Week 32 of #52weeksofgiving - 4ocean - Global Ocean Cleanup Initiative
Our #52weeksofgiving week 32 organization was chosen by Beau, who decided to support 4ocean and their amazing mission! At just nine years old, Beau is passionate about caring for the environment and others. He discovered and fell in love with 4ocean and their efforts to clean the ocean while on Nantucket.
Beau particularly loves swimming and fishing in the ocean, which inspires him to help care for and clean it up. Led by his big brother Tad, Beau and his friends Jameson and Isabelle went on a beach walk to collect trash and perform their own ocean cleanup last week.
Read on to learn more about 4ocean and their unique business model for good.
About 4ocean
Did you know that 90% of all marine debris is plastic?!
4ocean is on a mission to end the ocean plastic crisis. The unique organization is a:
Public Benefit Corporation: They prioritize social and environmental impact alongside profits.
Certified B Corp: They are one of a handful of companies working to advance pivotal ecological, social, and economic causes worldwide.
Simply put, they are doing a whole lot of powerful work to help clean the ocean!
The business for good was founded by Alex Schulze and Andrew Cooper, two surfers who truly began understanding the ocean plastic crisis on a surf trip in Bali. They decided they could do something about it by creating a business that funds a global ocean cleanup.
Alex and Andrew created a business model in which they hire boat captains and fishermen in communities heavily impacted by plastic ocean pollution to work as full-time professional cleanup crews. They collect plastic and other harmful garbage from oceans, rivers, and coastlines seven days a week.
4ocean currently has teams in Florida, Hawaii, Indonesia, and Guatemala. They even document their Sea Life Encounters, where the crews help animals they come across in their work, such as entangled dolphins and birds.
The plastic and other waste that 4ocean crews collect are then repurposed into products like their bracelets and iPhone cases. Sales of these items help fund their entire operation while educating people on single-use plastics and alternatives. Plus, 4ocean pulls one pound of trash from the oceans, rivers, and coastlines for every product sold!
4ocean continues expanding their efforts to raise awareness and help end our reliance on plastic items that often can’t be reused.
How You Can Help Clean the Ocean
Help 4ocean continue their work by shopping their beautiful jewelry made from recycled plastic and waste recovered from the ocean, riverways, and coastlines. Or choose from other products like beach gear, apparel, bags, drinkware, and more—all made from recycled materials! When you sport your 4ocean gear, you can use it to spread awareness about the ocean plastic crisis among your friends and family.
Your purchase also makes a difference thanks to 4ocean’s overall process:
Ocean-first mentality: All products are designed, sourced, and produced with impact in mind.
Local artisans: All beaded and braided bracelets are handcrafted by artisans in Bali’s remote villages, providing locals with sustainable, living-wage jobs.
Closed-loop: 4ocean will take back any products you no longer wear or use so they can dispose of them in the most sustainable way possible—or even transform them into new products!
And if you are located in a coastal area or another waterway and want to take an active approach close to home, you can always draw inspiration from Beau and his friends and organize an ocean cleanup! Whether you grab a few friends or a large group from your neighborhood, you can make a difference. Not to mention, everyone who participates will gain perspective about the kind of pollution found in our waters and how it negatively impacts our ecosystem.
Additionally, 4ocean offers various ways for organizations to get involved and join their clean water initiatives, such as plastic-free consulting, Plastic Neutral Certifications, and the option to become a Certified Cleanup Partner. Learn more about their partnership opportunities and how your company can help clean the ocean.
To learn more about their many products and initiatives, visit 4ocean.com. Or, keep up with their latest work on Instagram @4ocean or Facebook!