--- title: 4ocean Charitable Foundation --- [Skip to content](https://4oceanfoundation.org/mission#main-content) [![Copy of 4O_Foundation_Logo_Stacked_White(1)](https://4oceanfoundation.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Copy%20of%204O_Foundation_Logo_Stacked_White(1).png?width=6758&height=2291&name=Copy%20of%204O_Foundation_Logo_Stacked_White(1).png) ![Copy of 4O_Foundation_Logo_Stacked_White(1)](https://4oceanfoundation.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Copy%20of%204O_Foundation_Logo_Stacked_White(1).png?width=6758&height=2291&name=Copy%20of%204O_Foundation_Logo_Stacked_White(1).png)](https://4oceanfoundation.org/4ocean-charatible-foundation) - [OUR MISSION](https://4oceanfoundation.org/mission) - [OUR IMPACT](https://4oceanfoundation.org/our-impact) - [ABOUT](https://4oceanfoundation.org/about) Show submenu for ABOUT - [Impact Partners](https://4oceanfoundation.org/impact-partners) - [CONTACT](https://4oceanfoundation.org/contact) Open main navigation Close main navigation - [OUR MISSION](https://4oceanfoundation.org/mission) - [OUR IMPACT](https://4oceanfoundation.org/our-impact) - [ABOUT](https://4oceanfoundation.org/about) Show submenu for ABOUT - [Impact Partners](https://4oceanfoundation.org/impact-partners) - [CONTACT](https://4oceanfoundation.org/contact) - [DONATE NOW](https://4oceanfoundation.org/donate) Open search Close search [DONATE NOW](https://4oceanfoundation.org/donate) This is a search field with an auto-suggest feature attached. - There are no suggestions because the search field is empty. # OUR MISSION Create a world free from plastic pollution. ## Mission Statement 4ocean Foundation is dedicated to ending plastic pollution by cleaning our ocean, rivers, and coastlines, tackling the growing threat of microplastics, and empowering communities through education and awareness. ### Our Vision is Clear A world free from plastic pollution, where the ocean thrives and future generations inherit a healthier planet. [DONATE TODAY](https://4oceanfoundation.org/donate) ![DSC09195](https://4oceanfoundation.org/hs-fs/hubfs/DSC09195.jpg?width=296&height=197&name=DSC09195.jpg "DSC09195") ![Baby sea turtle entering a clean ocean](https://4oceanfoundation.org/hs-fs/hubfs/why%20we%20clean%202-2.webp?width=300&height=197&name=why%20we%20clean%202-2.webp "Baby sea turtle entering a clean ocean") ![Mangrove tree in clean water](https://4oceanfoundation.org/hs-fs/hubfs/why%20we%20clean%203-2.webp?width=300&height=197&name=why%20we%20clean%203-2.webp "Mangrove tree in clean water") ![why we clean 1](https://4oceanfoundation.org/hs-fs/hubfs/why%20we%20clean%201.webp?width=300&height=197&name=why%20we%20clean%201.webp "why we clean 1") [![mangrove trees in clean water](https://4oceanfoundation.org/hs-fs/hubfs/why%20we%20clean%203-2.webp?width=661&height=435&name=why%20we%20clean%203-2.webp)](https://4oceanfoundation.org/hubfs/why%20we%20clean%203-2.webp) [![4ocean team cleaning the ocean](https://4oceanfoundation.org/hs-fs/hubfs/why%20we%20clean%201.webp?width=661&height=435&name=why%20we%20clean%201.webp)](https://4oceanfoundation.org/hubfs/why%20we%20clean%201.webp) [![4ocean team in Bali educating the local children](https://4oceanfoundation.org/hs-fs/hubfs/why%20we%20clean%201-2.webp?width=661&height=435&name=why%20we%20clean%201-2.webp)](https://4oceanfoundation.org/hubfs/why%20we%20clean%201-2.webp) [![baby sea turtle entering the clean ocean](https://4oceanfoundation.org/hs-fs/hubfs/why%20we%20clean%202-2.webp?width=661&height=435&name=why%20we%20clean%202-2.webp)](https://4oceanfoundation.org/hubfs/why%20we%20clean%202-2.webp) ## Why We Clean Our lives are deeply connected to the ocean, it is one of the most vital ecosystems on Earth. Covering more than 70% of the planet’s surface, the ocean generates a significant portion of the oxygen we breathe and sustains countless forms of life. It's where we work, unwind, connect with nature, and feel truly alive. Plastic pollution is a dual threat.  