The oceans have become so polluted that a lot of our seafood has been found to contain microplastics, which are basically small pieces of plastic that are consumed and digested by marine life. These microplastics derive from plastic waste that makes its way into our oceans and contaminates numerous ecosystems.
Cleaning the oceans is so much more than picking up trash. There need to be more companies that are willing to gather this plastic debris and will repurpose it to everyday products that are being consumed. We need to stop making new material and reuse the copious amounts of plastic and fabric that are quite literally floating all around us.
Although there are plenty of organizations that are focused on cleaning our beaches and recycling the material, all their efforts are useless if consumers do not become more aware of the materials that they're investing in.
These are a couple of companies that have shifted their mission to create a more sustainable world by depolluting our oceans and repurposing plastic waste:
Method.
Method is a soap company that created the "world's first bottle made with ocean plastic." This product can be found at Whole Foods Market and Grove Collaborative.
Bureo.
Bureo is on a mission to protect the ocean by using derelict fishing nets to create a variety of products like sunglasses, skateboards, Jenga sets, and so many other cool products.
Outerknown.
Outerknown is on a mission to craft sustainable and stylish clothes for men and women.
4ocean.
4ocean has become very popular for its infamous bracelets that are made from 100% post-consumer plastic bottles.
United by blue.
United by blue has been reported to have removed over 2.2 million pounds of trash from our oceans and coastlines. Not only do they create sustainable apparel and products, but they also get their hands dirty and organize beach cleanups in efforts to mobilize their community and clean our beaches!