team helps brands educate their audience on sustainability by providing customizable templates, videos, and images. These resources help brands maximize their sustainability impact