At Azenco Outdoor, our commitment to ocean conservation remains at the core of our environmental initiatives. For the second consecutive year, we have successfully fulfilled our pledge to remove 25,000 pounds of ocean-bound plastic and debris, a monumental achievement that would not have been possible without the hard work of our partner, 4ocean. This collaboration underscores the importance of corporate responsibility in addressing global environmental issues, particularly the alarming levels of plastic pollution threatening marine life.
Through a series of organized cleanup missions in locations notorious for plastic debris, we have made significant progress in reducing plastic waste in vulnerable ecosystems. Together with 4ocean, we are proud to continue this vital work and move closer to a cleaner, healthier ocean.
Previous Cleanup Efforts
Our journey to fulfill this year’s 25,000-pound pledge began with a series of highly effective cleanup missions earlier this year. These missions allowed us to make steady progress, contributing significantly to our overall goal.
In January through March 2024, we kicked off the year’s efforts with a sizable mission. A dedicated crew of 20 people worked across four locations in Indonesia, Bali, Rio Bomo Beach, and the Ijo Gading River, collecting a total of 6,874 pounds of debris. This mission alone accounted for 27% of our annual pledge and laid a solid foundation for the rest of the year.
Following that, in April 2024, we launched our second cleanup initiative in honor of Earth Day. Once again, a 20-person crew was deployed, focusing on locations such as Denpasar, Air Kuning Beach, and Jembrana. During this mission, we successfully collected 6,481.09 pounds of debris, bringing our total to 53% of the pledged amount. This Earth Day cleanup highlighted the significance of coordinated efforts in tackling plastic pollution and garnered attention for its environmental impact.
The next major milestone came in June 2024, aligning with World Oceans Day. A slightly smaller crew of 18 people worked diligently across two key locations, Bali Medewi and Bali Jembrana, removing 5,257.97 pounds of plastic waste. By the conclusion of this mission, we had reached 74% of our annual pledge, marking substantial progress and reaffirming our commitment to sustaining these efforts year-round.
September Cleanup Missions
The final push to achieve our 100% pledge came in September 2024, when we embarked on four crucial cleanups across Indonesia, targeting both Bali and Java. These missions were carefully planned to maximize impact in some of the most polluted areas. Over the course of the month, we successfully removed 6,522.21 pounds of debris, pushing us over the finish line and fulfilling our 25,000-pound pledge.
Mission 1: Bali Jembrana Fleet
Our first mission in September took place in Bali Jembrana, where a team of nine worked tirelessly to collect 2,106.57 pounds of plastic waste. This area, often hit hard by ocean currents that bring in waste from nearby regions, required meticulous planning and coordinated efforts. Despite the challenging conditions, our team managed to clear a significant amount of debris, contributing greatly to our overall success.
Mission 2: Banyuwangi Bago River
Mission 3: Java Beach
The third mission took place at Java Beach, where a crew of seven worked to clear a substantial portion of debris. During this effort, the team collected 1,389.46 pounds of plastic and 761.65 pounds of non-plastic waste. Beaches like Java Beach are particularly vulnerable to plastic accumulation due to the tides and currents that continuously bring in new waste. The mission not only cleared the area of visible debris but also raised awareness among local communities about the importance of waste reduction and recycling.
Mission 4: Java River Boom 1
Our final mission, at Java River Boom 1, showcased the effectiveness of river booms in capturing debris before it reaches the ocean. With a small but dedicated crew of three, we managed to collect 273.59 pounds of plastic. While smaller in scale, this mission demonstrated how strategically placed river booms can act as barriers to prevent plastic from flowing into the sea, providing a valuable tool for future conservation efforts.
Achieving the 100% Pledge
We are immensely grateful for the tireless efforts of everyone involved. Without the commitment of the 4ocean teams, our mission to protect marine environments from plastic pollution would not have been possible.
Conclusion: A Collective Triumph
Meeting our 25,000-pound pledge for the second consecutive year is more than just a statisticāitās a testament to the power of collective action and long-term commitment. Each cleanup, each pound of debris collected, represents a step towards a healthier ocean and a more sustainable future.
As we celebrate this achievement, we remain steadfast in our commitment to ocean conservation. Looking ahead, we will continue to expand our partnership with 4ocean, exploring new ways to increase our impact and engage even more people in this critical mission.
We encourage everyone, whether individuals or businesses, to join us in supporting ongoing efforts to reduce ocean-bound plastic. Together, we can make a differenceāone cleanup at a time.
