What Does 4ocean Do With the Plastic in the Ocean?
4ocean is an organization that claims to be cleaning millions of tons of trash from the ocean. Discover if they are actually making a difference.
What is 4ocean?
4ocean is a for-profit company founded by two surfers on a mission to end the ocean plastic crisis. Through their sales of handcrafted bracelets, they fund their work of removing plastic waste from the world's oceans, rivers, and coastlines. Since its founding in Boca Raton, Florida 2017, 4ocean claims to have removed 38,285,291 pounds of trash globally. This year alone, they have conducted 5,575 cleanups, pulling an estimated 4,282,350 pounds of plastic waste from oceans and other waterways. With these astounding numbers and large support from their customers, 4ocean seems to be helping restore our waterways at a tremendous rate, but could it be too good to be true? Discover what we found out.
What environmental issues does 4ocean solve?
4ocean makes it clear to understand the issues they address by primarily tackling the problem of ocean plastic pollution. With the sales of their 4ocean bracelets, each sold is said to fund the removal of 5 pounds of trash from aquatic environments. When paired with their other membership services, such as their bracelet of the month, plastic offset program, biodegradable sponge, and LunchSkins Shark sandwich bags, their reach expands exponentially, making them able to send out different teams to do the work and make the significant contribution to reducing the impact of plastic waste on marine ecosystems.
The bracelets are made from recycled ocean plastic, providing a second life to materials that would otherwise pollute our oceans. This approach not only helps clean up the ocean but also reduces the demand for virgin plastic production.
Does 4ocean's goods serve human or planetary needs?
Let's take a look at how the goods 4ocean distributes in exchange for funding to see if there are any issues or impacts on the environment.
Human Needs:
4ocean's cleanup efforts help restore waterways that are essential to the quality of human life. From affecting animals and delicate ecosystems to removing dangerous microplastics, their work helps to repair the damage caused by plastic waste and helps benefit communities around the globe. By purchasing these bracelets, 4ocean contributors help fund the work to contribute to cleaner oceans and support the livelihoods of local artisans in Bali and Guatemala.
Planetary Needs:
The primary planetary benefit, or large-scale benefit, of removing plastic waste from oceans and coastlines is that everyone on the planet benefits. This action helps mitigate the harmful effects of plastic pollution on marine life and ecosystems. Additionally, the recycled materials collected by 4ocean help reduce the need for new plastics, which helps other businesses and manufacturers embrace a circular economy instead of a linear one. This is the ultimate impact; if most companies could reduce their need for virgin resources and limit their waste production, our entire planet could change.
What does 4ocean do with the plastic once extracted?
Our primary concern is how waste is being recycled or integrated into a circular economy. Businesses that can meet this requirement can ultimately be considered at the highest tier of regenerative business models.
So what does 4ocean do with the waste once extracted? Here's the scoop!
Once plastics or waste are extracted from the environment by the 4ocean team, they are then transported to local processing facilities in Florida, Indonesia, and Guatemala. There, the waste is weighed, sorted, and washed while being documented.
Then, the recycling process is determined by the type of plastic.
Here are the details:
Some plastics are recycled locally, and they are processed into raw materials that other manufacturers can use instead of virgin plastic.
Plastics at the end of their lifecycle are either responsibly landfilled or sent to the Solid Waste Authority in West Palm Beach, Florida. There, it's converted into energy that powers homes and businesses.
What about the bracelets?
Once the 4ocean bracelets reach their end of life, they can be returned for recycling or repurposing. The focus on using recycled ocean plastic as the primary material supports a circular economy by reducing waste and promoting the reuse of materials. 4ocean's commitment to sustainability extends to ensuring its products and processes align with circular economy principles.
Is 4ocean a sustainable company I can trust?
4ocean has proven that it is committed to more than just selling products. Here are other reasons why we are vetting 4ocean as a sustainable company:
Certified B Corp: 4ocean meets rigorous standards for social and environmental performance, accountability, and transparency.
1% for the Planet Member: The company donates at least 1% of its gross sales to environmental organizations.
Ocean Positive: 4ocean calculates and offsets its carbon footprint through initiatives like restoring blue-carbon ecosystems.
GreenCircle Certified: Their entire plastic supply chain is audited and verified, ensuring accurate upcycling practices.
Public Benefit Corporation: Legally required to prioritize social and environmental impact alongside shareholder value.
Overall, 4ocean is helping create a regenerative future while prioritizing circular and sustainable business practices.
When you choose 4ocean, you support the restoration of waterways and sustainable production practices by using recycled materials and supporting small business owners while contributing to other sustainable products.
To learn more about 4ocean's sustainable sourcing practices and impact, visit their website.
Explore 4ocean on our sustainable marketplace and discover how you can contribute to a cleaner ocean while supporting a business that aligns with your values.
Key Takeaways:
4ocean Bracelets: Each purchase removes 5 pounds of ocean plastic, supports local artisans, and contributes to broader environmental conservation efforts.
Sustainable Practices: 4ocean's use of recycled materials and commitment to sustainability through certifications and ethical practices.
Impact: 4ocean's global cleanup efforts have removed millions of pounds of trash, supported local economies, and promoted environmental awareness.
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