Our coastlines, beaches, and oceans have become overrun with plastic pollution, a crisis that threatens everyone’s quality of life. Luckily, individuals and organizations have been working hard to clean up our waterways and innovate to prevent plastic from ever reaching our oceans. Now, it’s everyone’s turn.
We spoke with Alex Schulze, Co-Founder and CEO at 4ocean, about how this organization is helping to put an end to the ocean plastic crisis and creating a sustainable future for our planet.
What was the “spark” that inspired you to start your organization?
The spark that ignited 4ocean came from a surfing trip to Bali with friend and co-founder, Andrew Cooper. We were out there to surf, but what we found was a crazy amount of plastic. It was everywhere — in the water, on the beaches, even entangled in the reefs. It was heartbreaking to see such an awesome place overwhelmed by pollution. We realized that if we didn’t do something, this problem would only get worse.
That trip was our wake-up call. We knew we had to take action, and that’s how 4ocean was born in January 2017. Our mission was clear: clean the ocean and create a sustainable future for our planet.
What do you consider to be your biggest success? Can you share any stories of the impact your work has had that have surprised you?
Our biggest success has to be reaching the milestone of removing over 38 million pounds of trash from oceans and coastlines. It’s a testament to the hard work of our dedicated team and the incredible support from our global community.
One story that stands out is from our cleanup operations in Guatemala. We partnered with local communities along the Rio Motagua, one of the most polluted rivers in the world, to remove plastic waste and provide job opportunities. The impact was incredible — not only did we clean up the environment, but we also helped improve the quality of life for many families. The locals were incredibly engaged and passionate about restoring their environment, and it was amazing to see the community come together to tackle such a massive problem. Seeing the smiles on their faces and knowing that we made a difference in their lives was incredibly rewarding. It’s moments like those that remind us why we do what we do.
How can protecting oceans and waterways help make the world better?
Protecting our oceans and waterways is crucial for the health of our planet. Oceans are the lungs of Earth, producing over half of the world’s oxygen and absorbing a significant amount of carbon dioxide. They regulate our climate, provide food and livelihoods for billions of people, and support a diverse range of marine life. When we protect our oceans, we’re not just preserving a vital ecosystem, we’re also safeguarding our future. Clean oceans mean healthier communities, more sustainable economies, and a better quality of life for everyone. It’s all interconnected, and by taking care of our oceans, we’re taking care of ourselves.
What are some of the challenges you typically face in carrying out your purpose?
One of the biggest challenges we face is the sheer scale of the plastic pollution problem. Billions of pounds of plastic enter the ocean every year, and it’s a constant battle to keep up with the influx. Another challenge is raising awareness and changing behaviours. It’s not enough to just clean up the trash; we need to address the root causes and prevent plastic from entering the ocean in the first place. This requires a collective effort from individuals, businesses, and governments. Additionally, operating in remote and underserved areas can be logistically challenging, but it’s essential to reach these high-impact zones.
Despite these challenges, we’re committed to our mission and continuously innovate to overcome obstacles.
Are there any upcoming initiatives or projects you’d like to share?
We just recently launched our partnership program, where virtually any business has the opportunity to implement a sustainability program and partner with us to clean plastic from the ocean. This has been critical for our cleanup expansion and ongoing cleanup efforts.
What can people do to help support your mission?
The best way to support our mission is for people to get involved in local cleanups, wherever they may be. Not everyone lives by the ocean, but cleaning up rivers, lakes, and other waterways can stop the flow of trash out to the ocean and help raise awareness about the ocean plastic crisis.
We encourage everyone to track their monthly plastic consumption and look for ways to cut down on single-use plastics in their daily lives. Even a small change can make a big difference. Look for sustainable products to help make the transition, so you can start to live a life that is plastic-free or even plastic-negative!
For people who want to make a big difference right away, I’d recommend joining our Bracelet of the Month Club program. Every month, we send out a limited-edition bracelet dedicated to a marine animal like turtles, whales, and sharks. Each bracelet pulls 10 pounds of ocean trash for double the impact, plus includes VIP early access to new products, mystery gifts and surprises, and updates from 4ocean about how your support is helping us put an end to the ocean plastic crises.
We are also looking for businesses and brands that are looking to partner with us to implement sustainability programs and help us clean the ocean.
This story was featured in the Make The World Better Magazine:
