CleanHub
 | |
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Environmental technology, Waste management, Sustainability |
| Founded | 2020 |
| Founder | Joel Tasche, Bosse Rothe and Florin Dinga |
Area served | Global (focus on coastal regions in Asia, Africa, and Central America) |
Key people | Joel Tasche (co-founder and CEO), Louis Pfitzner (сo-CEO) |
| Services | Plastic waste collection, Plastic credit certification, end-to-end traceability |
| Website | cleanhub.com |
CleanHub is a Berlin-based environmental technology company focused on plastic waste collection and processing in coastal regions. It partners with consumer brands that fund waste recovery efforts through a plastic credit model.
History
[edit]CleanHub was founded by Joel Tasche, Bosse Rothe, and Florin Dinga in 2020. The company was established to develop systems to reduce ocean-bound plastic waste. The service focuses on collecting plastic waste at the source, preventing it from being dumped.[1][2][3]
In 2021, CleanHub rolled out its digital waste traceability platform, allowing for end-to-end monitoring of plastic collection. This software system records each kilogram of waste from collection to verified disposal. By using QR codes, mobile data uploads, geo-data, and blockchain-like logging, the system helps third-party audits and real-time tracking.[4][5] In June of the same year, CleanHub raised just under €4 million in a seed funding round from Lakestar Ventures and 468 Capital.[6]
In 2022, CleanHub began integrating artificial intelligence to monitor the waste collection data, noting any anomalies or health and safety breaches during collection and improving the classification of plastic materials.
CleanHub's AI-powered automated tracking system documents each collection via a track-and-trace system. Photos are uploaded at every step, and the artificial intelligence meticulously analyses them, checking weight, condition, and GPS data. The system was designed to improve documentation and monitoring of plastic waste recovery processes.[7][8]
In January 2023, Louis Pfitzner joined as co-CEO, and CleanHub became the first ISO-Certified plastic credit system to be verified by industry leaders in auditing environmental impact, TÜV SÜD, according to the ISO 14064-3 standard. This was renewed in January 2025.[9][10]
In June 2023, the company raised €6.4 million in a funding round led by Integra Partners and Lakestar.[11][12]
In October 2023, the company was named "Startup of the Week" by WirtschaftsWoche.[13]
Memberships and recognitions
[edit]CleanHub is a member of the PREVENT Waste Alliance, a global network of over 450 organizations dedicated to minimizing waste and promoting circular economy solutions.
In September 2023, CleanHub was selected as a Top Innovator by UpLink, the World Economic Forum's open innovation platform, recognizing its scalable plastic recovery solutions.[14]
In 2024, The Clinton Global Initiative highlighted CleanHub for its efforts in combating the global water crisis, particularly in preventing plastic pollution in coastal regions. In December 2024, CleanHub received funding from the European Fund for Regional Development (EFRE) to support its initiatives in scaling AI-based waste analysis and expanding waste recovery facilities.[15][16]
In 2024, CleanHub reported having prevented more than 8,000 metric tons of plastic waste from entering the ocean. This waste was collected in areas lacking formal waste management infrastructure.[17]
As of 2025, CleanHub has worked with over 500 brands to support waste collection programs in countries including India, Indonesia, Tanzania, and Guatemala.[18][19]
References
[edit]- ^ Wahnbaeck, Carolin (2022-06-05). "Start-up CleanHub: Plastik neutralisieren, statt es ins Meer zu kippen". Die Zeit (in German). ISSN 0044-2070. Retrieved 2025-05-26.
- ^ "UpLink". uplink.weforum.org. Retrieved 2025-05-26.
- ^ "Origin Story Interview W/ Joel Tasche, CleanHub - Brighter Future". www.brighterfuture.studio. Retrieved 2025-05-26.
- ^ "CleanHub Plastic Reduction". myHerb. Retrieved 2025-05-26.
- ^ "Giving plastic waste new life in India and Indonesia". Only One. Retrieved 2025-05-26.
- ^ "Berlin's ocean cleanup startup Cleanhub raises just shy of €4 million in seed round". Tech.eu. 2021-06-08. Retrieved 2025-05-26.
- ^ "WirtschaftsWoche". www.wiwo.de. Retrieved 2025-05-26.
- ^ "Against the plastic flood – with AI and entrepreneurial spirit". Deutsche Bank. Retrieved 2025-05-26.
- ^ Ringler, Angie (2025-05-02). "What Does CleanHub Do?". Tangie. Retrieved 2025-05-26.
- ^ "Keeping plastic from entering oceans, CleanHub nets $7 million". Tech.eu. 2023-06-21. Retrieved 2025-05-26.
- ^ Marzo, Stefano De (2023-06-21). "Berlin-based CleanHub secures €6.4 million to become the digital infrastructure of the future's waste management". EU-Startups. Retrieved 2025-05-26.
- ^ Kamps, Haje Jan (2023-07-21). "Pitch Deck Teardown: CleanHub's $7M seed deck". TechCrunch. Retrieved 2025-05-26.
- ^ Wirtschaftswoche (2024-01-31). "Veganz Group AG: Systemfehler Plastikverpackung: ein veganer Schokoriegel macht Ärger". www.wiwo.de (in German). Retrieved 2025-05-26.
- ^ "Sustainability start-ups solving circular economy challenges". World Economic Forum. Retrieved 2025-05-26.(World Economic Forum)
- ^ "ProFIT program | CleanHub". www.cleanhub.com. Retrieved 2025-05-26.
- ^ sabina (2024-12-01). "CleanHub Secures Funding and Expands Waste Recovery Operations". Integra Partners. Retrieved 2025-05-26.
- ^ Fearn, Nicholas. "These sustainability-tech companies use AI to improve ocean health by keeping plastics out, boosting coral reefs, and monitoring fish farms". Business Insider. Retrieved 2025-05-26.
- ^ "CleanHub: Preventing Plastic From Entering Waterways". Sparx Publishing Group. Retrieved 2025-05-26.
- ^ "UpLink". uplink.weforum.org. Retrieved 2025-05-26.