One ocean,
one mission
Founded by two surfers on a mission
to end the ocean plastic crisis
Get InvolvedOne ocean,
one mission
Founded by two surfers on a mission
to end the ocean plastic crisis
Get InvolvedA lot of people thought it was a crazy idea…
“When my friend and I first started this company, we were just two surfers trying to clean the ocean. We never imagined that our scrappy little startup would become a global cleanup operation that recovers millions of pounds of trash from the world’s oceans, rivers, and coastlines every year.
But we did it like we’ve always done it… one pound of trash at a time.”
Alex Schulze
Co-Founder + CEO
Get InvolvedA lot of people thought it was a crazy idea…
“When my friend and I first started this company, we were just two surfers trying to clean the ocean. We never imagined that our scrappy little startup would become a global cleanup operation that recovers millions of pounds of trash from the world’s oceans, rivers, and coastlines every year.
But we did it like we’ve always done it… one pound of trash at a time.”
Alex Schulze
Co-Founder + CEO
Get InvolvedWhy we clean
Our lives revolve around the ocean. It’s where we go to work, relax, appreciate nature, and experience the joy of being alive.
And to see those places littered with plastic, to see wildlife disappearing, to see people losing their income and way of life…it’s the driving force behind why we clean.
We do what we do to protect the people and places we love. Not just for ourselves, but for every generation that comes after us.
Get InvolvedWhy we clean
Our lives revolve around the ocean. It’s where we go to work, relax, appreciate nature, and experience the joy of being alive.
And to see those places littered with plastic, to see wildlife disappearing, to see people losing their income and way of life…it’s the driving force behind why we clean.
We do what we do to protect the people and places we love. Not just for ourselves, but for every generation that comes after us.
Get InvolvedBeyond cleanups
Cleanups alone aren’t enough to end the ocean plastic crisis. Each of us has a role to play in preventing plastic pollution and we must work together to stop it at the source.
Beyond cleanups
Cleanups alone aren’t enough to end the ocean plastic crisis. Each of us has a role to play in preventing plastic pollution and we must work together to stop it at the source.
Business for good
4ocean exists for one reason: to protect and preserve our oceans. Our ocean-first philosophy is at the heart of every decision we make as individuals and as a company.
Public Benefit Corporation
As a Public Benefit Corporation, we’re legally required to prioritize our social and environmental impact alongside shareholder value.
We decided to file as a PBC to ensure we stay focused on our mission no matter what the future brings.
Certified B Corp
4ocean is a Certified B Corp—just like Patagonia, Bombas, Tom’s, Ben & Jerry’s, and many of your other favorite do-good brands.
Recognized as the highest standard for social and environmental corporate responsibility, this certification means that our entire business—from our daily operations to our financials—has been audited by the third-party nonprofit accreditation firm B Lab to verify that our impact is real.
1% for the Planet
Saving the ocean and our planet will take more than what one person, company, or organization can do on their own, but only 3% of all philanthropy in the U.S. goes to environmental causes.
As members of 1% for the Planet, we’ve made a commitment to donate at least 1% of our gross sales to environmental organizations that have a proven track record of driving positive change for our oceans and our planet.
Ocean Positive Verified by SeaTrees
We calculate and offset our company’s entire carbon footprint every year by restoring blue-carbon ecosystems like kelp and mangrove forests through our partnership with SeaTrees by Sustainable Surf.
But we’ve never been the type to do the bare minimum. This certification means we’ve sequestered more carbon than our business emits to have a positive impact on the marine environment.
GreenCircle Certified
Every single pound of trash we recover can be traced from the exact geo coordinates where it was collected through our entire supply chain.
This claim is verified through our GreenCircle Certification, which requires on-site observations of our cleanups as well as audits of all documentation including the before, during, and after pictures we take for every single cleanup we conduct.
Business for good
4ocean exists for one reason: to protect and preserve our oceans. Our ocean-first philosophy is at the heart of every decision we make as individuals and as a company.
Public Benefit Corporation
As a Public Benefit Corporation, we’re legally required to prioritize our social and environmental impact alongside shareholder value.
We decided to file as a PBC to ensure we stay focused on our mission no matter what the future brings.
Certified B Corp
4ocean is a Certified B Corp—just like Patagonia, Bombas, Tom’s, Ben & Jerry’s, and many of your other favorite do-good brands.
Recognized as the highest standard for social and environmental corporate responsibility, this certification means that our entire business—from our daily operations to our financials—has been audited by the third-party nonprofit accreditation firm B Lab to verify that our impact is real.
1% for the Planet
Saving the ocean and our planet will take more than what one person, company, or organization can do on their own, but only 3% of all philanthropy in the U.S. goes to environmental causes.
As members of 1% for the Planet, we’ve made a commitment to donate at least 1% of our gross sales to environmental organizations that have a proven track record of driving positive change for our oceans and our planet.
Ocean Positive Verified by SeaTrees
We calculate and offset our company’s entire carbon footprint every year by restoring blue-carbon ecosystems like kelp and mangrove forests through our partnership with SeaTrees by Sustainable Surf.
But we’ve never been the type to do the bare minimum. This certification means we’ve sequestered more carbon than our business emits to have a positive impact on the marine environment.
GreenCircle Certified
Every single pound of trash we recover can be traced from the exact geo coordinates where it was collected through our entire supply chain.
This claim is verified through our GreenCircle Certification, which requires on-site observations of our cleanups as well as audits of all documentation including the before, during, and after pictures we take for every single cleanup we conduct.
100% of our profits go to our mission
Daily Cleanups
4ocean is one of the only companies in the world that hires full-time captains and crews to recover plastic waste and other man-made debris directly from the open ocean and environments where plastic is at high risk of entering the ocean. This includes select rivers as well as vulnerable coastal ecosystems like mangrove forests, coral reefs, estuaries, and beaches. Thanks to you, we’re out here seven days a week.
Captains + Crews
We believe in taking care of the people who are taking care of the ocean. All of our captains and cleanup crews are full-time employees who receive a fair living wage. Thanks to you, we also cover all health insurance costs and provide additional benefits and bonus incentives.
Bracelet Artisans
Plastic pollution disproportionately impacts women and children in poor and marginalized communities. Every bracelet you purchase helps support local artisans in Bali and Guatemala by providing the reliable source of income they need right now while creating new opportunities for growth, health, education, equality, and prosperity in the future.
Vessels + Equipment
We purchase, own, and maintain all of the vessels, tools, and equipment our crews need to do their jobs. As we expand, our fleet grows bigger and maintenance costs rise. Thanks to you, our crews always have what they need to stay safe and effective.
Facilities + Operations
We operate out of multiple locations around the world and need dedicated areas where our crews can meet, store equipment, and process recovered materials so they don’t reenter the environment.
Waste Management
We always prioritize the most sustainable disposal methods for all of our recovered materials—even when it costs more. Thanks to you, we’re also able to set up or invest in local waste management infrastructure when operating in areas where none exists.
Education + Awareness
We’re committed to sharing our knowledge, raising awareness, and inspiring action on behalf of our one shared ocean. Your purchases make it possible for us to share our mission with new audiences all around the world and inspire more people to join the clean ocean movement.
100% of our profits go to our mission
Daily Cleanups
4ocean is one of the only companies in the world that hires full-time captains and crews to recover plastic waste and other man-made debris directly from the open ocean and environments where plastic is at high risk of entering the ocean. This includes select rivers as well as vulnerable coastal ecosystems like mangrove forests, coral reefs, estuaries, and beaches. Thanks to you, we’re out here seven days a week.
Captains + Crews
We believe in taking care of the people who are taking care of the ocean. All of our captains and cleanup crews are full-time employees who receive a fair living wage. Thanks to you, we also cover all health insurance costs and provide additional benefits and bonus incentives.
Bracelet Artisans
Plastic pollution disproportionately impacts women and children in poor and marginalized communities. Every bracelet you purchase helps support local artisans in Bali and Guatemala by providing the reliable source of income they need right now while creating new opportunities for growth, health, education, equality, and prosperity in the future.
Vessels + Equipment
We purchase, own, and maintain all of the vessels, tools, and equipment our crews need to do their jobs. As we expand, our fleet grows bigger and maintenance costs rise. Thanks to you, our crews always have what they need to stay safe and effective.
Facilities + Operations
We operate out of multiple locations around the world and need dedicated areas where our crews can meet, store equipment, and process recovered materials so they don’t reenter the environment.
Waste Management
We always prioritize the most sustainable disposal methods for all of our recovered materials—even when it costs more. Thanks to you, we’re also able to set up or invest in local waste management infrastructure when operating in areas where none exists.
Education + Awareness
We’re committed to sharing our knowledge, raising awareness, and inspiring action on behalf of our one shared ocean. Your purchases make it possible for us to share our mission with new audiences all around the world and inspire more people to join the clean ocean movement.
Stay Connected
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