Alexei Volkov
The world is currently facing a plastic crisis, with plastic debris in the ocean upsetting the ecosystem and killing marine life. While there are many organisations attempting to clean up the oceans, one unique way of contributing to the cause is by purchasing a plastic bracelet. Ocean cleanup bracelets are made from recycled plastic and glass, and the proceeds from each sale go towards funding cleanups and supporting organisations dedicated to removing plastic from the ocean. Each bracelet sold funds the removal of one pound of trash from the ocean and coastlines. By wearing these bracelets, individuals can also raise awareness about plastic pollution and show their support for a critical global effort.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| CleanSea Bracelet | Removes 1 kilo of trash from the ocean |
| 4Ocean Bracelet | Removes 1 pound of trash from the ocean |
| Save the Ocean Bracelet | Supports organisations like The Ocean Cleanup |
| Bead the Change Bracelet | Made from recycled glass bottles and plastic water bottles |
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What You'll Learn
How do plastic bracelets work?
CleanSea bracelets are made from recycled plastic water bottles and are part of a subscription service. Each bracelet funds the removal of 1kg of trash from the ocean, with 95% of the trash being plastic. The money from the bracelets goes towards funding cleanups, paying wages for the cleanup teams, gear, and transportation to cleanup sites. CleanSea removes trash from the ocean in three ways: coastal cleanups, which keep the coastline clean, protect coastal marine life, and prevent trash from returning to the ocean; using the ocean's natural currents; and creating a passive drifting system, which they predict can clean up half of the Great Pacific Garbage Patch within the next five years.
Bead the Change is another company that sells bracelets to support the cleanup of the ocean. They donate 10% of the proceeds from each bracelet to The Ocean Cleanup, a non-profit organisation with a mission to save marine wildlife by removing plastic debris from the ocean. Their bracelets are made from recycled plastic and glass bottles, with the adjustable cord being made from recycled plastic water bottles.
Plastic Bank also offers a subscription service with their Nautical Anchor bracelet. They have a global impact, transforming plastic waste into currency and empowering communities. They work in tandem with the international community's ambitious Plastic Treaty, aiming to reshape the world's relationship with plastic to safeguard marine ecosystems.
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How much plastic do they remove?
The amount of plastic removed from the ocean through the sale of plastic bracelets varies depending on the organization selling them. For example, CleanSea bracelets fund the removal of 1 kilo (2 pounds) of trash from the ocean. Their goal is to pull 20,000 kilos of ocean plastic from Sweden's coastline every year. CleanSea removes ocean trash through coastal cleanups, which help keep the coastline clean, protect coastal marine life, and prevent trash from returning to the ocean.
Similarly, Dorsal bracelets claim to remove one pound of ocean plastic with every purchase.
On the other hand, 4Ocean bracelets have helped clean close to 9 million pounds of trash from the ocean since 2017. They aim to remove over 1 million pounds of waste from the Rio Motagua and the Central American Atlantic within the first year. To achieve this, they plan to employ local workers, use trash-collecting vessels, and install a boom collection system at larger river mouths to reduce the amount of junk entering the ocean.
Other organizations, such as Bead the Change, sell bracelets to support nonprofit organizations like The Ocean Cleanup, which has developed advanced technologies to remove plastic waste from the ocean using the ocean's natural currents. They have created a passive drifting system, which they predict can clean up half of the Great Pacific Garbage Patch within five years. Bead the Change donates 10% of the proceeds from each bracelet purchase to The Ocean Cleanup.
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What are bracelets made from?
Bracelets are ornamental bands or chains worn around the wrist. They can be made from a wide variety of materials, including metals, leather, beads, enamel, cloth, plastic, and even human hair.
In Western jewellery, bracelets are most commonly made from metals like gold or sterling silver. They can also be made from other elements, including wood, leather, beads, or enamel. Bracelets made from elastic fabric or spandex material are typically sublimation-printed with colourful designs and are reversible. First created and popularised by Zox in the early 2010s, they have become more popular in the past decade. Bracelets can also be made from connecting or linking various or similar components or jewellery findings. Link bracelets can be made of a variety of materials, including metals and gemstones. Penannular, meaning an incomplete circle, has been a very common form for bracelets, especially those made in a single piece of a slightly flexible material such as metal or plastic. It is particularly popular in gold.
In India, the patwa (jewellery maker) often creates bracelets from braiding, knotting, twisting, or wrapping yarns made of cotton, silk, wool, or metallic fibres. Bangles, or rigid bracelets, are usually made from metal, wood, or plastic and can be smooth, textured, or set with stones. In India, glass bangles are common, and they are often handcrafted and worn in groups to create a gracious sound when they move. Friendship bracelets are usually made from loose beads with a centre hole connected by a string or elastic band. Most often, they are made with wooden beads, plastic, glass, or even crystal beads.
