Who knew that a simple bracelet could result in the removal of millions of pounds of trash from the world’s oceans, rivers, and coastlines?
Apparently, Alex Schulze and Andrew Cooper. After seeing first-hand the devastating impact that plastic pollution was having on the ocean and coastal communities, Alex and Andrew knew they had to do something. What started as a fun surf trip to Bali for these two Floridians ended with 4ocean. This innovative business model sells sleek handcrafted bracelets and more to fund ocean cleanup efforts.
4ocean is built on the idea that business can be a force for social and public good. Working together with local fishermen and coastal communities, the company is striving to protect and restore the planet’s oceans and waterways. Their work is paying off. Since they were founded in 2017, they have cleaned up more than 25 million pounds of trash. They’ve also donated nearly $2 million to more than 50 like-minded organizations working to save the environment.
From top to bottom, 4ocean is a mission-focused business that is dedicated to operating sustainably and practicing social responsibility. The company employs people in areas impacted by plastic pollution. From the people making the bracelets to the 185 crew members – all are paid fair, living wages.
The purchase of one bracelet allows 4ocean to pull one pound of trash from oceans, rivers, and coastlines around the world, from Hawaii to Florida to Guatemala and beyond. The iconic piece of jewelry is made by hand in Bali. The cord is 100% 4ocean plastic (that’s plastic pulled from the ocean), and the beads are 95% post-consumer recycled glass. It’s easy to identify as a 4ocean bracelet, letting ocean lovers know you’re a part of the clean ocean movement. It’s also just a good conversation starter about the impacts of plastic pollution.
4ocean is a B Corporation meaning the third-party nonprofit B Lab has certified that 4ocean meets the highest standards of social and environmental performance, public transparency, and legal accountability.
Today, the company has expanded its list of offerings to include single-use alternatives, apparel, cleanup gear, beach gear, accessories, and other jewelry, not just bracelets. Each product comes with that unique one-pound promise. So, whether you’re buying for yourself or looking for a gift, 4ocean is the perfect place for any eco-conscious shopper to browse.
At eveelife.com, we love their backpack beach chair in nautical stripe. The chair features five lounging positions to keep you comfortable and relaxed. Of course, all the fabric and parts are made from 100% post-consumer recycled plastic. Its neat blue stripe pattern with the bold 4ocean logo lets others know where you stand on the issue of sustainability.
You’ve heard of reusable water bottles. 4ocean has a few cute options in that category that you can choose from in different colors and sizes. We recommend checking out the unique ombre style. What’s often overlooked, though, are those pesky red cups used at parties and events. Those cups are made from polystyrene, a synthetic polymer that is too dangerous and inefficient to recycle. Even worse, the cups can take hundreds of years to decompose. Luckily, 4ocean offers a better alternative with its reusable stainless-steel cups. Sold as a 4-pack, they are made with food-safe materials free from BPA, phthalates, lead, and cadmium. They’re also environmentally friendly and 100% recyclable. Did we mention they’re dishwasher-safe?
It’s no wonder that one of their bestsellers is their ethically manufactured 4ocean logo t-shirt. The super breathable and comfy shirt comes in blue, black, and grey and features a classic straight-cut style. It’s made with ocean-safe dyes and sustainably sourced 100% organic cotton certified to the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS). With a bold design that features the 4ocean logo, you can announce your support of their mission.
Inspired by 4ocean’s mission and ready to start your own personal trash pickup efforts? They’ve made it easy to follow in their footsteps. Consider grabbing the handy 4ocean cleanup combo from the experts themselves. This set includes a pair of thick 13-gauge nylon liner gloves with nitrile palm coating, helping to make pickup safer and easier. It also comes with a multi-purpose bag made from 100% recycled plastic. It can double as a cleanup tote or beach bag. Both the bag and gloves are branded with the 4ocean logo.
Check out 4ocean to learn more about its mission and explore its catalog of eco-friendly products. You really can’t go wrong with anything on their site. Their “one pound promise” means that any item you buy will pull one pound of trash (sometimes two!) from the ocean. They also occasionally collaborate with other green companies like Dune Jewelry or Cariuma to create limited-edition items.
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Published November 3, 2022 3:52PM
Eveelife is an eco-oriented lifestyle platform that helps consumers make more purposeful choices about how they live and what they consume. We do it by curating content and products that help them make more conscious, carbon-free choices while amplifying their EV ownership experience.
