4ocean: Ocean Plastic Bottle Removal - $0.70/plastic bottle

Pulling a bottle of plastic or equivalent trash from the ocean:

Plastic pollution is one of the greatest environmental challenges of our time—with more than 18 billion pounds of plastic entering the ocean each year. Tackling this crisis requires global coordination across coastlines, rivers, and vulnerable ecosystems. Through this project, Ecodrive and 4ocean are funding direct, hands-on cleanups that remove plastic waste from the environment before it can cause further harm. The type of material pulled can vary and the bottle is representative of the waste being cleaned from the ocean, coastlines, and waterways/rivers

THe project

Ecodrive partners with 4ocean, a world leader in ocean cleanup operations employing full-time crews to recover plastic and other man-made debris from coastal and marine environments. These dedicated teams remove waste from high-risk areas including rivers, estuaries, mangrove forests, coral reefs, beaches, and the open ocean. Every item of plastic/trash removed is tracked and documented from collection to final destination. These global operations ensure that both prevention and removal happen at every stage of the pollution cycle—from rivers to reefs to open water.

Location

4ocean operates out of multiple cleanup bases around the world, focusing on regions where plastic waste is most severe or at risk of entering the ocean, including: Florida, USA: Cleanups across the Intracoastal Waterway, Atlantic coastline, and protected mangrove forests under Florida’s Mangrove Act. Bali & Java, Indonesia: Coastal and river cleanups around West Bali National Park, including river boom systems in the Ijo Gading River and Samblong River to trap debris before it reaches the ocean.

Our Partner

4ocean is a for profit entity that employs captains and crews around the world to execute cleanups. All employees receive fair living wages, health insurance, and performance-based incentives, supporting both environmental and social impact. Their mission is simple: to end the ocean plastic crisis while creating sustainable jobs in coastal communities.

The Process

Cleanup operations take place daily across all locations, with specialized crews working on both waterborne and land-based recovery. In Indonesia, river boom systems are installed and maintained to capture waste flowing from inland waterways into the sea. These systems have already prevented thousands of pounds of plastic from entering marine ecosystems. In Florida, the focus is on mangrove restoration and protection, beach cleanups, and Intracoastal debris removal using small vessels and nets designed to minimize disturbance to wildlife. All recovered materials are weighed, and logged before being sorted and processed through approved recycling or disposal facilities.

Community & Ecosystem Impact

Each cleanup directly improves marine health, supports biodiversity, and creates meaningful employment in local communities. Environmental Impact: Thousands of pounds of plastic are permanently removed from high-risk waterways each week. Wildlife Protection: Cleanups help safeguard species that depend on mangroves, coral reefs, and coastal ecosystems. Social Impact: Full-time employment for cleanup crews provides stable income, health benefits, and upward mobility in coastal economies. By partnering with 4ocean, brands contribute to tangible environmental restoration while empowering the communities that depend on healthy oceans for survival.

Metrics & Statistics

Monitoring Technology: GPS tracking and geo-tagged cleanup documentation Ecosystems Covered: Rivers, mangroves, coral reefs, beaches, estuaries, and open ocean zones Key Systems: River booms in Ijo Gading and Samblong Rivers (Bali)

Verification & Evidence

Every single pound of plastic and trash recovered can be traced from the exact geo coordinates where it was collected through the entire cleanup chain. This claim is verified through GreenCircle Certification, which requires on-site observations of all cleanups as well as audits of all documentation including the before, during, and after pictures taken for every single cleanup conducted. Cleanups are verified continuously, with updated certification reports confirming total pounds removed and validated collection points. While cleanups are happening on a daily basis, given the due diligence and verification process required to ensure pounds of plastic are not counted twice, 6-9 months is a fair estimate for when evidence of your specific impact is shared.