4ocean Charitable Foundation

We are honored to join this incredible lineup of experts to host an important discussion at the intersection of ocean health and human health. Please join us with Caraway, VoLo Foundation, Leonardo Trasande, and Johanna Hellrigl on November 8th in West Palm Beach.

September was another powerful month for Bali's waterways. Foundation crews hauled 522,150 pounds of trash out of rivers and off beaches, stopping it before it could harm the marine life and ecosystems that depend on them. Over the course of 843 cleanups, crews pulled out the equivalent of 25 million plastic water bottles.

Some of September's most important work involved recovering ghost nets, the abandoned fishing gear that keeps drifting and trapping sea turtles, fish, and other animals long after it's been lost. Crews also tackled critical beach cleanups and kept up their efforts to keep rivers clear because catching trash in the rivers is one of the best ways to keep it out of the ocean entirely.

So far, 4ocean Foundation has removed 7,717,216 pounds of trash and plastic out of the ocean, a milestone made possible by our incredible community. Thank you to every ocean advocate whose support keeps this work going and helps protect the ocean and the planet we all share.

Rivers are at the heart of our mission, and here's why: More than 1,000 rivers account for 80% of the plastic that rivers carry into the ocean each year.

Rivers connect our communities to the ocean, and plastic and trash that enter these waterways can be carried downstream and eventually out to sea.

That's why these crews don't just work along the coast. They head inland to protect the rivers they rely on for swimming, growing their food, and natural flood protection. Between cleanups, the river booms stay hard at work, catching floating trash and holding it until crews can haul it out, all while letting the water flow freely.

Stopping trash at the source means cleaner rivers, healthier communities, and a healthier ocean. This World Rivers Day, show some love to the river closest to you and help keep it clean!

Within each cleanup crew is a group of dedicated members working to protect the ocean that connects us all.

No matter what challenges arise at a cleanup site, they gear up and get to work, knowing their efforts protect their local community and the planet.

Each face represents someone striving to leave a better planet for the next generation, someone who understands the importance of keeping our waterways clean. Because they know it's not just about removing waste, it's about giving back to the ecosystems and natural areas that give so much to us every day.

Help this crew continue the fight against plastic pollution and protect the ocean that connects us all at 4oceanfoundation.org/donate

This International Coastal Cleanup Day, take impact into your own hands.

No matter where litter starts out, it usually finds its way to the ocean through storm drains, rivers, and streams. The shoreline is one of the last checkpoints before trash disappears into the sea, and once it's in the water, it becomes much more difficult to recover. From there, it can travel hundreds of miles, harming marine life and ecosystems far from where it started.

The good news? Every piece of litter removed is one less piece that makes that journey.

Today, take a moment to look after the places around you. Grab a bag, bring a friend, and clean up a beach, a park, a street, or even your own backyard.

So get out there, get your hands a little dirty, and be part of the solution. The ocean will thank you.

While you’re out there, take a picture and tag us for a chance to be featured on our stories!