Privacy Policy
Last updated: December 17, 2025
Introduction
TrashBlitz is operated by the 5 Gyres Institute, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to reducing plastic pollution through science, education, and advocacy. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, and protect your personal information when you use the TrashBlitz application and website.
Information We Collect
Account Information
When you create an account, we collect:
- Your name
- Your email address
Data You Submit
When you participate in cleanup events and submit hauls, we collect:
- GPS coordinates of where trash items were collected
- Photos of collected items
- Information about the types and quantities of items collected
- Date and time of collection
How We Use Your Information
We use your information to:
- Provide and improve the TrashBlitz service
- Enable participation in cleanup events
- Generate aggregated, anonymized statistics about plastic pollution
- Support scientific research and policy advocacy
- Communicate with you about events and your account
Data Visibility
Public Data
The following information is displayed publicly on our map and in aggregated statistics:
- GPS locations of collected items (shown as approximate zones)
- Types and quantities of items collected
- Event information and statistics
Your personal information (name and email) is never displayed publicly.
Limited Visibility
Your name and email are visible only to:
- 5 Gyres Institute staff
- Administrators of organizations you choose to join
- Event organizers for events you participate in
Data Security
We implement appropriate technical and organizational measures to protect your personal information. Your data is stored securely using industry-standard encryption and access controls.
Third-Party Services
We use the following third-party services:
- Supabase - Database and authentication services
- Google OAuth - Optional sign-in method
- Apple Sign In - Optional sign-in method
- Google Maps - Map display and location services
These services have their own privacy policies governing their use of your data.
Your Rights
You have the right to:
- Access the personal information we hold about you
- Request correction of inaccurate information
- Request deletion of your account and personal data
- Opt out of non-essential communications
To exercise these rights, please contact us at the email below.
Children's Privacy
TrashBlitz is not intended for children under 13 years of age. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13.
Changes to This Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. We will notify you of any changes by posting the new policy on this page and updating the "Last updated" date.
Contact Us
If you have questions about this Privacy Policy or your personal data, please contact:
5 Gyres Institute
Email: info@5gyres.org
Website: www.5gyres.org