Powered by millions of supporters and mission-driven partners, 4ocean has removed over 50 million pounds of plastic from the world’s ocean since 2017

4ocean announced today that it has removed more than 50 million pounds of plastic and trash from the world’s ocean, rivers, and coastlines, marking one of the largest verified ocean cleanup milestones in history.

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4ocean marks their 50 million pounds of plastic & trash removed from the ocean milestone with their donors, business partners, supporters, and team.

The milestone reflects years of sustained cleanup operations supported by millions of customers, donors, supporters, business partners, and professional crews operating across multiple regions. All recovered materials have been tracked over the years through 4ocean’s internal technology, ensuring transparency, accuracy, and accountability, which will launch into a new era later this year.

“What started as a crazy idea in 2017 has become a measurable reality,” said Alex Schulze, co-founder and CEO of 4ocean. “Reaching 50 million pounds removed reflects years of commitment, collaboration, and belief from millions of people in a future where oceans are free from plastic pollution. It’s proof that sustained action can create real change, that the future of our ocean can be different from the past, and that we can do this together.”

Reached through a purpose-driven business model, the 50-million-pound milestone underscores the role that companies, donors, and customers can play in driving measurable environmental outcomes. As 4ocean looks ahead, the organization will continue to scale its cleanup efforts while advancing transparency and operational credibility across its global programs through innovation and action. In 2026, 4ocean will unveil an industry-leading Impact Dashboard platform that provides businesses with full traceability and transparency into the impact they have on people, communities, and the ocean. The Impact Dashboard will directly shape the path to the 100 million pounds of plastic removed from the ocean milestone.

4ocean formally marked the milestone on February 20, 2026, with an inspiring celebration and beach cleanup at Spanish River Park in Boca Raton, Florida. This event brought together more than 200 industry leaders, including executives, partners, donors, government officials, and members of the local community.

“Reaching this milestone is a direct result of the incredible partners and supporters who have chosen to stand with us,” said Bill Toomey, Head of Sustainability Partnerships at 4ocean. “Their commitment to sustainability, transparency, and action has helped turn participation into real-world impact. Together, we’ve proven that collaboration is one of the most powerful tools we have for protecting our ocean.”

4ocean proudly thanks the following partners for their support in reaching this milestone and looks forward to a future of possibilities together:

Abyss Battery, Acucraft Fireplaces, AmeraTrail Trailers, ANA InterContinental Ishigaki Resort, Aqua Expeditions, Aqua Omega, Arctic Fox & Co., Avocado Resto, Azenco Outdoor, Baby Bathwater Institute, BB Logistics, Belgocatering, Benchmark Resorts and Hotels, Blu3, Blue Iron Foundations and Shoring, Bonterra, Bouvier, BRP, Carolina Skiff, Casa Mate Organic Tequila, CBI, CHOMPS, Churchill Containers, Circularity, CIRFOOD, City of Boca Raton, Cleanr, Coastal Waste & Recycling, College Football Playoff, Coral Club, Crosskix, Crunchi, Dave Matthews Band, DECIEM, Dryft, Duckt-Strip, Dune, E1 Team Brady, Easy Foods, Elastec, EMA Aesthetics, Endangered Species Chocolate, Entrusted, Flexon, Frank Family Vineyards, Garden of Life, Garmin, GoodPop, Good Vibes Juice Co., Great Plains Conservation, Growth Acceleration Partners, Halcyon, Hoola Rings, ID&C Band, Jackery, Kaiser Promo, Kingspan, Kitsch, Kodiak Cakes, Levrack, Mavrik, Mount Gay Rum, Natura Health Products, Nectar Markets, OceanBlue, Oceanfoam, Ocean Technology Systems, Oingo, Pacific American Group, Phil’s, Planet Elements, Playa Bowls, Project Merchandise, RedFx, Sailun Tire, Saint James Iced Tea, SalesAndCatering.com, Salt Life, Sea-Doo, Seaside Marine Construction, Seatrade Cruise Global, Serena & Lily, Shorehaven Wealth Partners, SodaPop, SoNomad, Spinnaker, Steve’s Real Food, Sunfood, TEAM SCG, The Hidden Sea, The Seed, The White Feather Foundation, Tidy Hat Co., TrueTouch Flooring, UFC Foundation, U.S. Polo Assn., VeChain, Vivreau, Wave Browser, Wen-Parker Logistics.

About 4ocean: 4ocean is a mission-driven organization made up of two distinct but aligned entities. 4ocean PBC (Public Benefit Corporation and Certified B Corporation) is a for-profit company that funds ocean cleanup through product sales and corporate partnerships. The 4ocean Charitable Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that funds ocean cleanup and educational campaigns through donor-funded programs and philanthropic support. Together, these two entities work in tandem to tackle the global ocean plastic crisis.

About 4ocean PBC: Founded in 2017, 4ocean is a mission-driven Public Benefit Corporation and Certified B Corp dedicated to ending the ocean plastic crisis. What began as a grassroots effort by two surfers has grown into a global cleanup operation removing plastic and trash from the ocean, rivers, and coastlines every day. Through a scalable business-for-good model funded by product sales and corporate partnerships, 4ocean empowers professional cleanup crews to recover, weigh, and document every pound of debris removed, ensuring transparency and measurable impact. The company also invests in river interception technology, community education, and blockchain-backed impact verification, while the 4ocean Foundation, its affiliated 501(c)(3), expands philanthropic support to accelerate cleanup and prevention efforts worldwide.

To learn more, visit https://hubs.ly/Q043VmKx0
Follow us on socials @4ocean

Connect with 4ocean: https://hubs.ly/Q043VmKx0

About 4ocean Foundation:
4ocean Foundation is the nonprofit arm of 4ocean, powered by philanthropy to accelerate the fight against plastic pollution. Through donor support, we remove trash from our ocean, rivers, and coastlines, intercept waste before it becomes harmful microplastics, and share powerful stories that inspire global awareness and action.

To learn more, visit 4oceanFoundation.org/50m
Find us on socials: @4oceanFoundation

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