Photo by 4ocean
A record-breaking 25 million pounds of trash has been recovered over the past five years from the world’s oceans, rivers, and coastlines by the Florida-based ocean cleanup company, 4ocean. This is the largest amount of trash recovered from the ocean by a single organization in history.
“4ocean was founded in 2017 on the belief that business can be a force for good and that the small choices we make every day, collectively, have the power to change the world,” 4ocean Co-Founder and CEO Alex Schulze said in a statement. “Our entire business model is designed to fund the growth and expansion of our global cleanup operation and advance our mission to end the ocean plastic crisis.”
The world has produced an estimated 18.3 trillion pounds of plastic since the 1950s; less than 10% of it has been recycled while 79% accumulates in the environment. According to the World Economic Forum, global plastic production is expected to triple by 2050.
Plastic pollution is not just an environmental issue though. It also threatens the global economy and human health.
“As the interconnected threats of plastic pollution and climate change continue to grow, those who rely on the health of the ocean for their livelihoods are finding it increasingly difficult to earn a living and provide for themselves and their families. That is why 4ocean is committed to hiring people who live in the communities we serve,” continued Schulze. “The jobs we create help counteract the economic impacts of plastic pollution, incentivize environmental stewardship at the local level, and bring new opportunities for growth, equality, education, and prosperity to people in communities that are disproportionately impacted by plastic pollution.”
4ocean crews follow a meticulous documentation process that provides full transparency and traceability for each pound of trash they recover. All cleanup documentation is uploaded into their proprietary tracking system, the 4ocean TrashTracker, which is audited quarterly by the Better Business Bureau.
GreenCircle Certified has also observed 4ocean’s cleanups, audited the 4ocean TrashTracker, and traced the company’s recovered materials through their entire supply chain to verify the origins and integrity of all products made with 4ocean recovered materials.
4ocean is currently building new B2B offerings to support organizations that want to join the clean ocean movement, fund the company’s global cleanup operation, offset their plastic footprint, operate more sustainably, and meet key UN Sustainable Development Goals.
The organization’s efforts are funded primarily through product sales, including its flagship Signature Beaded Bracelet. Originally made from 100% post-consumer recycled plastic, this bracelet was reintroduced in August 2022 with 100% 4ocean-recovered plastic cord.
In addition to awareness bracelets and jewelry handcrafted by local artisans, 4ocean offers a line of reusable and sustainable alternatives to single-use plastic, products that have already diverted an estimated 3.79 trillion single-use plastic straws, bottles, cups, and utensils from the waste stream.
“We could not have achieved this incredible milestone without ongoing support of the clean ocean movement,” concluded Schulze. “Small acts really do add up and 25 million pounds is the proof. We got here one pound at a time, and will continue until we complete our mission of ending the ocean plastic pollution crisis.”
