FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
World Health Innovation Summit (WHIS) and Plastic Bank Unite to Tackle Plastic Pollution and Global Health Inequity
New partnership links environmental sustainability and health access through innovative, measurable action.
London, April – The World Health Innovation Summit (WHIS) and Plastic Bank are proud to announce a strategic collaboration to deliver pioneering programs that unite plastic recovery with health equity, under a new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed this week.
The partnership is designed to drive tangible impact at the intersection of environmental sustainability, public health, and corporate responsibility, with a range of initiatives that turn plastic collection into a vehicle for improved health outcomes worldwide.
“Plastic for Health”: Turning Waste into Wellbeing
At the heart of the collaboration is the “Plastic for Health” model — a simple but powerful concept where each dollar raised supports both the recovery of discarded plastic from the environment and the delivery of vital health services. Through WHIS’s global health programs and Plastic Bank’s ethical plastic collection system, the model creates a transparent, trackable, and scalable way for corporations and investors to contribute to both climate and health solutions.
“This partnership is about linking two of the world’s biggest challenges—plastic pollution and access to healthcare—and transforming them into a shared opportunity for good,” said Gareth Presch, CEO of WHIS. “Together with Plastic Bank, we’re building sustainable systems that empower communities and protect the planet.”
“Plastic Bank’s mission is ‘gathering for prosperity’. We enable this by revealing value in discarded plastic, empowering communities to gather it from the environment, and exchange it for income and access to social benefits,” said Eric Bayle of Plastic Bank. “By joining forces with WHIS, we’re linking that mission directly to human health—creating new pathways for impact, purpose, and innovation.”
Plastic Bank, which regenerates the environment by recovering plastic, supports communities in overcoming poverty, and empowers businesses to grow with purpose-driven impact, is making a tangible difference in the fight for a cleaner environment and healthier communities.
Circular Health Hubs, Advocacy, and Global Events
The partnership will also focus on creating Circular Health Innovation Hubs - local centres where plastic becomes a currency for accessing health services and education. Additional joint initiatives include:
- Pharma with Purpose pilot programs in Plastic Bank communities
- Education and literacy campaigns on the health impacts of plastic
- Advocacy events framing plastic as a global health crisis
- Plastic footprint offsetting for WHIS event attendees, with blockchain-powered tracking and personalized certificates
- Launch of the WHIS Plastic Innovation Fund to support startups tackling plastic and health challenges “We know that plastic pollution has long-term consequences on health, particularly in coastal and island communities,” said David Katz, Founder of Plastic Bank. “Through collaboration with organizations like WHIS, we are creating a future where communities thrive, plastics are responsibly managed, and our environment is cleaner.”
A Call to Action
WHIS and Plastic Bank invite corporate partners, philanthropists, impact investors, pharmaceuticals and health innovators seeking ESG impact, compliance with emerging biodiversity and climate finance mandates to join this unique alliance and become part of a growing movement that addresses planetary health through cross-sector collaboration.
For media inquiries, partnership opportunities, or to request interviews, please contact:
**Media Contact – WHIS **gareth@whis.world
**Further reading: **Plastics and Health: A Vital Connection
About World Health Innovation Summit (WHIS) WHIS is a global platform that enables health innovation through collaboration, empowering communities to improve wellbeing while advancing the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
About Plastic Bank
Plastic Bank is a social fintech with a global bottle deposit program that helps end poverty and stops plastic pollution.
Collection members exchange plastic for money, social benefits, and beyond. Traceable collection, secured income, and verified reporting is delivered through our blockchain-secured platform.
People and businesses reduce their environmental footprint and support communities through an impact membership. Members access tools to share impact, invite their customers to join, and grow.
Collected bottles are returned as recycled feedstock to the circular economy.
Plastic Bank is headquartered in Canada with operations in the Philippines, Indonesia, Brazil, Egypt, Thailand, and Cameroon.
PlasticBank® and Social Plastic® are trademarks of The Plastic Bank Recycling Corporation.
Learn more at plasticbank.com.