Rotary and Plastics
Rotary’s 1.4 million members in more than 46,000 clubs are a powerful force against plastic pollution. Since the environment became Rotary’s seventh area of focus in 2020, clubs can use Rotary Foundation global grants for plastic projects. Here are the initiatives and open projects we know of.
Advisor for plastic projects
Jana Koebel is the advisor for plastic projects for the Rotary Club of Newport Beach. She founded Seas & Straws, manages One Earth One Ocean’s recycling project in Bocas del Toro, Panama, and is an accredited plastic-free consultant. Clubs planning a plastic project can reach her through Seas & Straws.
Rotary projects on plastic
Cleanup of the Motagua River
The Motagua flows 486 kilometres through Guatemala to the Caribbean and is one of the most polluted rivers in the world. This US$129,257 Rotary project, based in Buena Vista, Omoa, works to stop its waste from reaching the sea, and Rotary clubs across Honduras have signed a Motagua River Adoption Agreement.
Rotary Upcycling Art Festival
An exhibition and sale where artists turn waste plastic, glass, metal, electronics and other discards into art with a purpose. Its second edition in 2025 ran in three Guatemalan cities at once.
Mare Nostrum, End Plastic Soup
Swiss Rotarians created this association to remove plastic from rivers and lakes several times a year and to teach businesses how to dispose of plastic waste properly.
Fight Plastic Fund
Two awards of €5,000, one for an individual and one for an NGO or start-up, to launch projects that fight plastic waste on the Maltese Islands.
Bocas del Toro recycling structure
Eco warrior Jana Koebel is setting up ocean plastic recovery and recycling in Bocas del Toro with One Earth One Ocean and the Bocas Recycle Center. Jana was recognized for leadership of the Rotary Global Plastic-Free Environment Model.
Tijuana River Cleaning with RiverRecycle
River waste collection and recycling on the Tijuana River, turning collected plastic into construction boards and local jobs. Budget US$300,000 for the first phase. Listed for the 2026 to 2027 Rotary year and looking for partner clubs.
Tijuana River Project
Companion proposal for the same river, with a first pledge from the Rotary Club of Las Vegas WON (District 5300). Budget US$300,000. Open for pledges.
EndPlasticSoup
Rotary’s worldwide movement to end plastic soup by 2050, with Ambassador Clubs, action days and challenges for schools, events and businesses.
ESRAG Plastic Solutions Taskforce
The Environmental Sustainability Rotary Action Group helps clubs plan environmental projects. Its Plastic Solutions Taskforce, co-led by EndPlasticSoup co-founder Gert-Jan van Dommelen, shares project models and experts.
Plastic film recycling challenge
Clubs from Vermont to Michigan collect plastic film such as grocery and bread bags through the NexTrex program. The Rotary Club of Springfield, Vermont diverted more than 6,000 pounds and earned benches made from recycled plastic for its town.
100 Projects in 100 Countries
The Rotary Club of Newport Beach Global Service Committee’s year-round competition. RiverRecycle is in its Top 10 in the World, and One Earth One Ocean won Best Project in Germany.
Rotary in Australia and the Pacific
Plastic Free Bali
Waste sorting, composting, recycling and door-to-door education in four villages beside West Bali National Park, with ten local women trained as educators and more than 2,500 villagers to be trained over two years.
Waste to Resource Hub, Victoria, Laguna
Turns hard-to-recycle plastic sachets into eco-bricks and pavers, recycling 7.2 tonnes a year and creating 12 jobs, with eco stores that sell refills and collect clean plastic.
EndPlasticSoup in Australia
EndPlasticSoup’s session at the 2023 Rotary International Convention in Melbourne drew 240 people, and supporter clubs in Perth, Sydney and Melbourne run pick-up and plastic-free campaigns.
Clean Up Australia Day
Club members join Australia’s biggest community cleanup each year.
Open Rotary global grants on plastic
These plastic projects are listed on MatchingGrants.org and most are still looking for partner clubs and pledges. Amounts and status as listed on 23 September 2026; follow each link for the latest.
River Cleaning, Motagua River
River interceptors and land-based collection to stop plastic before it reaches the Caribbean and the Mesoamerican Reef, with a recycling facility turning low-value plastic into building boards and jobs for local waste collectors. Budget US$300,000, listed for the 2025 to 2026 Rotary year.
