Why does 4Ocean exist?

Although we use products like plastic bags or straws only once, they persist in the environment for thousands of years. Single-use plastic is also a major problem for our oceans. Over time, plastic waste breaks down into smaller and smaller pieces – so-called microplastics – and marine animals such as fish and turtles ingest the microplastics and the toxins they contain. These toxins can be very harmful and even fatal to both marine animals and humans.

How did 4Ocean come about?

4Ocean is an environmental organization with the goal of ending the plastic crisis in the ocean or at least sustainably mitigating it.

4Ocean was founded in 2017 by two university graduates, Alex Schulze and Andrew Cooper. After being shocked by the amount of plastic waste floating in the oceans while on vacation in Bali, they knew they had to do something about it. Their goal: to rid the environment of plastic waste as sustainably as possible.

4Ocean has since grown significantly and has organized and set up beach cleanup stations in Indonesia, Haiti, Florida, and Guatemala.

4Ocean's mission includes, on the one hand, recovering harmful plastic debris floating in the ocean or on the coast. On the other hand, 4Ocean educates people about the plastic crisis and encourages them to reduce their plastic consumption.

How does 4Ocean work?

4Ocean volunteers and workers are committed to removing as much plastic waste as possible from the oceans. They either collect the waste from the beach or fish it out of the water. The volunteers either recycle the collected waste on-site or take it to waste disposal facilities. Recycling is a top priority.

With every 4Ocean bracelet sold, 4Ocean funds the work of its volunteers and simultaneously supports various environmental projects. In just three years, 4Ocean has already collected over 5,000 tons of plastic waste.

What are 4Ocean bracelets made of?

4Ocean bracelets are made from recycled plastic waste that 4Ocean volunteers retrieve from the ocean. This is then used to create braided bracelets, for example – the glass beads are also made from recycled glass. Both bracelet models are water-resistant and made from 100% recycled materials. The logo pendant on the 4Ocean bracelet is made of stainless steel.

How are 4Ocean bracelets made?

1. First, the collected plastic is weighed and photographed.
2. The plastic is recorded in the 4Ocean TrashTracker and documented in writing.
3. The bags are then transported to regional sorting stations, where volunteers sort the plastic by type, color, and condition.
4. After the sorting process, 4Ocean sends the plastic to various recycling partners for flaking, washing and pelletizing.
5. 4Ocean uses the recycled pellets to produce beads, cords and pendants.
6. The beads, cords and pendants reach the main factory in Denpasar, Bali.
7. Volunteers distribute the materials to local craftsmen all over the island, even in the most remote villages.

4Ocean places great importance on the recycling process. However, sometimes certain materials are too damaged to be recycled. In these cases, 4Ocean works closely with local facilities to find the most sustainable disposal method for such materials. If no suitable recycling method is available, 4Ocean sometimes has to dispose of materials through heat treatment or send them to a landfill.

Where can I buy a 4Ocean bracelet?

Our website offers a wide selection of different 4Ocean bracelets and many payment options. Due to high demand, prepayment is currently not possible for 4Ocean bracelets. We ask for your understanding.

Which animals and themes are available for the 4Ocean bracelet?

We offer almost every 4Ocean bracelet ever made in a wide range of colors. This is intended to raise awareness for the animals affected by ocean pollution. Below you'll find a list of all the animals and their corresponding 4Ocean bracelet colors.

Not every bracelet represents an animal. There are also bracelets that represent various environmental issues, such as "overfishing." The "Everglade" bracelet and the "Great Barrier Reef" bracelet represent areas that are severely affected by plastic pollution. The inhabitants of these areas are therefore threatened with extinction.

The list of available bracelets is constantly changing, as 4Ocean releases a new design monthly and discontinues most older models. All currently available bracelets can be found in the 4Ocean Bracelets section of the shop.

What does buying 4Ocean bracelets do?

By purchasing a 4Ocean bracelet, you are contributing to the mission of the 4Ocean movement. You are actively helping to improve the environment a little bit. With each bracelet, 4Ocean removes half a kilo of trash from the ocean and coasts.

By removing plastic waste, you can not only save the lives of many marine animals, such as manta rays, in the long run, but also support 4Ocean volunteers in the production of products, such as the Stingray Bracelet.

What happens to my money after I purchase a 4Ocean bracelet?
With every purchase, 4Ocean funds ocean cleanup worldwide and supports their mission: to reduce dependence on single-use plastic.
First, 4Ocean promises that with the purchase of each bracelet, one pound of plastic will be removed from the ocean or beaches – the so-called 1-pound promise.

Because 4Ocean bracelets are handmade by artisans in Bali, Indonesia, your purchase creates sustainable jobs with secure wages. In Bali, it's common for women to take care of the household and children, and therefore don't work in the city. By making 4Ocean bracelets, housewives can also pursue employment while still taking care of their families and household.

Can I make my 4ocean bracelet tighter?

The new version of braided bracelets as well as all beaded bracelets can be adjusted in size and adapted to your preference.

The older, non-adjustable braided bracelets are available in the following sizes:

• SMALL (for a wrist circumference of 14.61 cm to 17.15 cm)
• MEDIUM (for a wrist circumference of 17.15 cm to 19.69 cm)

My 4Ocean bracelet is broken, can I repair it?

4Ocean offers a one-year warranty on the bracelets.

If your 4Ocean bracelet is damaged, please use our contact form on the website or send us an email with the following information:

The following information is required if you wish to complain about the bracelet:

• Your order number
• When did you place the order?
• A photo of the defective 4ocean bracelet
• The product name of the bracelet (e.g. Stingray braided)
• Your shipping address

Before we can send you a new strap, we will work with 4Ocean to check the defective condition of the strap. If the model is still in stock, we will send you a free replacement or an equivalent strap.

In the interest of responsible handling of the defective band, we ask you to dispose of it correctly according to the materials so that it does not end up in the sea again!

Are there other 4Ocean products?

We all know that single-use plastic bottles are bad for the environment and create a lot of waste. But what can we do about it? By purchasing a 4Ocean stainless steel water bottle, you're removing the average amount of waste equivalent to 345 single-use plastic bottles!

Unfortunately, 4Ocean has discontinued shipping its drinking bottles to Europe, and they are now only available for purchase directly through the 4Ocean website. We deeply regret this, but unfortunately, we cannot change it.

However, before purchasing online and shipping from America to Germany, you should consider whether this footprint is truly ecological. We also offer equivalent and sustainable drinking bottles in our range without the long transport routes!

What else can I do to actively help protect the environment?

Thank you for your interest in environmental protection and the ocean plastic crisis! Here are a few tips and ideas for how you can contribute to environmental protection in your everyday life:

• Say goodbye to single-use plastic! Use sustainable alternatives like stainless steel drinking bottles, glass straws, or cloth bags.
• Join the cleanup team! An estimated 90% of the plastic that ends up in the ocean originates from land-based plastic use. So if you see plastic on the ground, pick it up and dispose of it.
• Share your 4Ocean enthusiasm with those around you! Raise awareness of how serious the environmental problem really is.
• The largest proportion of plastic in the world's oceans is made up of fishing nets made of synthetic fibers. Industrial-scale fishing has already led to overfishing in many regions and continues to destroy the complex organisms of the oceans, on which human life depends, every day. Consider how important fish consumption really is to you and stay informed ...