4ocean cleans up record-breaking 30 million pounds of ocean plastic

Why 4ocean’s mission is so important

Globally, humans have produced around 18.3 trillion pounds of plastic since the 1950s. Less than 10 percent of it has been properly recycled. As a result, a massive 79 percent of this waste has accumulated in our natural environment.

If we continue on the current rate of projection laid out by the World Economic Forum, our overall plastic use is guaranteed to triple by 2050. The level of plastic waste polluting the planet will increase in tandem.

That said, plastic pollution isn’t just a problem for our planet. We humans are affected by its negative impacts on the global economy and the threat it poses to global food security.

Billions of people around the world are employed by ocean-based industries such as fishing and tourism. On a whole, the blue economy contributes trillions of dollars in goods and services to the global economy every year.

Our global food system is also heavily dependent on the health of marine ecosystems, with more than 3 billion coastal communities relying on seafood as their primary source of protein.

‘Plastic pollution disproportionately impacts poor and marginalised communities around the world,’ says Alex. ‘That’s why it’s important to us that our operations have a direct impact on the people and places most impacted by plastic pollution.’

The mission going forward

While 4ocean’s bracelet sales primarily fund their clean-up operations, the company has recently launched new programs aimed at accelerating progress and maximizing their impact.

In 2021, 4ocean introduced its multifaceted Corporate Partnerships Program which works with companies to offset their plastic usage. It also aids in waterway clean-up efforts around the globe.

So far, brands that have received 4ocean Plastic Neutral Certification and/or become Certified Clean-up Partners include John Frieda, Mount Gay Rum, Nature Gnaws, and the U.S. Polo Association.

Just last month, 4ocean also announced a new partnership with Corona International on World Oceans Day (June 8). The collaboration seeks to reduce plastic pollution in our oceans further, by moving efforts upstream into highly polluted rivers like the Rio Motagua in Guatemala.

One of the most polluted rivers in Central America, the Motagua accounts for roughly 2% of all plastic waste that enters our oceans each year. Focusing clean-up efforts at the source is a smart idea because it prevents thousands of pounds of plastic from entering our oceans in the first place.

Speaking on reaching the 30 million pound mark, Alex Schulze said:

‘When they say a small group of dedicated people can change the world, believe them. 4ocean is incredibly proud to have accomplished this record-setting feat.’

Still, reaching this incredible milestone has only made Schulze and Cooper more motivated to continue their work.

‘Reaching 30 million pounds of plastic and trash removed from the oceans is just the first step,’ says Schulze. ‘We still have a lot of work to do.’