4ocean, which according to their website ‘is an ocean cleanup company dedicated to ending the ocean plastic crisis,’ has recently reached an incredible milestone. That was to remove 30 million pounds of plastic waste from the oceans, rivers, and coastlines of the world since the company first began operating in 2017.
The company operates in 12 different locations across two continents and has been highly dedicated to ending the ocean plastic crisis that has caused the planet so much suffering over the past few decades.
4ocean’s CEO and Co-founder, Alex Schulze, said, “4ocean is incredibly proud to have accomplished this record-setting feat.”
“We’ve built an entire business for the sole purpose of cleaning the ocean. With hundreds of local captains and crew members recovering trash from our oceans and coastlines seven days a week and the support of millions of people doing their part to prevent plastic pollution, I’m sure our work will have a lasting impact on the ocean,” he added.
Schulze’s announcement came following the independent audit and verification of 4ocean’s TrashTracker, a propriety database utilized to track the company’s reclaimed materials across their complete supply chain. This rigorous evaluation was conducted by GreenCircle Certified, a globally recognized third-party organization specializing in testing sustainability claims.
4ocean, which happens to be a Public Benefit B Corp based out of Boca Raton, Florida, even sells braceletscreated from all the plastic waste it collects. The company even employs 185 crew members from a variety of countries, including the USA, Guatemala, and Indonesia local to their areas.
Schulze explained, “All of our captains and crews live in the communities we serve and are hired as full-time employees. All of our bracelets are handcrafted by artisans living in either Guatemala or Bali. Every bracelet purchased funds our cleanups and creates jobs that provide the steady income people in these communities need right now.”
Most of 4ocean’s cleanup operations are funded using their product sales. However, in 2021, they launched a Corporate Partnerships Programs that works with other companies to help offset their plastic usage, while also helping in waterway cleanup activities and efforts all across the globe. Some of these partnerships include John Frieda, Nature Gnaws, U.S. Polo Assn. and Mount Gay Rum.
“Waste is ultimately a design flaw, which means preventing plastic pollution starts with changing the way we design, produce, market, consume, and dispose of the products we use each and every day,” shared Schulze.
The company’s most recent project, which was announced on June 8 – World Oceans Day – is a new partnership with Corona. The idea is to take their collection efforts to other highly polluted waters, such as the Rio Motagua river in Guatemala. Unfortunately, this river is considered one of the most polluted rivers in Central America, accounting for almost 2% of all the plastic waste that enters the oceans each year.
The ”A River of Change from Corona x 4ocean” project, which is set to span a total of five years, is dedicated to rejuvenating natural ecosystems and biodiversity. It aims to provide stable, living-wage employment opportunities for individuals directly affected by plastic pollution in the river and its adjacent regions while also establishing sustainable infrastructures for enduing transformation.
According to Schulze, “When they say a small group of dedicated people can change the world, believe them. Reaching 30 million pounds of plastic and trash removed from the oceans is just the first step. We still have a lot of work to do.”
What are your thoughts? Please comment below and share this news!
True Activist / Report a typo