Existing plastic is a significant threat to marine life and ecosystems however, when plastic photodegrades (breaks down) one plastic water bottle can turn into millions of pieces of microplastic.  Microplastic pollution is exponentially threatening the health of every living being on our planet. Seeing our ocean, rivers, and coastlines polluted with plastic, wildlife struggling to survive, and communities losing their livelihoods - that’s what fuels our mission. We clean to protect the people and places we love. Not just for today, but for every generation to come.  ### More than 18 billion pounds of plastic enter the ocean each year and it's our mission to stop it one pound at a time. Parker, L. (2019, June 7). *Plastic pollution facts and information*. [National Geographic.](https://www.nationalgeographic.com/science/article/plastics-facts-infographics-ocean-pollution) ## The Last Straw Starts With You.  Every day, an estimated 500 million plastic straws are used in the United States alone - enough to circle the Earth more than twice. Most of these end up in landfills or the ocean, where they can take hundreds of years to break down and often harm marine life in the process. The good news is that with just a little awareness and effort, each of us can make a meaningful difference.  [DONATE TODAY](https://4oceanfoundation.org/donate) ![single use plastics (1)](https://4oceanfoundation.org/hubfs/single%20use%20plastics%20(1).webp "single use plastics (1)") ## Your Support Makes A Difference Together, we can create a world free from ocean plastic. $25 $50 $100 Other Amount Donate Monthly One-time Donation DONATE 4ocean Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. (EIN 88-2694307) Donations and contributions are tax-deductible as allowed by law. [Learn about other payment information](https://4oceanfoundation.org/donate).   [![Copy of 4O_Foundation_Logo_Stacked_White(1)](https://4oceanfoundation.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Copy%20of%204O_Foundation_Logo_Stacked_White(1).png?width=6758&height=2291&name=Copy%20of%204O_Foundation_Logo_Stacked_White(1).png "Copy of 4O_Foundation_Logo_Stacked_White(1)")](https://4oceanfoundation.com) Stay connected with our latest initiatives by following, liking, and sharing our journey on social media. Every click helps amplify our unified mission to protect and restore our ocean - thank you for being part of the movement! - [OUR MISSION](https://4oceanfoundation.org/mission) - [OUR IMPACT](https://4oceanfoundation.org/our-impact) - [ABOUT](https://4oceanfoundation.org/about) - [Impact Partners](https://4oceanfoundation.org/impact-partners) - [CONTACT](https://4oceanfoundation.org/contact) [![1ftp_EnvironmentalPartner_Vertical_White](https://4oceanfoundation.org/hs-fs/hubfs/1ftp_EnvironmentalPartner_Vertical_White.png?width=75&height=98&name=1ftp_EnvironmentalPartner_Vertical_White.png "1ftp_EnvironmentalPartner_Vertical_White")](https://onepercentfortheplanet.org) [![Alex Schulze - 4ocean Charitable Foundation](https://4oceanfoundation.org/hs-fs/hubfs/alex.webp?width=65&height=70&name=alex.webp "Alex Schulze - 4ocean Charitable Foundation")](https://4oceanfoundation.com/about) **A MESSAGE FROM OUR CO-FOUNDER** Thank you so much for supporting our critical mission. Without people like you, we would not be able to remove millions of pounds of plastic from our ocean, rivers, and coastlines. We have a lot of work to do, but we are not going to stop until the ocean is clean. Together, we can end the ocean plastic crisis. Yewww!!! - Alex Schulze Copyright ©2025 4ocean Charitable Foundation. All rights reserved. - Terms of use - Privacy policy