Some organisations sell bracelets to fund ocean cleanups and raise awareness about plastic pollution. These bracelets are often made from recycled materials, such as glass beads made from recycled glass bottles and cords made from recycled plastic water bottles.
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Do they create more plastic waste?
The production of plastic bracelets to fund ocean clean-up operations has raised concerns about greenwashing and the potential for these initiatives to create more plastic waste. While the intention behind these campaigns is commendable, it is important to scrutinize their overall impact on the environment.
One of the key concerns is the potential for greenwashing in the marketing and promotion of these bracelets. Greenwashing refers to the practice of making misleading or exaggerated claims about the environmental benefits of a product or service. Some organizations selling ocean clean-up bracelets may overstate the impact of purchasing these items, suggesting that simply buying a bracelet is enough to make a significant difference. In reality, addressing the plastic waste crisis in our oceans requires systemic changes and collective action beyond individual consumer choices.
To assess whether these initiatives create more plastic waste, it is essential to examine the materials used in the bracelets and the production processes involved. Some organizations, such as Bead the Change, prioritize the use of recycled materials in their bracelets. For example, they use recycled glass bottles to create beads and recycled plastic water bottles for the adjustable cords. By utilizing existing materials, they reduce the demand for newly mined resources and help prevent more waste from ending up in landfills and oceans. This approach aligns with the principles of circular economy, aiming to minimize waste and promote sustainability.
However, not all jewelry-making practices are eco-friendly. Conventional jewelry production often involves the use of non-recycled materials, harmful chemicals, and unethical labor practices, resulting in a significant environmental footprint. Additionally, there is a risk that the production and marketing of these bracelets may unintentionally contribute to green consumerism. Green consumerism refers to the idea that consumers can address environmental issues solely through their purchasing choices, neglecting the need for broader systemic changes. While buying a bracelet made from recycled materials is a step in the right direction, it should be just one part of a larger strategy to reduce plastic waste and protect our oceans.
To make a more substantial impact, individuals can complement their bracelet purchases with other actions. This includes reducing single-use plastic consumption, supporting organizations advocating for systemic change, and advocating for legislation that addresses plastic pollution at its source. By combining individual actions with collective efforts, we can create a more sustainable future and ensure that initiatives like ocean clean-up bracelets have a net positive effect on the environment.
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What organisations do they support?
The sale of plastic bracelets is one method that organisations are using to fund their ocean-cleaning efforts. The bracelets themselves are often made from recycled materials, such as recycled glass bottles and plastic water bottles. The funds raised from the sale of these bracelets go towards clean-up operations, transportation, gear, and wages for clean-up teams.
CleanSea
CleanSea is on a mission to stop ocean plastic from harming marine life and keep coastlines clean. Their subscription model allows subscribers to receive a new seasonal bracelet every four months, with each bracelet funding the removal of one kilo of trash from the ocean. CleanSea has set a goal to pull 20,000 kilos of ocean plastic from Sweden's coastline each year.
4Ocean
4Ocean is a community-driven organisation that sells bracelets made from 100% recycled materials, including recovered ocean plastic cord and recycled stainless steel. The sale of each bracelet funds the removal of one pound of trash from the coastlines and oceans. 4Ocean works closely with various clean-up organisations, including Silent World Dive Center, Coral Cay Conservation Expeditions, Surfrider Foundation, and The Plastic Bank.
Bead the Change
Bead the Change sells Ocean Cleanup Bracelets to support organisations like The Ocean Cleanup, which aims to rid the oceans of plastic debris and save marine wildlife. They donate 10% of the proceeds from each bracelet purchase to The Ocean Cleanup. The bracelets are made from recycled plastic materials, with beads crafted from recycled glass bottles.
MBRC the Ocean
MBRC the Ocean works with volunteers to clean up beaches and ocean fronts, empower local communities, and raise awareness about sustainability, environmental issues, and recycling. They create exclusive products, such as bracelets made from recycled ocean plastic, to support their mission of ending ocean plastic pollution.
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Frequently asked questions
Each bracelet purchased funds the removal of trash from the ocean and coastlines. The money from the sales of the bracelets is used to fund cleanups, pay wages for cleanup teams, gear, and transportation to cleanup sites.
The bracelets are made from recycled materials. The beads are made from recycled glass bottles, and the cord is made from recycled plastic water bottles.
There are several organizations with their own bracelets, including 4Ocean, CleanSea, and Bead the Change. These organizations are dedicated to cleaning up the ocean and raising awareness about plastic pollution.
