Recover 5 Million Pounds of Ocean Plastic

Hello friend,

Ocean Blue Project is thrilled to share with everyone our progress and ambitious goals as we continue our mission to protect our one world ocean and coastlines. Our Plastic Disaster Relief Program has made significant strides in the fight against plastic pollution, especially in areas affected by natural disasters and ongoing environmental challenges.

As we establish our presence in the Chesapeake Bay area, we are acutely aware of the critical role this watershed plays in the health of our oceans. The Chesapeake Bay, the largest estuary in the United States, supports an incredible diversity of marine life and serves as a natural filter for water flowing into the Atlantic Ocean. Our team has been actively engaged in assessing and addressing the pressing issues of pollution and illegal dumping along the bay's extensive shoreline.

One of the most alarming findings from our assessments is the prevalence of plastic debris and other pollutants in the Chesapeake Bay area. Our dedicated staff has been working tirelessly to combat this issue, conducting cleanups along tributaries and shorelines. In 2024 alone, we have removed an impressive 308,200 pounds of debris from this region, significantly contributing to our overall cleanup efforts.

While our "Create a Cleanup" program continues to be a vital component of our education and leadership development efforts, engaging volunteers across the US, the majority of the debris removal in the Chesapeake Bay area is carried out by our dedicated Ocean Blue team members. This staff-led initiative requires substantial funding to cover the costs of equipment, storage and sorting facilities, and to support the team who works tirelessly on the ground and in the water to make this program a success.

In 2023, Ocean Blue Project achieved a remarkable milestone, surpassing our goal of removing 1 million pounds of plastic and debris from U.S. beaches and waterways. Building on this success, we set an even more ambitious target of removing 5 million pounds of plastic and debris by 2026. 

We are proud to report that as of September 26, 2024, we have removed a total of 1,648,124 pounds, with 479,808 pounds removed in 2024 alone. This puts us at 32.96% of our 5 million pound goal, demonstrating significant progress towards our objective.

To further our mission, Ocean Blue Project is working on establishing a new facility in Lottsburg, Virginia. This location will serve as a staging facility for sorting debris for upcycling projects and an education center to engage youth through our OBP Blue Schools program, which has been recognized as a Green Citizen Project by UNESCO. This development will not only enhance our operational capabilities but also significantly lower our costs by reducing rent expenses.

As we move forward, we face several challenges in reaching our 5 million pound goal:

1. Funding for a vessel to increase our capacity and impact in water-based cleanups.
2. Development of our recently acquired property in Lottsburg, Virginia.
3. Obtaining multi-year grants to secure job positions for program coordinators, necessary for expanding our reach and impact.

As we continue our efforts in 2024, we invite you to join us in our mission to protect and preserve our oceans. Your support is vital to the success of our programs, and we are deeply grateful for your commitment to ocean stewardship. Together, we can work towards a cleaner, healthier, and more sustainable future for our One World Ocean.

Thank you for being an integral part of the Ocean Blue Project family. With your continued support, we are confident in our ability to reach our goals and make a lasting impact on the health of our oceans and waterways.

Warm regards, 

Karisa Arterbury

Driector of Operations + Development

www.oceanblueproject.org

Links:

• Microplastic Solutions