Recycled Plastic Boards Mexico
A demonstration project bringing RiverRecycle boards made from recovered plastic into community structures, recycling stations, tree nurseries and “Ice in a Box” walls, with workshops for Rotarians, schools and municipalities. Budget US$50,000, listed for the 2025 to 2026 Rotary year.
Guardians of the River
Training students in 10 schools to lead environmental activities in their towns. Budget US$86,105, listed for the 2025 to 2026 Rotary year.
Plastic Museum
A plastic museum and experience center, with EndPlasticSoup co-founder Gert-Jan van Dommelen’s club as international partner. Budget US$64,000, listed for the 2024 to 2025 Rotary year.
Clean Plastic from Rivers
Stopping plastic from reaching marine life by cleaning some of the most polluted rivers. Budget US$51,250, listed for the 2023 to 2024 Rotary year.
Garbage compaction and recycling
Compacting bulky plastic and cardboard locally so far fewer truck trips are needed to reach recycling plants in Santiago. Budget US$109,652, listed for the 2023 to 2024 Rotary year.
Promotion of a recycling culture
Dedicated plastic and aluminum containers for the city’s collection service and better working conditions for 38 waste collector families. Budget US$76,585, listed for the 2023 to 2024 Rotary year.
Recycle Plastic for Education
Reducing plastic waste and returning recycled material to consumers, with the revenue supporting local middle schools. Budget US$97,682, listed for the 2023 to 2024 Rotary year.
Recycle project
A recycling system that turns a sporting club into a “Green Club”, with planning, education and tracking. Budget US$30,000, listed for the 2025 to 2026 Rotary year.
Waste to Wealth: upcycling
Turning waste materials into higher-value products to save resources and create income. Budget US$79,434, listed for the 2024 to 2025 Rotary year.
Organizing recycling
Recycling, reuse and waste reduction with environmental education and income for local families. Budget US$35,130, listed for the 2020 to 2021 Rotary year.
Rotary district grants on plastic
Smaller district grants let clubs start plastic projects close to home. These are listed on the MatchingGrants.org district grants site.
- Preserve Calavera microfiber and microplastic testing | Carlsbad, California | Rotary Club of Solana Beach, 2026 to 2027. Lab supplies to measure microfibers and microplastics in three coastal watersheds with Dr. Dimitri Deheyn’s lab at Scripps Institution of Oceanography, UC San Diego; funded in several years.
- Brewcycling Collaborative | San Diego County, California | Rotary Club of Solana Beach, 2024 to 2025. Helping craft brewers create recycling solutions and share sustainable practices.
- Chennai beach cleanup | Chennai, India | Rotary Club of Madras, 2022 to 2023. Materials and labor to clear beaches where plastic piles up after outings.
- ReThinking Single Use Plastics | Orange, California | Rotary Club of Orange Plaza, 2021 to 2022. Reusable water bottles and a plastics curriculum for high school juniors and seniors.
- Refills Not Landfills | Red Lodge, Montana | Rotary Club of Red Lodge, 2019 to 2020. Water refill stations to cut reliance on plastic bottles.
- Little Free Bag Exchange | Soldotna, Alaska | Rotary Club of Kenai River-Soldotna, 2018 to 2019. Bag exchange stations in local stores so shoppers reuse grocery bags.
- Kenai River recycling | Soldotna, Alaska | Rotary Club of Soldotna, 2014 to 2015. Recycling containers at community events along the Kenai River.
- Plastic waste reduction | Avalon, Catalina Island, California | Rotary Club of Avalon, 2013 to 2014. Filtered bottle filling stations for a town of 3,800 residents and about a million visitors a year.
Find and fund more projects
MatchingGrants.org lists Rotary global grant and district grant projects that are looking for partner clubs. Use its search to filter by the area of focus “The environment” or search for words like plastic, river or recycling, then pledge support or contact the host club.
Start a plastic project in your club
- Pick a proven model. River interception with recycling, a school reuse programme, a plastic-free events policy or a local film recycling challenge.
- Find a partner already doing the work. Start with the organizations in our database and our featured partners.
- Plan for the long run. Rotary grants favour projects that keep going after the grant, for example by selling recycled products or moving costs to local government.
- Talk to ESRAG and EndPlasticSoup for advice and speakers.
- Enter 100 Projects in 100 Countries to share your results with a global audience.
Running a plastic project we should list here? Tell us about your Rotary project